- Joined
- Aug 9, 2016
- Messages
- 242
- Reaction score
- 205
Hello All,
A little about me: I was an undergraduate psychology major, I've done a great deal of volunteer work in psych settings, and I have found the psych settings I have worked in to be rewarding. I am currently an occupational therapist, while I am happy overall with my career field, I am drawn to mental health work. OT jobs in mental health settings are few and far between, and reimbursement is rather poor. The problems I have encountered in most OT settings I have worked on include a constant emphasis on treatment/billing. As an OT I feel pressured by rehab directors to treat patients who don't need skilled therapy. Another problem is productivity demands: I am expected to take on so many patients that 90% of my day is "productive" - aka billing. Many work sites have a "culture" of documentation taking place before work, after work, or during your lunch break, all uncompensated time.
I am single and have mobility to move most anywhere in the US. I've been thinking I should look into PsyD part time programs; I could work during the day and go to night school. I'm able to take on a good deal of academic work. My undergraduate grades weren't fantastic, but I went to a first tier OT program and my graduate grades are excellent (3.8 ish), as are my references.
Am I ill advised to pursue a PsyD? Any well intentioned people with advice to offer - I'm all ears, and many thanks in advance.
A little about me: I was an undergraduate psychology major, I've done a great deal of volunteer work in psych settings, and I have found the psych settings I have worked in to be rewarding. I am currently an occupational therapist, while I am happy overall with my career field, I am drawn to mental health work. OT jobs in mental health settings are few and far between, and reimbursement is rather poor. The problems I have encountered in most OT settings I have worked on include a constant emphasis on treatment/billing. As an OT I feel pressured by rehab directors to treat patients who don't need skilled therapy. Another problem is productivity demands: I am expected to take on so many patients that 90% of my day is "productive" - aka billing. Many work sites have a "culture" of documentation taking place before work, after work, or during your lunch break, all uncompensated time.
I am single and have mobility to move most anywhere in the US. I've been thinking I should look into PsyD part time programs; I could work during the day and go to night school. I'm able to take on a good deal of academic work. My undergraduate grades weren't fantastic, but I went to a first tier OT program and my graduate grades are excellent (3.8 ish), as are my references.
Am I ill advised to pursue a PsyD? Any well intentioned people with advice to offer - I'm all ears, and many thanks in advance.