How to Become a Clinical Psychologist 

hi, sure! depends on the type of job. are you looking for hospital, private practice, community mental health, inpatient, prison, forensic, etc? that may help me narrow it down. thanks for your q!

@@drkristencasey could you do prison, community mental health, forensic, and hospital please? That would be really cool! :)

thank you for your kind words, and you're welcome!

good luck! you got this. update us if you feel comfortable, and so glad the videos have been helpful!

@@drkristencasey I wanted to report back and say I got into my #1 program of choice and I cannot be more thrilled🥳 I start next fall. Thank you so much for your wonderful advice! Love the videos😊

@@mckennaham848 thrilled to hear this mckenna! thanks for updating us and welcome to the field!

i'm so glad! thanks for commenting

hows your program going!

@@drkristencasey its going okayy haha

it has been a very difficult adjustment and I don't really like my cohort too much. and I really hatteee my intellectual assessment class. But other than that, I'm learning a lot and my professors are awesome. I'm also not getting any experience at my practicum site (a private practice) but that's okay because I am applying for new sites for my second year.

thank-you for checking in :)

Hi Megan, may I ask which psyd program are you enrolled in?

so good to know! thanks for commenting

Did you go with a BA or a BS ??

so glad they’re helpful! such a good idea. treating disorders can look different depending on the clients goals - i can probably be general if that might help!

absolutely, what questions do you have?

I'm going to take a look! I don't know of any, but I do know a few students who have visas to work in the US and do an internship here. That's the extent of my knowledge - I hope this helps!

Exactly same here with the same question

hi thanks for your q! i'm not a neuropsychologist so not qualified to answer this but so glad you asked!

so glad! i’ll be posting more in 2023 so great timing 🫶🏼 to be honest, there’s no “right” way to gain experience. i’ve noticed that working in any job that involves people can help. for example, i had a friend who worked in retail before becoming a psychologist. it helped him with conflict resolution skills and how to manage experiences on the fly. another option is to work in direct patient care, or volunteering at a shelter (there’s a huge need there!). hope this helps!

hey john! so glad you commented, thanks for being here. choosing a research topic can certainly be overwhelming to say the least. how i chose a topic for my dissertation was to think about the topics i'm passionate about (for me it was the healthcare of graduate students). then, i did a quick search in google scholar to see what was already researched. then i tried to find the gap in the research (very important) - aka, what is missing from this research? from my own experience, my dissertation was on burnout among healthcare graduate students (v broad topic), so i tried to figure out, "what would healthcare graduate students need to reduce burnout?" i tried to think outside of the box for the things that have helped others... such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and nature exposure (aka my dissertation lol). so as you can see it started broad, then i tried to find the gap in research. it's also helpful to speak with faculty members or your professors to see if they have any ideas. my professors were crucial in helping me choose a topic. good luck, you got this!

Here are five themes in different topics, along with suggestions for potential orientations to help you develop them: Theme 1: Mental Health Stigma and Awareness Orientation: Investigate the impact of media portrayal on public attitudes towards mental illness and stigma reduction campaigns. You could examine the effectiveness of various anti-stigma interventions or explore cultural differences in stigma perception. Theme 2: Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Anxiety Disorders Orientation: Compare the efficacy of traditional in-person cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with virtual reality-based CBT for treating specific anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Theme 3: Parenting Styles and Child Development Orientation: Examine the relationship between different parenting styles (authoritative, permissive, authoritarian) and their effects on children's emotional regulation, self-esteem, and academic performance. Theme 4: Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth Orientation: Investigate factors that contribute to post-traumatic growth in individuals who have experienced significant trauma. Explore the role of resilience, social support, and coping strategies in fostering positive psychological outcomes after trauma. Theme 5: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Depression and Treatment Orientation: Compare cultural variations in the presentation and perception of depression symptoms across different societies. Investigate how cultural norms and values influence help-seeking behaviors and treatment preferences for individuals with depression. When developing these topics further, consider these steps: Literature Review: Conduct an in-depth review of existing literature to identify gaps in the research, controversies, and emerging trends related to your chosen theme. Research Question: Narrow down your topic by formulating a specific research question that addresses an unresolved issue or a gap in the current understanding of the field. Methodology: Decide on the research design, methods, and measures you will use to collect and analyze data. Consider whether quantitative or qualitative methods (or a combination) would be most suitable. Ethical Considerations: Address any ethical concerns that may arise from your research, particularly when working with human participants. Practicality: Ensure that your chosen research topic is feasible within the time frame and resources available for your Honours thesis. Contribution: Consider how your research can contribute to the field of clinical psychology, whether by advancing theoretical knowledge, informing clinical practice, or suggesting policy implications. Supervision: Consult with your thesis advisor or a mentor in the field to discuss your ideas, seek guidance, and refine your research proposal. Remember that your research topic should align with your interests, skills, and future career goals. It's also important to stay flexible and open to adjustments as you delve deeper into your chosen theme and begin the research process.

