I am uncertain that I am making the right decision

[logical_emotion]

I hope everyone's applications are coming along well. I will be applying to 5 Counselling Psychology programs in Canada this year. I always had more of an interest/clinical experience in areas of work involving clinical populations. Also, I do see the idea of consulting on court cases as a Forensic Psychologist very intriguing. However, I cannot reasonably expect to get accepted into any of the Clinical Psychology programs in Canada because of my lack of a research thesis or significant research experience.

This lack of research thesis and experience is pushing me in the direction of Counselling Psychology, and I am really wondering whether I should seriously see if I should try to take a thesis course and gather some more research experience. The reasons why I want to apply this year is because I am not sure if I can afford the time and money it will take to take a thesis and gather more research experience. Nevertheless, I really want to be a licensed Clinical Psychologist, so I am kind of in a conundrum.

I feel like my applications for Counselling Psychology are strong because of my academic record (CGPA 3.62/4.0), direct experience administering psychological assessments, providing counselling group therapy in different modalities, applying ABA with kids with intellectual disabilities, working with a crisis centre. I have some good experience clinically but almost no research experience which really makes my chances at Clinical Psychology programs almost 0.

I just want to know if there has been anyone in my position before, and if so, what did you choose to do? Also, does anyone know my realistic chances at a Counselling Psychology program in Ontario?

 

[Na_arf]

Hello fellow Canadian! I am currently in a clinical psych master's program in Canada, and there are two other students in my cohort who did not complete a thesis project. They still made it into a very competitive program, and although I wasn't sitting on the admissions committee to say why, I would be willing to bet it was because they had a lot of practical experience working with kids (quite similar to the activities you've listed)! I would recommend applying to a mix if you're feeling really uncertain about your chances, but I have seen it work out for others without thesis experience.

Best of luck!!

[logical_emotion]

2 hours ago, Na_arf said:

Hello fellow Canadian! I am currently in a clinical psych master's program in Canada, and there are two other students in my cohort who did not complete a thesis project. They still made it into a very competitive program, and although I wasn't sitting on the admissions committee to say why, I would be willing to bet it was because they had a lot of practical experience working with kids (quite similar to the activities you've listed)! I would recommend applying to a mix if you're feeling really uncertain about your chances, but I have seen it work out for others without thesis experience.

Best of luck!!

Hey Na_arf! Your post is really encouraging for me. Thank you. Could you possibly tell me where they applied in Canada. I'm in Ontario for reference. The reason why I am asking is because most programs I have seen explicitly  list a thesis course/project as a requirement. Is this just a formality or is it actually necessary?

[Na_arf]

@logical_emotion I PM'd you!