[How much does your research experience need to match your advisor's?]

Hi there, I am planning on applying this fall to clinical Ph.D programs. My research and clinical experience is in autism and family research. However, I am interested in researching externalizing behaviors, callous-unemotional traits, conduct disorder, especially in family contexts and interventions. 

My question is, does the fact that I don't have experience specifically doing research with individuals with conduct disorder or other similar areas going to hurt me in the application process? I know I can talk up the family aspects of my experience, and of course a lot of the kids I work with clinically and in our research setting exhibit a lot of externalizing behaviors and aggression. I had heard that it wasn't necessarily a problem, but when I look at some of the school's current labs they are filled with people with hyper relevant experience. 

Thanks!

[People who ALMOST applied to grad school (PhD)]

I postponed applying, I will be applying this fall. Main reasons were to gain more research experience and get a publication out. I ended up joining a nationally funded study as research coordinator in January, so I would say it definitely was a good decision.

[undergraduate coursework is lacking...]

12 hours ago, Hk328 said:

Have you taken the pre-req courses required for the programs you're interested in? There are plenty of people who go into psych grad school without majoring in psych as an undergrad. Did you major in something somewhat related to what you are interested in doing research-wise?

If you are that worried about the lack of psych background, you can also apply to MA programs along with PhD programs. There are a few that provide funding as well. Search around this forum, as there have definitely been posts about that. 

Yeah I have taken the prereqs required, but they have all been at community colleges (for credit, but still).

I'm not opposed to applying to funded MA programs, I guess just find it disappointing since I've been working as a lab coordinator for two years now, in the hopes of being competitive for a Ph.D program.

[undergraduate coursework is lacking...]

I'm looking to apply to clinical psych programs. I graduated from an excellent state school but with an unrelated degree. Since leaving school I've taken several courses from a community college in psychology in order to attain a psychology GPA, meet minimums in terms of recommended number of courses before entering graduate school. In most other ways I have a strong application, I scored very well on the psychology GRE subject test, moderately well on the regular GRE (Q: 155, V: 164), as well as have several years of research experience (including as a coordinator) and some poster submissions. I also have clinical experience working with kids with autism.  I am worried that this coursework thing is going to bite me in the butt though. Anybody out there who did not major in psychology in undergrad able to provide some insight into this situation? Much appreciated!!!