Clinical Vs. Non-Clinical PhD

[noncompliant94]

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?

[cashewmilk]

Do you happen to have a masters in clinical counseling? I have a masters in counseling (and licensure) and will be attending a PhD program in a non-clinical area. So if push comes to shove or I find myself wanting to balance academic/clinical I can always do private practice/still be in the clinical realm. However, without a masters and subsequent license, its something to think about. Do you want spend your career diagnosing, doing therapy, writing treatment plans... or not?  Without a license/accrediting body to answer to you cant to any of that work, period. I would do some self reflection and figure out what it is that you want to do, what would bring you joy, and a route/path should illuminate itself to you

[noncompliant94]

On 2/20/2018 at 8:55 AM, cashewmilk said:

Do you happen to have a masters in clinical counseling? I have a masters in counseling (and licensure) and will be attending a PhD program in a non-clinical area. So if push comes to shove or I find myself wanting to balance academic/clinical I can always do private practice/still be in the clinical realm. However, without a masters and subsequent license, its something to think about. Do you want spend your career diagnosing, doing therapy, writing treatment plans... or not?  Without a license/accrediting body to answer to you cant to any of that work, period. I would do some self reflection and figure out what it is that you want to do, what would bring you joy, and a route/path should illuminate itself to you

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?

[4est]

What program is the non-clinical interdisciplinary PhD program, if you don't mind me asking?  I'm not too familiar with work-life balance in certain programs, but I can tell you from my small sample of interviews with grad students, that they find a way to make it work, balancing getting clinical hours and doing research for their thesis/projects.

 

I hope it's alright that I also post on this thread my similar experience/dilemma.

I've applied to predominantly clinical programs, with one Applied Developmental program.  I've been wait-listed for one clinical program, and waiting to hear back from another.  I have been accepted to the Applied Developmental program with full funding, which allows me to also become a licensed psychologist.  I'm wondering if anyone could provide insight into the difference between a licensed developmental psychologist and a clinical psychologist?  I want to focus on early childhood/family systems, and though I too like the idea of being a practicing mental health clinician, I wouldn't say it's necessarily my priority.  The clinical programs I applied to conduct clinical research, so my inclinations toward practice are satisfied there.

If I don't get into a clinical program this round (my first cycle), I'm debating if I should go to the AD program this fall, or try again at clinical next year.  I think I know what I'd need to improve my application (boost up GRE scores, take the Psych GRE, and refine PS), but I'm not sure if I want to go through that process again.

 

Any and all insight would be helpful, thanks!

[Clinapp2017]

7 minutes ago, 4est said:

What program is the non-clinical interdisciplinary PhD program, if you don't mind me asking?  I'm not too familiar with work-life balance in certain programs, but I can tell you from my small sample of interviews with grad students, that they find a way to make it work, balancing getting clinical hours and doing research for their thesis/projects.

 

I hope it's alright that I also post on this thread my similar experience/dilemma.

I've applied to predominantly clinical programs, with one Applied Developmental program.  I've been wait-listed for one clinical program, and waiting to hear back from another.  I have been accepted to the Applied Developmental program with full funding, which allows me to also become a licensed psychologist.  I'm wondering if anyone could provide insight into the difference between a licensed developmental psychologist and a clinical psychologist?  I want to focus on early childhood/family systems, and though I too like the idea of being a practicing mental health clinician, I wouldn't say it's necessarily my priority.  The clinical programs I applied to conduct clinical research, so my inclinations toward practice are satisfied there.

If I don't get into a clinical program this round (my first cycle), I'm debating if I should go to the AD program this fall, or try again at clinical next year.  I think I know what I'd need to improve my application (boost up GRE scores, take the Psych GRE, and refine PS), but I'm not sure if I want to go through that process again.

 

Any and all insight would be helpful, thanks!

How exactly is a developmental program granting licensure?

[4est]

The program meets the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register of Health Service Providers of Psychology "Guidelines for Defining Doctoral Degree in Psychology.”  It says that graduates from the program will have the educational requirements for licensing in the US and Canada, but specify that it does not meet requirements nor train students for clinical psychology licensing.  And - once licensed - graduates are eligible to apply for credentialing as a Health Service Provider in Psychology.

 

I think part of my reluctance/confusion is that...I'm not quite sure what that means.

[clinicallyindependent]

Although there are some general overlap between those two, Non-Clinical and Clinical psychology and the sub-fields within those area are two distinctive paths. My two cents would be is to really think about what you want to do/pursue with the phd and figure out what path you want to take. Don't feel like you have to settle just because you've been accepted. Good luck!!

[4est]

1 hour ago, clinicallyindependent said:

Although there are some general overlap between those two, Non-Clinical and Clinical psychology and the sub-fields within those area are two distinctive paths. My two cents would be is to really think about what you want to do/pursue with the phd and figure out what path you want to take. Don't feel like you have to settle just because you've been accepted. Good luck!!

How would you describe these paths?  

 

....asking 4 a friend

[clinicallyindependent]

Non-Clinical path ie: Dev isn't a licensure track in a lot of states. Dev will most likely land you in a research or teaching setting. As for Clinical, you have both options and you can focus in research or teaching if thats your calling after getting licensed but also have the option to be in a clinical setting. Getting into Clinical programs are tough. I'm not saying one is good or bad, but my perspective is that within a clinical program there are more areas you can expand/mold into as you carry out your phd career. Hopefully this helps!!

[cashewmilk]

Licensing gets dicey.... unless there's an internship/practicum in your PhD program you would not receive a license from APA to practice.  However, you would still be a Psychologist just not have the license to practice and further bill as a psychologist. The most important aspect about being licensed is billing

[cashewmilk]

On ‎2‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 10:03 PM, noncompliant94 said:

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?

Personally NO. lol! I would just apply for clinical psychology or counseling psychology programs if this is important to u!

[noncompliant94]

On 2/27/2018 at 9:00 AM, 4est said:

What program is the non-clinical interdisciplinary PhD program, if you don't mind me asking?  I'm not too familiar with work-life balance in certain programs, but I can tell you from my small sample of interviews with grad students, that they find a way to make it work, balancing getting clinical hours and doing research for their thesis/projects.

 

I hope it's alright that I also post on this thread my similar experience/dilemma.

I've applied to predominantly clinical programs, with one Applied Developmental program.  I've been wait-listed for one clinical program, and waiting to hear back from another.  I have been accepted to the Applied Developmental program with full funding, which allows me to also become a licensed psychologist.  I'm wondering if anyone could provide insight into the difference between a licensed developmental psychologist and a clinical psychologist?  I want to focus on early childhood/family systems, and though I too like the idea of being a practicing mental health clinician, I wouldn't say it's necessarily my priority.  The clinical programs I applied to conduct clinical research, so my inclinations toward practice are satisfied there.

If I don't get into a clinical program this round (my first cycle), I'm debating if I should go to the AD program this fall, or try again at clinical next year.  I think I know what I'd need to improve my application (boost up GRE scores, take the Psych GRE, and refine PS), but I'm not sure if I want to go through that process again.

 

Any and all insight would be helpful, thanks!

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

[Le Chat]

This is something I've been waffling over lately- right now I am in a Master's program and not very interested in therapy, just research. If I did a Clinical program I would want to focus on research for awhile after. I am thinking I will apply to a few research based Ph.D programs, along with the Clinical/Counseling Psych and see where I end up. I just don't see myself wanting to do a lot of counseling at the moment.