Questions about becoming a psychologist?
Hi
I’m thinking of studying psychology and curious about what being a clinical psychologist is actually like, and whether it’d be worth changing my career choice at this point and what you think of my motivations and experience.
A bit about me: I’m 25, have masters in philosophy (ethics), and have always been interested in the mind and about psychotherapy. I like ethics, but I want to be able to help individuals rather than the more removed application of philosophy for policies etc. Basically, I’d like to use the things I have learned in philosophy, in a psychological setting where I can help people one-on-one.
1. Do most people start their own practice?
2. What kind of problems are most common to deal with?
3. Does it get draining dealing with people’s very intense emotional problems all day every day?
4. Is it necessary to do a PhD?
5. Would my experience and education thus far be useful? I’m not particularly "scientifically" minded, though philosophy has trained me to be logical and focused, but would it be a major problem if statistics isn’t my strong point? For example, someone told me the ideal prep is "pre-med" but I am terrible at chemistry and mathematics..
6. What would be some good ways of getting experience to see if I like the field before I invest another 6 years and lots of money on more study?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Posted in psychiatrist career
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June 8th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
1. Not typically right away. After you’ve completed your doctoral work and your year-long APA approved internship, you still have to log 1-3 years of full time, post-doctoral supervised experience before you are eligible for licensure (# of years varies by state). You’ll also have to pass the EPPP. Until you’re licensed, you usually work for a larger organization (e.g., a hospital, a university).
2. Depression and anxiety
3. It can. Of course, dealing with people-related problems can be taxing in any profession. How you handle it is really a personality-based variable rather than a profession-based one.
4. Yes. You will require a doctoral degree if you want to be licensed as a psychologist. This means either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. If you have little/no interest in teaching and research, the best route for you is probably the Psy.D.
5. If you go the Ph.D. route, the lack of a science/research background could be problematic. Not so much so if you go the Psy.D. route. Stats in Ph.D. programs are pretty hard core, as are the other research components.
6. Try working as a "psych tech" (this position goes by many names, but it’s basically grunt work on a psych floor of a med/surg hospital or a unit of a psych hospital).
Good luck with your decision,
~Dr. B.~