@@drkristencaseyI love that you give detailed explanations cause there is so much more to read and learn from your responses. Thank you!

love your thoughts here. and yes, i'm sure there's a difference in pay (i don't have much knowledge about software engineering but i'd assume software engineers make more than psychologists, especially when we think of student loans etc). for some, finding a job that is values-aligned is very important. for others, not so much. i usually suggest to search for psychologists "day in the life" and see if it aligns!

thanks! i may have made a video about a q&a regarding training etc. let me see if i can find it!

I'm not too sure! I know Canadian psychologists may have different credentials. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

Hmmm I do not! However, there is a facebook group called Location Independent therapists that you might find helpful: facebook.com/groups/693582137473760

hey how are you now?

Wow I’ve been an RBT a year as well and really wanted to apply for psy.d/phd program for year 2024

So sorry you had difficulty with admission

it depends on the hospital and what they require. some states in the US allow psychologists to operate at the master's level, but the training is a bit different i believe. not something i'm well-versed in knowing, but i think most hospitals look for a license (aka clinical psychologist license after taking the eppp, or another clinician with a master's, such as a lcsw)

Hey Michele! Great question, and yes. It can be a master's degree. LCSW, LMFT, and LPC are all master's level licenses. Hope this helps!

great question! i tried to work as a masters-level therapist my first year and couldn't do it. the program is really demanding (in my opinion). some people work part time, take out loans to live, or rely on family/partners for financial support. there may be other options, but it is pretty intensive. i hope this helps

In the US you can apply for a PsyD or PhD with a bachelors! Two suggestions (not sure how much this would apply, and I am sure you've already thought about this!) - call the schools you are potentially interested in for a PsyD to ensure they recognize your degree and to see if they require a master's for application. Hope this helps!!

great question! a postdoc depends on your state licensure laws. most of us need the extra hours from a formal postdoc to get licensed. however, there are states that don’t require a formal postdoc, like Arizona. you can work a regular job and gain hours if you needed it. hope this helps!

@@drkristencasey Thank you so much for the thoughtful response!

@@MayBeNotMae anytime! always here if you have questions. your questions can help someone else too! thanks for being here ❤️

great question! as long as you have a license to practice clinical psychology, there’s nothing technically limiting about a phd. phd and psyd clinical psychologists can essentially do the exact same thing. the graduate training may vary with emphasis on research, although i don’t feel that i was missing a ton of research opportunities by doing a psyd. i can only see a phd as a limiting factor when pursing psychology if it’s not a phd in clinical psychology (if the goal is to be able to practice of course). for example, to my knowledge - industrial organizational psychologists aren’t licensed as clinical psychologists, so that phd may limit you from practicing. hope this helps!

@@drkristencaseythank you! This helps

to my understanding, apa accreditation only applies to doctorate degrees (i could be wrong!). for a masters degree, cacrep is great, especially if you want to be licensed at the master's level

hi! i was going to get a masters in aba too, but went the psychology route. your psych hospital experience will serve you well if you go into clinical psychology. to become a clinical psychologist you'd have to apply to a PhD or PsyD program in Clinical Psychology. be sure to look out for apa-accredited programs

Hi Maggie, thanks for your question! Thanks for your service in the inpatient behavioral health unit. You have great experience and that will definitely be helpful as you apply. The master's programs that I typically suggest are CACREP accredited, because it helps for the masters-level licensure process if you decide to become an LPC. The type of masters program you attend depends on the type of license you'll want (LPC, clinical psychologist, LCSW, etc). I'd suggest doing a search for some schools that you are interested in and seeing their requirements. Some of them require basic Psychology 101 classes, but some prefer people in other fields, such as nursing. Good luck and keep us updated!

