6 answers
Hazel
Student
Spokane, Washington
1
Question
Updated
481 views
How do I get started in becoming a clinical psychologist?
I'm planning on getting my BA in psychology, and I've been looking at the different careers in that area. I know that to be a clinical pyschologist it would require 7-8 years of school, and I'd have to get a PsyD. From what I've been reading, it's a competitive career and so is getting into a clinical psychology program, especially at the university I want to study at.
I'm wondering what the steps would be to get to clinical psychology: grades, experience, etc.
Are there also any other careers similar to clinical psychology that I could go into?
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6 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Hazel,
Good question! Pursuing a career in clinical psychology is an exciting journey that requires dedication and planning. Here's a step-by-step guide to get started, along with some information on similar careers:
Steps to Becoming a Clinical Psychologist
1. Undergraduate Education (4 years)
- Major in Psychology: Focus on courses like developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, statistics, and research methods.
- Maintain Strong Grades: Aim for a GPA of at least 3.5, as graduate programs are competitive.
- Get Involved in Research: Volunteer or work in a psychology lab to gain experience and build relationships with professors who can write strong recommendation letters.
- Gain Practical Experience: Look for internships or volunteer opportunities in mental health settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or community centers.
2. Gain Relevant Experience After Graduation
- Work in a Related Field: Consider working as a research assistant, mental health counselor, or caseworker to strengthen your application.
- Consider a Master's Degree (Optional): Some students pursue a master's in psychology or a related field to improve their chances of being accepted into a doctoral program.
3. Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (PsyD or PhD, 4–6 years)
- PhD vs. PsyD:
- PhD focuses on research and is ideal if you're interested in academia or research-based clinical practice.
- PsyD focuses more on clinical practice with less emphasis on research.
- Admissions Requirements: High GPA, competitive GRE scores (if required), strong letters of recommendation, and a clear personal statement. Some programs may require interviews.
- Internship: Complete a year-long APA-accredited clinical internship as part of the program.
4. Licensure (1-2 years)
- After earning your degree, complete the required postdoctoral supervised hours (varies by state) and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
5. Continuing Education and Career Development
- Stay up-to-date with continuing education requirements and certifications.
-Tips for Success
- Build Relationships: Cultivate strong connections with professors and supervisors for mentorship and recommendations.
- Join Professional Organizations: Participate in groups like the American Psychological Association (APA) to network and access resources.
- Explore Funding Opportunities: Research scholarships, grants, and assistantships to help fund your education.
Similar Careers to Clinical Psychology
If you’re interested in mental health but want to explore other options:
1. Counseling Psychologist: Focuses more on helping individuals with life issues rather than severe mental illnesses.
2. School Psychologist: Works in educational settings to support students' mental health and academic performance.
3. Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): Specializes in therapy for couples and families.
4. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Provides therapy and connects clients to resources.
5. Psychiatrist: A medical doctor (MD/DO) specializing in mental health, able to prescribe medication.
6. Behavioral Analyst: Works with individuals, often children with autism, using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
7. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: Focuses on workplace behavior and organizational development.
Please do not forget, that becoming a clinical psychologist requires dedication, but the rewards of helping others can be worth it. By focusing on your academic and practical experience now, you’ll build a strong foundation for success in this competitive field.
Best wishes!
Good question! Pursuing a career in clinical psychology is an exciting journey that requires dedication and planning. Here's a step-by-step guide to get started, along with some information on similar careers:
Steps to Becoming a Clinical Psychologist
1. Undergraduate Education (4 years)
- Major in Psychology: Focus on courses like developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, statistics, and research methods.
- Maintain Strong Grades: Aim for a GPA of at least 3.5, as graduate programs are competitive.
- Get Involved in Research: Volunteer or work in a psychology lab to gain experience and build relationships with professors who can write strong recommendation letters.
- Gain Practical Experience: Look for internships or volunteer opportunities in mental health settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or community centers.
2. Gain Relevant Experience After Graduation
- Work in a Related Field: Consider working as a research assistant, mental health counselor, or caseworker to strengthen your application.
