Counseling vs Research

[Aestheticism]

Read a post where someone stated

"If you just want to counsel, do not get a PhD/PsyD in Clinical Psychology"

What is your opinion on this? Do you agree or disagree?

Thank you.

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[Justanothergrad]

If you are interesting in doing private practice and billing insurance, the time it takes to get the PhD does not result in a net gain of per/hour income. No denying it. That is probably what they are referencing when they say that. From a clinician focused standpoint, it does very little in that regard. The difference comes in terms of competency associated with further training and opportunities for broader service. Some settings will prefer a PhD although other terminal degrees are getting plenty of shelf time in those settings as well. If I was 22 and wanted to make as much money as I could over the course of the lifetime doing psychotherapy, I probably wouldn't do a PhD despite it providing a better basis for those skills and broader skillbase (such as testing).

 

[smalltownpsych]

It really depends on what the individual means about "I just want to counsel people". For me, I primarily have provided treatment so far in my career and that is what I do currently in an outpatient setting. This hospital would not have hired me if I didn't have a doctorate because they have a philosophy of having the highest qualifications and standards available for all of their providers. Since the beginning of my education, I always believed that I wanted to primarily provide treatment, but have always been interested in the scientific aspects of psychology, as well. I also wasn't sure if I might change my mind down the road and doctorate availed me of the most flexibility. Another personal factor was that I wanted to aim for the highest attainable goal which was a doctorate and if I failed the MA counseling thing would have been a potential fallback plan.

 

[CompleteUnknown]

I hope to primarily provide psychotherapy, but I've decided to pursue a PhD in order to open up the most career opportunities for me. I am also interested in assessment and consulting to a lesser extent, and so I went for the degree in order to maximize my options (and income streams).