Behind the scenes with Chris McMorris, Healthcare Assessment Representative

What led you to Pearson?

My passion for Pearson and assessment — especially clinical assessment — stems from what the tools can do and how they help our customers and their clients. Our customers’ clients are our ultimate customer. If we can help improve their lives, it's a win-win for all of us. So, about that passion... I'm a helper by nature, and I always tell people that my career here at Pearson is my ministry and when you have that, everything else falls into place.

“It's my ministry, it’s not just a job. It’s bigger than us.”

What’s your perspective on the importance of mental health and wellness?

I wish we could meet the needs of all who are struggling with mental health around the world. There is a shortage of people in this profession; there simply aren’t enough people to address everyone’s needs. We don't focus solely on promoting our tests, we are promoting the field of psychology as a whole so that we can continue to meet the needs of people who are struggling with their mental health. We need to recruit more young people to go into the field of psychology!

When I was first hired, I was introduced to the MMPI® (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), and as I learned more about it, I became more and more interested in mental health. Part of that learning process was recognizing the stigma that exists about mental health — especially in the African American community. When people need help, it’s very common to seek it out through their local community and religious leaders rather than through qualified professionals. This is another reason I’ve stayed with Pearson, to show my community that whatever you may be struggling with, we need to seek help from professionals who understand what mental health is all about and how to help you through it.

What’s the most exciting feedback you get from clinicians?

It’s when my customers say, “I love your tools”. Years ago, we published an assessment to measure suicidal orientation and a customer of mine called in to learn more about it. He was looking for an assessment to measure suicidal risk, and we provided a free copy to see if that particular assessment would fit within his practice.

A few days later he called me back and said, “Hey, that tool helped me save the life of a child!” I will never forget that call! When I get frustrated with the day-to-day, I always know one thing: when I'm out there talking to my customers, especially one-on-one, those relationships bring me back to why I'm still here — it's my ministry, it’s not just a job. It’s bigger than us.

Do you think there is a misconception about Pearson?

One of the things that I would say is that Pearson is big, but we also have these very intimate business units, one of which is Clinical Assessment. The work that we do is as intimate as it is important, so many people that work with me have been here for dozens of years and are passionate about what they do. Like me, for example — my 28 years with Pearson tells you something!

Why should people choose Pearson and not one of your competitors?

This is a very competitive industry with many good products from many good vendors. Like other industries, people get most of their information from the internet and word of mouth before they ever even talk to us. That’s what makes what I do so important. You’re not only getting a great product, but you’re getting me — it’s a package deal. One of the things I tell my customers is that we’re all in this together. We are partners. If we continue building these valuable relationships, it will inherently lead to us living in a better society.

How do you stay excited after 28 years and what would you share with someone new to the field?

I think the future of our field is bright! There will of course be some roadblocks, but we've got great people and we're here to help. We’re on this earth to build and foster relationships with one another, so if we can think in those terms and pass on our passion for improving lives, that’s the ultimate reward.

Chris' picks

Tools that Chris is loving right now

MACI®-II

Brief and easy to administer, the MACI-II keeps the challenges of today’s youth in mind to assess personality patters, expressed concerns, and clinical symptoms.

MMPI-3

A contemporary personality assessment for mental health, medical, forensic, and public safety settings, the MMPI®-3 builds on the history and strengths of the MMPI® instruments to provide an empirically validated, psychometrically up-to-date standard for psychological assessment.

Professional assessments

Digital solutions

Other assessment types

Featured topics

Training

Research

Webinars & Blogs

Ordering

Account information

Manage orders

Contact us

Behind the scenes with Chris McMorris, Healthcare Assessment Representative

“It's my ministry, it’s not just a job. It’s bigger than us.”

Chris' picks

Tools that Chris is loving right now

MACI®-II

MMPI-3

More connections

SHOP ASSESSMENTS

LEGAL POLICIES

HELP & SUPPORT

ABOUT PEARSON