- Consider a Master's Degree (Optional): Some students pursue a master's in psychology or a related field to improve their chances of being accepted into a doctoral program.
3. Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (PsyD or PhD, 4–6 years)
- PhD vs. PsyD:
- PhD focuses on research and is ideal if you're interested in academia or research-based clinical practice.
- PsyD focuses more on clinical practice with less emphasis on research.
- Admissions Requirements: High GPA, competitive GRE scores (if required), strong letters of recommendation, and a clear personal statement. Some programs may require interviews.
- Internship: Complete a year-long APA-accredited clinical internship as part of the program.
4. Licensure (1-2 years)
- After earning your degree, complete the required postdoctoral supervised hours (varies by state) and pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
5. Continuing Education and Career Development
- Stay up-to-date with continuing education requirements and certifications.
-Tips for Success
- Build Relationships: Cultivate strong connections with professors and supervisors for mentorship and recommendations.
- Join Professional Organizations: Participate in groups like the American Psychological Association (APA) to network and access resources.
- Explore Funding Opportunities: Research scholarships, grants, and assistantships to help fund your education.
Similar Careers to Clinical Psychology
If you’re interested in mental health but want to explore other options:
1. Counseling Psychologist: Focuses more on helping individuals with life issues rather than severe mental illnesses.
2. School Psychologist: Works in educational settings to support students' mental health and academic performance.
3. Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT): Specializes in therapy for couples and families.
4. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Provides therapy and connects clients to resources.
5. Psychiatrist: A medical doctor (MD/DO) specializing in mental health, able to prescribe medication.
6. Behavioral Analyst: Works with individuals, often children with autism, using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
7. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: Focuses on workplace behavior and organizational development.
Please do not forget, that becoming a clinical psychologist requires dedication, but the rewards of helping others can be worth it. By focusing on your academic and practical experience now, you’ll build a strong foundation for success in this competitive field.
Best wishes!
This was super in depth, thank you so much!! The last sentences really resonated with me, helping others is something I've always been very passionate about and going into a career where that's ensured is important to me. You're amazing!
Hazel
Aw, thank you! That really means a lot. Helping others has always been super important to me, so it’s nice to hear that it came across. I’m sure you’ll do amazing things too!
Chinyere Okafor
Charles Ituah
School Counsellor
13
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Charles’s Answer
Hey Hazel, with all things Clinical Psychology, there is not one straight answer. You may hear things like go do a Master's in Clinical Psychology at some University in Australia, Canada, USA, or the UK or you may hear that before you can qualify to do a Master's in Clinical Psychology you must first have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.
All those are valid and solid advice but what matters most are your career goals and aspirations.
Ask Yourself these five questions before deciding to do a Master's in Clinical Psychology.
1. Is this career path going to satisfy my long-term career goals?
2. Where do I see myself working in this role in the next 5 Years?
3. What impact would I make in the world with this career path I have chosen?
4. How much resources both Financial and Physical would I need to make my dream become a reality?
5. What is my why?
Once you can answer these questions well, you are on a sure path to success in your Psychology related career.
All those are valid and solid advice but what matters most are your career goals and aspirations.
Ask Yourself these five questions before deciding to do a Master's in Clinical Psychology.
1. Is this career path going to satisfy my long-term career goals?
2. Where do I see myself working in this role in the next 5 Years?
3. What impact would I make in the world with this career path I have chosen?
4. How much resources both Financial and Physical would I need to make my dream become a reality?
5. What is my why?
Once you can answer these questions well, you are on a sure path to success in your Psychology related career.
Thank you, Charles! Really putting the emphasis on that last question as I've been trying to find my "why" as I look into what I'll be doing in my career and where I'll be. This was incredibly helpful.
