Humanistic psych PhD + LPC?

[Suraj_S]

I'm entering a humanistic psych PhD program in GA this fall. I won't be earning a master's along the way, though the option is available for PhD students who (for whatever reason) opt out of the PhD track. The MA is considerably more clinical-/counseling-oriented than the PhD, which is a pure (qualitative) research program. At the present time, I have research, teaching, and clinical aspirations.

There might be opportunities to pursue quantitative studies elsewhere (e.g., at Emory or GA Tech) for a semester or two, and I'd have the option of writing a mixed-methods dissertation at my primary school. I would prefer to leave with some quantitative background, both for professional and personal purposes. Further, it is possible, whether through the university's psych and/or education departments, to fulfill LPC (licensed professional counselor)* requirements and have them count toward one's PhD credits, though this is contingent on the faculty's approval after starting the program (so no guarantees--which I've mostly made peace with).

Now, given the (from what I understand, fairly wide) variance between states' LPC, MHC, psychologist, etc. licensure requirements, and given that I can't guess where I might end up for a faculty position (if I get one--and recent graduates from the program have), I'm wondering if it's at all feasible to combine these two trajectories. I know some clinical psych professors practice in addition to teaching and research, but I'm not quite sure how this works in terms of licensure and faculty placement. Is it perhaps possible to pursue LPC recognition and requirement-fulfillment after leaving one's graduate program and acquiring a faculty post? Is there any possibility for (at least partial) transference of one's LPC status and completion to other states? Answers from people who either have, or know others who've gone the research PhD + LPC(/MHC) route would be most appreciated.

*I understand the general distinctions between what LPCs can/can't do vs. clinical psychologists, as well as their education levels and recent/projected median salaries; and I am primarily interested in practicing (preferably existential-humanistic) psychotherapy, though whether in the community or privately is unclear (both options would be nice). Ideally, I'd be able to be both a full-time professor and part-time psychotherapist at once.

Edited April 7, 2015 by Zinnia_SS

[_kita]

I know some PhD psychology and counseling professors who, as their 'service to the community' do counseling work, and that's where they tie in the counseling experience. It helps them teach future counselors by staying current in the field. So, the counseling background can help, if you want to peruse that direction. Keep in mind, they still ALSO have to do research. It's not one or the other, it's both.

 

I am currently in a MA counseling program currently. Hopefully, I'll be enrolled in a PhD once this degree ends. Honestly, if you can, get the LP (Licensed Psychologist) instead of an LPC. Either way, you have to accrue something like 2000-3000 supervised fieldwork, and then you can promote your PhD as a counselor. The LP trumps the LPC.

 

You can pursue the LPC whenever you want to. You'll need to work 20-40 hours a week, and within so many years accrue 2000-3000 supervised hours. I'm not sure if you can feasibly pull that off during your program.  

[Suraj_S]

I know some PhD psychology and counseling professors who, as their 'service to the community' do counseling work, and that's where they tie in the counseling experience. It helps them teach future counselors by staying current in the field. So, the counseling background can help, if you want to peruse that direction. Keep in mind, they still ALSO have to do research. It's not one or the other, it's both.

 

I am currently in a MA counseling program currently. Hopefully, I'll be enrolled in a PhD once this degree ends. Honestly, if you can, get the LP (Licensed Psychologist) instead of an LPC. Either way, you have to accrue something like 2000-3000 supervised fieldwork, and then you can promote your PhD as a counselor. The LP trumps the LPC.

 

You can pursue the LPC whenever you want to. You'll need to work 20-40 hours a week, and within so many years accrue 2000-3000 supervised hours. I'm not sure if you can feasibly pull that off during your program.  

 

Thanks for the response. There are a few reasons I'm thinking against going the LP route, insane clinipsy admission rates and the so-called 'internship crisis' among them. (I also left my undergrad with a 3.1 and only a year of research experience--no publications or conference presentations.) Speaking frankly, it might be too hardcore for me, and I'm not sure I want that amount of stress on my mind for such an extended period of time; and I think my #1 priority is being able to study the frameworks I find interesting, rather than the obvious applied boons (wider scope of practice and assessment, financial) clinical psychologists get. I'm fine with simply being a psychotherapist, especially if I'm already doing research and teaching...and there is still time for my mind to change about foregoing clinipsy.

 

So can supervised hours (either for LPC or LP, though I haven't heard of such being possible for the latter) take place outside of a graduate program? Maybe I can get some done at school, and the rest later (after I've hopefully gotten a faculty post, which I'm aware may well end up being an adjunct one). If you could clarify the "within so many years" part, I would appreciate it: I'm quite unfamiliar with LPC licensure.

 

Best of luck with your own goals!

Edited April 7, 2015 by Zinnia_SS

[_kita]

Clinical hours pretty much take place after program completion. You typically begin accruing them in the workforce after your program.

 

The actual licensing requirements changes by state, and you can find out the specific details for yours here: http://www.counselor-license.com/

 

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For me (PA), I would have to go through these steps:

 

1. Finish my credentialed masters degree (48-60 credits). Program needs to have a 100 hour practicum and a 300 hour internship experience.

2. Sit in for the Licensure examination -which I can do upon completion of my masters

3. Find a site location which will allow me to clock 3600 hours in 3 years. 2400 with a doctoral degree. 

• I can only start accruing the hours after 48 credits in a graduate course work.
• With a doctoral degree, 1200 hours must be conferral of the doctorate degree.
• Hours can be done at different locations, and you can work part-time for them. However, hours do not become legitimized until you have worked 3 months (FT); 6 months (PT) at a site. Then all your previous clocked hours are counted towards your total.

4. Find someone who is willing to supervise me 2 hours, for every clocked 40 hours of work. 

• This is annoying, because the supervisor is not always on your site, and not billable for them. Therefore, they're losing 2 hours of pay. Several people pay out of pocket for the supervisor to make up for this. 

5. Send in an application. 

6. Continuing education credit to renew your license. 

 

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I suggested waiting until you are done with a doctoral (PsyD), or your decide your MA will be your last degree, because of the time constraints, and possibly needing to pay supervision out of pocket. 

Edited April 7, 2015 by psychkita