bay area - trying to choose programs!

[ksvenson]

After contemplating a career in psychology for years, I've recently made the decision to go to school to become a private practice therapist. I hold a graduate degree in music (4.0), and a BM summa cum laude, and have been teaching for ten years, but have little clinical experience - though I have lots of volunteer experience. I definitely wish to stay in San Francisco or the East Bay (both for school, and when I start my career), but am overwhelmed by the number of choices and unsure how to narrow things down! 

 

I'm leaning towards a master's rather than a doctoral program, because I'm already 28, and would like to start my career by my early thirties. I'm particularly interested in psychodynamic therapy, and probably want to work primarily with young adults and adolescents. I don't have any particular desire to teach or do research, so I'm probably not interested in PhD program.

 

I don't know what degree programs would be best to pursue - MSW, MA, PsyD - or what schools would provide me with the best training and placement opportunities. I'm also not sure how competitive of a program I'd be able to get into. I'd love to start school in Fall 2014 or Spring 2015, but realize this is probably unrealistic.

 

I'd really appreciate any suggestions - in terms of what schools and programs people would recommend, and what other things I can be doing right now to increase my chances of admission.

 

Thanks for any help!!!

Edited May 24, 2014 by ksvenson

[Generis]

I'm more on the research side of the fence, but from what I hear the Bay is one of the most competitive places for practition psych education and even work once you are done with school (I think one of my undergraduate mentors said there are more therapists per capita in the Bay than anywhere eles in the US). Because of this, the programs are going to be very competitive and probably require a good foundation of experience. (Plus, our weather and culture is awesome, so everyone wants to be here!)

 

It would be helpful to first look through the websites of the different colleges (SF state, SJ state, CSUEB, Stanford, Berkeley, and even Alliant if you want to keep your options open) and read up on what their students look like and what they value during admissions. Because your undergraduate is not in psychology, I would highly recommend taking the Psychology subject GRE to show that you know your stuff.

 

You could also look at job applications for work you think you would find interesting, and see what they require in terms of degrees. That could help point you into the right direction, and ultimately inform your decision as to what works best for you =)

[clinicalpsychphd20]

I heard that in CA with most master's degrees, you have to work for free after graduation until you get your license.. it may be worth investigating more about that and whether you are okay with it.