Hazel
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
105
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Hazel, I see you also live in WA! A psychologist may have a PsyD, PhD, or EdS (school psychology). The PsyD may take a bit less time than the PhD degree. They are all slightly different depending on what you want to focus on and where your strengths lie. With a PsyD you are looking at research that has already been done and with a PhD you are creating new research methods and testing new theories. There are also doctorate degrees focused on advanced education- if you know you want to become a university professor, for example. These days depending on the school, you can teach with an MA or doctorate degree. With a BA in psychology, you might consider any number of career paths. I do think it helps to focus more on the end game than the actual years of schooling. Once you are committed, the time flies! But it is definitely a commitment- of your time and money. You will be studying, working with actual patients, taking on multiple internships, and engaging in your own research projects. A little secret- I did not take one psychology course in undergrad. I didn't think I could remember the terminology! I then (years later) took all my pre-requisites prior to my graduate application in clinical counseling and art therapy. It took me a decade to apply to grad school because I was concerned about many aspects of the process. Suffice it to say, the time it takes is the time it takes. If you truly want something it may be worth it just to go for it! Any graduate program is competitive- don't let this stop you. I was told the same thing, and it initially scared me. The world needs more mental health clinicians. This is a broad field and there will always be growth opportunities for qualified individuals. If you do not see yourself going right into a doctorate program, that is ok. You can do it in steps. Look at your options and it may lead you to making a lateral move into social work, political science or activism, international (NGO) work, counseling, peer specialist work, behavioral health management, public health, or even something more holistic like coaching! As for grades, it will always benefit you to have a solid GPA. And if you do not, do not let it hold you back from learning better study skills and pursuing graduate work. Where there is a will, there is a way! My graduate program did not give grades, only written evaluations. We were also informed the top evaluations would only be awarded to those students beyond the first two years of academic studies. I think there is a lot of subjectivity when it comes to grades, and it would benefit us all to look at other qualifiers to determine expertise. As a student you are constantly learning, evaluating, and assimilating. This takes time. You do not graduate knowing how to be a therapist or psychologist; it takes many years of practice and supervision post-grad. If you see yourself as a lifelong learner, psychology is a dynamic topic! No matter what your path, there is something out there for everyone! Good luck!
Mark Hovee
Army Reserve Psychologist
6
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Mark’s Answer
I don't think there is necessarily a singular answer. You could jump right into undergraduate course work and see if the courses prove interesting and compelling to your interests. It may be helpful to determine what area of clinical psychology interests you, whether it be private practice, forensic (legal, prisons, etc), military, inpatient or outpatient, teaching, research, etc. Perhaps an arranged interview with a psychologist specializing in your area of interest would further flush out whether this resonates with you. I know this would have helped me to gain a better understanding of the specialty area and whether it struck me as a good fit. All the best to you, Hazel, as you explore the rather broad discipline and practice of clinical psychology.
Thank you so much, Mark! I didn't think of reaching out to a psychologist, but I will definitely arrange that. Your input is greatly appreciated, this was very helpful!
Hazel
Sure, glad it gave you some additional ideas moving forward. All the best.
Mark Hovee
Griselda Hall
Executive Director
11
Answers
Olympia, Washington
Updated
Griselda’s Answer
Hi Hazel. After getting your bachelors degree, there are many colleges/universities you can apply to for a PsyD or PhD in Psychology. Depending on what college you select for your program, it can take you between 4-5 years as a full time student for either one of those degrees. Chosing a program can be easy research utilizing AI sources like ChatGpt or Perplexity AI.
Now to become a Psychiatrist, you'll need a bachelors degree (pre-med, bio, chemistry), score well on the MCATs (requirement for Med school application) then 4 years of medical school followed by 2-4 years of residency depending again on where you get your residency. Psychiatrists can do everything psychologists do with the additional licensure and cerification to prescribe medication.
If you want to expedite your education to just be in the mental health field you can consider going for a masters in Social Work or Counseling. Master's program range between 2-3 years at the full time attendance pace again depending on the University you select. Be sure to select a university program that has the credentialing of APA (American Psychological Association) or CACREP (Counsel of Accredited Counseling and Related Educational Program). This is significant when it comes to licensures for practicing as a Psycologist, Social Worker or Counselor, at the national level and not just in your own state.
