Hey GradCafesians,
I feel like I am at a grocery store choosing which red sauce to buy for pasta, except I will be eating sauce for the next 3 - 6 years. I have done extensive research on the varieties of red sauce (grad schools), yet am still indecisive.
My main goal is to become a therapist and open my own private practice with other licensed therapists. Secondarily, I am also interested in doing clinical research at a University. I lean towards alternative therapies such as mindfulness (e.g., dbt) and spiritual approaches as well as working with patients with anxiety and mood disorders. However, I also see the benefit of going to a more normative institution to establish a traditional therapeutic framework, seeking specialized training after graduation.
Where my decision making falls short is (obviously) the amount of paths I can take to become a therapist. PhD, PsyD, LPC, MSW ect. I have a 3.7 GPA, with 155 Verbal and 148 Math (ouch; might take again), and sig. amount of therapeutic experience in clinical and academic settings. If I were to apply to doctoral programs, I would reluctantly take the GRE again.
I currently am leaning towards masters because of networking purposes and am honestly scared of being locked into a doctoral program for 5-6 years that may not be a good fit. On the other hand, masters programs are typically not paid for (right?) and getting a masters and PhD separately would take significantly longer then going straight for a PhD.
I wanted to hear some of your experiences on obtaining these degrees and advice to a youngin' with both formal and informal therapeutic interests.
Your help is much appreciated!