How to Become a Clinical Psychologist
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- Опубліковано 15 сер 2022
- Here I talk about the path to become a clinical psychologist. Whether you're already in your doctorate program or considering applying, here are a few things you'll need to know! There are a few details you won't want to overlook.
I'll cover the admissions process requirements, internship, postdoc, that big test that everyone dreads (EPPP), and licensure requirements. I'll provide a few personal experiences along the way. Please note, this is from my own knowledge and experience. I may overlook a few things and some may not apply if you're applying to international programs or programs that aren't apa-accredited.
![So You Want to Be a PSYCHIATRIST [Ep. 18]](/img/n.gif)
Would you be able to make a video on what a day/job looks like for a clinical psychologist please? Your videos are so helpful!
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! :)
This was an awesome video! I recently decided to go back to school and get my masters in psych. I have my eye on LMFT and possibly child trauma/therapy. I had no idea what it would involve and it was so hard to find out this info. Lots of videos dance around the requirements and don't get as specific as you did. Unluckily for me, I live in California and we are not part of PSYPACT and no Universities around me even offer an APA accredited program for psyD. I'm bummed but wont be deterred. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos!!
Glad to see you again ☺️🙏
Thank you so much for making this video of your experiences, its really hard to figure this out, and congratulations on making it through😊
thank you for your kind words, and you're welcome!
Thank you, this is good information. I have an honours degree in psychology and so i now need to know how to move from that to a program that's eventually going to get me into counseling psychology.
Your videos are awesome and have helped me so much! I have an interview for a PsyD program this week so I will definitely be taking all of your advice since I’m so nervous lol
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!
Extremely helpful. Thank you
This is very informative, thank you
Informative video - I had no idea the EPPP was a thing or how supervision hours worked for licensure, so this video helped.
i'm so glad! thanks for commenting
Thank you for making this :) I am beginning my G1 PsyD in Clinical Psychology program Monday!!
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?
Just want to note that all of the advice given in this video is also applicable to counseling psychology :) As in, counseling and clinical psychology are pretty much the same! I applied to both APA accredited clinical and counseling psychology PsyD programs. I ultimately chose the counseling psych PsyD program for personal reasons, but both get you to your goal of becoming a psychologist. The only professional psychology field that differs a bit is school psychology.
so good to know! thanks for commenting
Did you go with a BA or a BS ??
I love your videos! I'm a licened MFT and feeling ineffective lately in my sessions. The video on the intake process was super helpful in organizing structure into the session. Could you possibly do more of those related to treating a disorder? Structuring sessions in general?
I appreciate you.
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!
Very helpful
..listening on the bus....
thank you!! your videos are so helpful, could you do a video with more info on the EPPP?
absolutely, what questions do you have?
I was waiting 💜
This video really did help me clear my mind that's been clouded ever since I laid my interest in Psy.D program. I'm not a citizen of US, so I would be grateful if you could help me with information's regarding Psy.D courses for international students. I look forward to watching the rest of your videos. Thank you
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!
You're back :) ! I'm in my 3rd year of B.S for psych right now. What do you say would be an important component to have when applying to neuropsychology programs?
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!
Thank you .
Good thanks.
Clearly consultant
Hey there, really enjoyed the video! i would love to get these as audio only, are you on audea?
Thank you so much
I just found your channel and I’m so glad I did! I also have a question, I’m still in high school and wanted to know what first jobs would help me out in learning or getting closer in psychology? ( my school doesn’t have psychology classes only law and criminal law which I’m taking)
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!
Thank you so much for mentioning whether your school is APA accredited. I was considering transferring because I thought getting a minor in neuroscience might strengthen my application, but looking more into the school I realize that they are not APA accredited.
Something else I was considering is getting an MSW after my bachelor's and getting a little bit more experience. Do you think that would help my chances more?
Hey Kristen, just found your channel and loving the content. I'm starting my Honours thesis this year, but struggling to come up with topics that I would want to conduct research on (let alone a specific research question). Just wondering if you have any tips with how to narrow down your focus and figure out a concept to write a thesis on, cheers.
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!
I am thinking of transitioning from being a software engineer to clinical psychologist. I know it’s sounds like a bad decision to leave my decent paying job but I realized my personality and values align perfectly with this field.
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!
Great video! I'm interested in going into clinical or counseling psychology but am not quite sure just yet. I'm about to get my bachelors out of the way and on my way to the masters and have a plethora of questions. I never do this and I know this is an unfitting question for UA-cam but is there anyway you'd be available to speak for about 15-20 mins about what's expected in the process(es) of becoming certified?
thanks! i may have made a video about a q&a regarding training etc. let me see if i can find it!