Now to become a Psychiatrist, you'll need a bachelors degree (pre-med, bio, chemistry), score well on the MCATs (requirement for Med school application) then 4 years of medical school followed by 2-4 years of residency depending again on where you get your residency. Psychiatrists can do everything psychologists do with the additional licensure and cerification to prescribe medication.
If you want to expedite your education to just be in the mental health field you can consider going for a masters in Social Work or Counseling. Master's program range between 2-3 years at the full time attendance pace again depending on the University you select. Be sure to select a university program that has the credentialing of APA (American Psychological Association) or CACREP (Counsel of Accredited Counseling and Related Educational Program). This is significant when it comes to licensures for practicing as a Psycologist, Social Worker or Counselor, at the national level and not just in your own state.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this! Thank you, Griselda!
Hazel
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Hazel !
In order to become a Clinical Psychologist in your state of Washington, it would take 10-13 years of college. There are some other careers in which one can be involved in clinical therapy and the best and most marketable one I can think of is to pursue becoming a Social Worker which takes six years for a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree.
The path for social work would prepare you, certify you and license you to practice clinical therapy. You can also consider becoming a specific counselor (Clinical Mental Health Counselor) but your work for this would be on a more short term basis with clients. No matter which career in this field you choose, you will always be interacting with the patients' other professional team. I would suggest watching some videos on You Tube in which people in these careers talk about what it's like.
The field of mental health and social services is slightly competitive, but contacts and networking can make a big difference. Keep in mind, more than it being competitive, there are more agencies for this work in large cities than in most small towns. Attending mental health conferences would be an excellent way to both network as well as become familiar with what is available in the town or city you wish you work in.
The requirements to enroll in college and major in this field would solely depend on the college that you apply to. Do a search online for that colleges' acceptance rate to see the percentage of students they accept to the college. Then go to the college website and read about the program that you want to major in. That is where you will find the prerequisites which you can take at that college. While still in high school, take any psychology, sociology and health science classes if they are offered at your high school. Good grades, a high GPA, volunteer work and extracurriculars will make a big difference, too.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
In order to become a Clinical Psychologist in your state of Washington, it would take 10-13 years of college. There are some other careers in which one can be involved in clinical therapy and the best and most marketable one I can think of is to pursue becoming a Social Worker which takes six years for a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree.
The path for social work would prepare you, certify you and license you to practice clinical therapy. You can also consider becoming a specific counselor (Clinical Mental Health Counselor) but your work for this would be on a more short term basis with clients. No matter which career in this field you choose, you will always be interacting with the patients' other professional team. I would suggest watching some videos on You Tube in which people in these careers talk about what it's like.
The field of mental health and social services is slightly competitive, but contacts and networking can make a big difference. Keep in mind, more than it being competitive, there are more agencies for this work in large cities than in most small towns. Attending mental health conferences would be an excellent way to both network as well as become familiar with what is available in the town or city you wish you work in.
The requirements to enroll in college and major in this field would solely depend on the college that you apply to. Do a search online for that colleges' acceptance rate to see the percentage of students they accept to the college. Then go to the college website and read about the program that you want to major in. That is where you will find the prerequisites which you can take at that college. While still in high school, take any psychology, sociology and health science classes if they are offered at your high school. Good grades, a high GPA, volunteer work and extracurriculars will make a big difference, too.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Thanks Michelle! On the other side of clinical psychology, I've also considered getting my BA to do something with media psychology or the entertainment industry which I see you're a part of. Can I ask what you do and where your degree has gotten you? I appreciate the time you took to answer my questions, this was super helpful!
Hazel
You're welcome. I am in Acting. My Bachelors is in Theatre. Well, out of college my first non-acting job was in administration at a major theatre complex in Downtown Los Angeles and even worked on the Academy Awards. Many years later, I was the Admissions Director at the National Shakespeare Conservatory (no longer exists) in New York, NY for one semester. My real love is Acting so whenever I am available for it I submit my materials. The degree really did afford me great opportunities to be around dynamic theatre people including other actors.
Michelle M.