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What is your personal experience working in the Psychology field?
I'm currently in school to become a Clinical Psychologist. I'm reaching out today in search of additional information about my career choice. I would love to hear about any additional advice or information you might have about the academic path to becoming a Clinical Psychologist or your personal experience working in the Psychology field. Thank you. #psychologist #clinicalpsychology #clinical-psychology
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Michael’s Answer
My personal experience has been great. But Psychology is a very, very broad field, with many, varied opportunities. Make sure you know what you want to be doing ultimately (research, teaching, treatment, program development, etc.) and that the training you select will take you there.
Dr. Carolyn Cowl-Witherspoon
Social Psychologist, Executive Director, Psychological Coach, Consultant
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Dr. Carolyn’s Answer
Clinical psychology is a long academic road, but very worthwhile. To become a clinical psychologist, I'm sure you know that you must get a Ph.D. That's one challenge, but then you have to obtain licensure (more on that in a moment). Getting a Ph.D. can be an amazing experience, or a miserable one. I had an amazing experience, but many of my classmates did not. The difference? Your dissertation committee Chairperson. Be picky. Get someone whose work ethic and communication style match your own, or are compatible. Pick someone who knows something about your research topic, but who is willing to allow you to make your own decisions about your research whenever possible. I cannot emphasize how difficult it is to finish a Ph.D. You must have tenacity and a tough skin, especially in clinical psychology, where you will be scrutinized constantly and given very honest feedback. This is a good thing, since it will make you a better clinician, but it can sometimes feel a lot like negative criticism.
The research component of a Ph.D. is grueling. Be sure to have several back up research topics in case your first are not accepted. You must find a "gap" in current knowledge and prove that the gap needs to be filled with new research to yield new knowledge or understanding to advance the field of psychology. Finding a novel topic is challenging! Start looking now, if only to see what's already been done. Start building your research library of quality research that may be peripheral to your topic now. Writing chapter two was so challenging, so be prepared for it. Keep fine tuning your topic based on current research so that when you do get to dissertation you won't spend a year hunting for a novel topic to research.
Once you complete your coursework and your dissertation, you are still not a clinical psychologist, which you probably already know. You need to complete thousands of hours of internships and supervision before you can sit for licensure exams. During that time, you will be paid nothing or very little, so please have a financial plan in place to survive. Once you pass your licensing exams, it may take you up to a full year to establish a full client practice, so be prepared for that, financially, too.
Finally, remember that becoming a clinical psychologist means that you will be working with clients with varying degrees of presenting issues, from the simple to the incredibly difficult and complex. It is essential that you establish a self-care routine so that you can care for yourself and not become overwhelmed by what you hear and experience everyday in sessions. Becoming a clinical psychologist is a very rewarding career path, and having the opportunity to help others is a true gift. Good luck!
The research component of a Ph.D. is grueling. Be sure to have several back up research topics in case your first are not accepted. You must find a "gap" in current knowledge and prove that the gap needs to be filled with new research to yield new knowledge or understanding to advance the field of psychology. Finding a novel topic is challenging! Start looking now, if only to see what's already been done. Start building your research library of quality research that may be peripheral to your topic now. Writing chapter two was so challenging, so be prepared for it. Keep fine tuning your topic based on current research so that when you do get to dissertation you won't spend a year hunting for a novel topic to research.
Once you complete your coursework and your dissertation, you are still not a clinical psychologist, which you probably already know. You need to complete thousands of hours of internships and supervision before you can sit for licensure exams. During that time, you will be paid nothing or very little, so please have a financial plan in place to survive. Once you pass your licensing exams, it may take you up to a full year to establish a full client practice, so be prepared for that, financially, too.
Finally, remember that becoming a clinical psychologist means that you will be working with clients with varying degrees of presenting issues, from the simple to the incredibly difficult and complex. It is essential that you establish a self-care routine so that you can care for yourself and not become overwhelmed by what you hear and experience everyday in sessions. Becoming a clinical psychologist is a very rewarding career path, and having the opportunity to help others is a true gift. Good luck!
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Michael’s Answer
The field of psychology is apparently going to need as many qualified individuals to assist the human community as we transition from so much societal trauma! I’ve worked in the field for close to 20 years in many capacities! I loved each and every moment of the career choice! I had to make sure I was in the best mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health as possible before I could even think about helping others. The need to ensure all these characteristics are met is directly related to the amount of work that may be required to help just one person get better! Some work is more difficult than others but your educational, home, social indoctrination and spiritual mastery makes it so much easier than someone who themselves is struggling to just make it through a day. The world of understanding psychology and the way the human brain operates to stimuli’s is so vast! Get used to loving to read and learning new and exciting things because the most complicated system on the planet is the human brain! The better you are equipped to address any situation, the most successful you will be.
All the best to you in one of the most amazing and rewarding careers on our planet.
All the best to you in one of the most amazing and rewarding careers on our planet.
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Jessica’s Answer
Currently I am loving the work I do. I am a Child Advocate Manager for Guardian ad Litem. Psychology works in multiple avenues with this particular job. I am currently getting ready to start my PhD program. I think clinical psychology is great, but I do agree with the above post, it is important to really study and look at all the different areas of psychology and make sure you understand what exactly it is you want to do, to make sure you get the most out of your program. If you are unsure that a particular program will meet your needs, talk to counselors and professors at the school you are attending or looking into, they usually have a lot of insight as to what areas of psychology their program is best suited for.