Im trying to find what I need to have done before I apply to the PsyD program. I was recently chewed out- or told 'the tough truth' about how my application would and should be immediately dismissed because I have no experience in the field. I'm confused, because how am I to gain experience without the training and education? Do you have any tips?
I think that's will get over
What is the time table on completion of these requirements
How did you prepare for the GRE?
Is it ok if we choose commerce after 10th to become a clinical psychologist??
I have a BSC in medical biochemistry, how possible is it to switch to becoming a clinical psychologist
If i do a pharmacy bachelor & i want to get a mcs in psychology what i should do for intended in masters programs and internship of psychology?!
hi I am Chana and I am 13 years old. for 2 years I have been interested in getting my psychology degree. I was wondering if you new what program to get into to do therapeutic mentor? I also want to know what college you think is the best to get your degree in psychology [counseling foundation] [child psychology]? How long would it take figuratively speaking?
I am doing bs MLT after that can I do clinical pathology
Are any Canadian programs APA accredited? Just looked at the website and seems like they are not though, but just wanted to ask in case graduates succesfully became accredited individually after some more steps. Thanks!
I'm not too sure! I know Canadian psychologists may have different credentials. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
Hi Kristen! Thanks for useful video! Do you happen to know any clinical psychologist undregoing the process of relocating from Europe ?? Thanks
Hmmm I do not! However, there is a facebook group called Location Independent therapists that you might find helpful: facebook.com/groups/693582137473760
Thank you 🙏. Can I get into masters in clinical psychology with an MBBS(medical school certificate)?
I applied to 3 psyD programs for this year and got rejected by all three. I do not have a masters so i applied to the ones that did not require that. Do you suggest getting a masters before i apply again? What do you think would be a better option? My cgpa is 3.79 from my bachelors in psych and i also had been working as an RBT for a year now. I wish they told us on what basis they reject you so you could work on that area :( So so bummed and low! feel lost!
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
I become a clinical psychologist
how do we go about working in hospital settings as a clinical psychologist only based on Masters' degree?
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)
When a job posting says they require a valid license to provide clinical therapy issued by a state board (e.g. LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, or similar) can this be a Master's Degree or must it be a Doctorate?
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!
Is this something that’s possible as a 30 year old with a relatively full time job working as a therapist under my licensed supervisor?? I’m nervous that if I try to pursue PsyD that I won’t be to sleep with everything involved between the education and internships
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
heyy i had a question, so the thing is i am an international student who is studying bachelor's of arts in psychology in india and i plan to go to usa after my undergraduate fir further studies. so do i need to do a masters in psychology and then a doctorate (psyd or phd) or can i straight go for a doctorate after my bachelors ?
the video was really helpful and informative. thank youu
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!!
As an undergraduate student hoping to obtain my bachelors degree in Psych, after the doctorate/Phd programme and licensure, do you think its necessary to get a formal postdoc? My goal is to have my own clinic and its seems like you can easily get lost in the weeds of degrees.
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 ❤️
Hello, with license in Theology can i continue for a master and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology please?
If yes What Master choose, B.A or BS?
I'm sorry, but I'm a little confused: does a PhD limit you from being able to practice clinical psychology since it deals heavily in research, or does it embody everything that a psyD offers while providing you with more opportunities?
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
I plan on going to Capella university getting a bachelors and masters degree but it’s accredited through CACREP. Should I still continue going to school there? It’s not APA accredited.
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 have master in ABA ang currently working with psychiatric hospital, but wanted to do clinical psychology. How to do that?
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
I am a registered nurse on an inpatient behavioral health unit right now. I am wanting to go back and become a therapist to have a private practice eventually. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Do you think I will be able to get into a masters program without having a psychology degree?
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
I’m deciding between behavior analysis and clinical psychology. Who did you decided against ABA? Thank you!
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 😄
Do you have to get a Psy.d? Can you get a Masters in counseling instead?
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
Are we being paid for the PsyD program while we do an internship?
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?
Is GRE really necessary?
Please let me know
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!
🕊
Very helpful video. I am in Phoenix as well. Which school did you attend?
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.
What was your associates degree in? I’m curious
psychology!
Will an online degree in psychology would help?
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!
6:42
Can any one explain for me what is gre ??!
Graduate Record Examinations :) www.ets.org/gre.html
*Do you Prescribe Medicines toooo.....*
no
This is usually done by psychiatrists, not psychologists. Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in treating mental health disorders.
Kristen, great content on your channel. Very impressed. I am a licensed clinical psychologist. I wanted to discuss with you a potential business opportunity. I sent you an email but not sure if it was correct. If you have an initial interest to learn more, please chime back so I can connect with you. thanks.
Hi Steven! I'll check my email today and get back to you!
Bchelors then masters then phd right????can se do phd directly after bachelors???
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 👏
Good no theory subject