I just joined The Gradcafe. I must say it is very helpful and overwhelming at the same time as there are numerous threads and pool of information. I personally found some to be very intimidating !
To be honest I am looking for someone to look at my qualifications and experience and tell me what I can do with it.
I live in Arizona USA currently. It's been three years since I moved here. I have BA in Psychology (From India) and MA in Developmental and Therapeutic Play (From UK) ( almost no one knows about this program unfortunately). I have worked in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education for more than a decade. I have experience of working as lead teacher (3 years), Program Coordinator (6 years), Academic Coordinator (6 Years), Teaching faculty (at a private teachers training institute, 6 years).
I had pursued Psychology degree to work as psychologist, child psychologist to be precise. Due to many personal life reasons I ended up working in completely different field and I have developed numerous skills and have loved it.
Since moving to the USA I am finding it difficult to understand or let's say come to a decision on what I'd like to do as there's just too many options.
Few questions I have are
What is the difference between a therapist and a psychologist?
How does the work that a school psychologist/ counsellor/ clinical psychologist does vary?
Which program will prepare me the most to work with children with say learning differences or broadly speaking children who needs therapy, ABA? Play therapy? counseling?
Is play therapy type of counseling or is separate from counseling?
How I visualize my work?: I think I'd like a career where I work as a professional who provides therapy to children and family as part of an already established center - private or hospitals which may lead to private practice with good amount of experience. I also have good skills (and love )to deliver training sessions for practitioners i.e. teachers, parents etc.
I am 31 years old and I have been in the dilemma for a while now and need to make an informed decision as indecisiveness is not at all my comfort zone.
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