Transitioning from being a registered nurse on an inpatient behavioral health unit to becoming a therapist and pursuing a private practice is a commendable goal. While having a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) rather than a psychology degree may present some challenges, it is still possible to pursue a master's program in counseling or a related field. Many master's programs in counseling and therapy accept applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds. Admissions committees typically look for a combination of relevant experience, transferable skills, and a strong motivation to enter the field of counseling. Your nursing background can be a valuable asset, as it demonstrates your experience working with patients in a healthcare setting and your understanding of mental health issues. To increase your chances of being accepted into a master's program in counseling without a psychology degree, consider the following steps: Research Programs: Look for master's programs that offer a focus on counseling or therapy and are open to students from diverse academic backgrounds. Some programs may have specific prerequisites or offer bridge courses to help students from different disciplines catch up on foundational psychology knowledge. Prerequisite Courses: If a program requires specific psychology prerequisites, you might need to take a few courses to fulfill those requirements. Check with the program you're interested in to see if they offer any suggestions for fulfilling prerequisites. Highlight Transferable Skills: In your application, emphasize the transferable skills you have gained as a registered nurse, such as communication, empathy, active listening, and crisis intervention. These skills are highly relevant to the field of counseling. Personal Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that explains your motivation for transitioning into counseling, how your nursing background has prepared you for this change, and your long-term goals of establishing a private practice. Letters of Recommendation: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from supervisors, colleagues, or professionals who can speak to your abilities, work ethic, and potential for success in the counseling field. Experience: Highlight any experiences you've had that demonstrate your interest in counseling, such as volunteering, workshops, or courses related to therapy. Interview: Some programs may require an interview as part of the application process. Use this opportunity to articulate your passion for counseling and how your nursing background uniquely positions you to excel in the field. It's important to note that admission criteria can vary between programs, so research thoroughly and reach out to the admissions offices of the programs you're interested in to get specific information about their requirements and how they view applicants from non-psychology backgrounds. Ultimately, your determination, motivation, and commitment to your goal of becoming a therapist can be strong factors in your application. Your nursing experience brings a unique perspective to the field of counseling, and your desire to make a positive impact on individuals' mental health is a valuable asset.

hi jayhawkgirl! i ultimately decided to pursue psychology instead of ABA because i wanted to do psychological testing, assessment, and evaluation (something unique to clinical psychologist's training). i love aba, and think it has it's place, but it just wasn't for me and my goals at the time. hope this helps!

@@drkristencasey the reason I asked is because I was debating between ABA and School Psychology. I will go for psychology. Just saw your reply. Thank you 😄

great q - depends on your career goals. a psyd or phd in clinical psychology is required to become a clinical psychologist. we do evaluations, assessments, therapy, consultation, and more. there are masters programs available to become licensed as a therapist or counselor - this is usually geared toward people who want to do mostly therapy. however, masters-level clinicians can also work in hospitals doing other clinical things, like managing a clinic, providing supervision, and more

great question! my apa-accredited internship paid 27k a year and my post-doctoral fellowship (after you graduate) paid 50k. super transparent with numbers here because it helps people make decisions about whether this is right for them. during my internship i did have to pay tuition (about 35k). i hope the field changes this soon!

@@drkristencaseydo you know if these payment opportunities would be available to undocumented students without DACA or work-authorization?

it truly depends on the program you're applying to. if you look up programs you're interested in, be sure to see the requirements. im not sure how many schools are requiring the gre, but i do know some still do. hope this helps!

hi! midwestern u

@@drkristencasey thank you so much for the response! Does it really take 4 years? Do you have to go on campus every day! Can you work while you’re in school? Apologize for asking so many questions and thank you :)

@@maayisme thank you sm for asking! no need to apologize, that's why i have this channel :) when i attended, there was a 4 year accelerated program and a 5 year program. not sure how it's set up now. you might have practicum and classes, so you'd go to campus for classes (usually 1-2 days a week for the first year or two then once a week after that) and the practicum the other days (where you see clients and gain hands on clinical experience). your "job" is gaining hours for internship, and then during internship you're gaining hours for licensure. they discourage a job because nobody really has time for one. hope this helps!

Thank you soooo much :)

@@drkristencasey oh wow- I am a nurse in phx and have been looking into this school. Have been looking into both research as well as clinical psych and the ability to maybe one day teach at the graduate level- do you think all of these avenues are achievable through this program? I love academia but see the importance of clinical practice.

psychology!

Great question, it depends what you'd like to do with it! If you'd like to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the US at least, you'll need a degree from an APA-accredited university, or be sure that your classes and clinical activities/experiences during your doctorate will count for licensure in the state you are hoping to eventually get licensed in. As far as I know, there are no online-only APA accredited programs. Hope this helps!

Graduate Record Examinations :) www.ets.org/gre.html

no

This is usually done by psychiatrists, not psychologists. Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in treating mental health disorders.

Hi Steven! I'll check my email today and get back to you!

yes, you can do a phd right after bachelors you don’t necessarily need a masters. i’d check the program requirements on their website first 👏