noncompliant94

Phone call.

Just got accepted to UCLA's joint MSW/PhD program!

That is helpful to know! The interdisciplinary PhD program is in behavioral & community sciences.

No, I don't have a master's in clinical counseling. I just have a B.A. Would it be weird to get my PhD first and then come around to get the master's?

It really depends on funding. I've been offered full funding for an interdisciplinary PhD program at the University of South Florida, and that program's faculty is extremely aligned with my research interests. But, they don't have a clinical master's, and I'd really like the ability to practice clinically/gain clinical skills in addition to my research. But if UCLA can't guarantee the same level of funding, then I'm not sure it would be worth it since the cost of living in LA is so high... Congrats on getting an interview at USC! Do you have a preference between USC and UCLA? Are you applying to the combined master's/Phd program or do you already have your MSW?

Same here!! (Well, it's the last combined master's/PhD program I'm waiting on - I did apply to some master's as backups that I haven't even had interviews for yet.) I feel like my whole decision is contingent on this though.

Yes, saw that. So frustrating!!! How soon is *very soon*? Lol.

What is it like having a fellowship versus an assistantship in terms of responsibilities, workload etc?

Hi all, I am currently deciding between a counseling psychology and non-clinical interdisciplinary PhD program. I think I'd like the option of being a practicing mental health clinician in addition to being a researcher. However, it seems like there is significantly less work-life balance in a counseling psychology program due to practicum and other clinical requirements, and work-life-balance is extremely important to me too. Any advice?

Hi all, I am currently deciding between a counseling psychology and non-clinical interdisciplinary PhD program. I think I'd like the option of being a practicing mental health clinician in addition to being a researcher. However, it seems like there is significantly less work-life balance in a counseling psychology program due to practicum and other clinical requirements, and work-life-balance is extremely important to me too. Any advice?

Has anyone heard from UCLA?

Okay thanks, this is helpful. Do you know if there's any way to stretch out the program to have more work-life balance during it?

Has anyone heard back from Georgia State's Counseling Psychology PhD Program?

For those of you who are in clinical and counseling psychology PhD programs, what is the work-life balance like? How many hours do you devote to research, clinical work, and coursework each week?

For those of you who are in clinical and counseling psychology PhD programs, what is the work-life balance like? How many hours do you devote to research, clinical work, and coursework each week?

WOW. I am so, so sorry this happened to you. I have no clue how to answer your question but I just wanted to express what a horrendous case of discrimination this is.

I feel good about working with clients. I feel that being autistic and experiencing the ableism and exclusion that comes with has given me more empathy for others experiencing exclusion and marginalization. Also, I think that my ability to take a critical look at the arbitrary nature of social norms helps me be a lot less judgmental and more accepting toward people. My friends, family, and the people I work with comment that I am their go-to person for if they need to tell someone something about themselves and be guaranteed a nonjudgmental ear. I do have 2 years of experience working directly with people with mental health challenges and am constantly providing informal peer support. My question is more about me being assumed to be a less competent clinician due to being autistic. Will I constantly need to be justifying/explaining myself if I disclose that I am autistic?

Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

Hi everyone! I am an autistic woman who is applying to counseling psychology PhD programs. I was recently accepted to one of my top choice programs. I did not disclose the fact that I am autistic during the application. I have disclosed it in essays I've published online but I'm not sure whether the program google searched me or not. I'm not sure whether this is something I should disclose or not before I enter the program? I may need accommodations in terms of testing, and it would be nice to just have a little bit of understanding in case I get overwhelmed/need to take a break from class/come off as slightly awkward or fidgety. But I'm also scared that this means I will be assumed to be a less competent clinician or researcher. I did speak a bit about doing autistic rights advocacy work in the application process. And I put forth some critical perspectives on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in my interview and the writing sample that was required during the interview. The people I spoke with seemed relatively open to this...I mean, they still accepted me as an applicant! Any advice would be much appreciated!