MFT? LPC? School Psych? Clinical Psych? Grad help!

[CampDeeds]

Hello Everyone! I figured after searching endlessly through thise fourms I figured lets just go ahead and see if I can get some helpful info cause I am all over the place when it comes to deciding this out.

My story is: I am currently a Psych student and I am planning to get my bachelors next Fall (2016). I know I have the goal set in my mind that I want to go to grad school the only problem is which program makes a happy satisfying fit.

The interests I have right now is working with kids. From as tiny as like preschooling to adolescence. I am kind of liking the idea of helping kids with bullying and overcoming those issues with that. However I also wouldn't mind working with Married Couples and helping them overcome certain obstacles. THEN I even thought about Gerontology and the idea of helping them cope with certain issues and helping families that have older adults in them work together to find resources and all that. Also somehow toss in the LGBTQ community into the mix as well. So as it sounds my interests are all over the place but while I know I can't help everyone I want to do the best I can considering the burnout this could all pose.

When I look at the grad schools that are presented to me I'm like hmmm I could do the MFT/LPC and have that all emcompassing factor of kids adults families older people etc. but then I recently saw School Psych and I notice that though it is in the school system I am all in when it comes to working with kids. I thought about the clinical route but my thing is I am 26 and I would like to hopefully not be in school by my late 30s (far fetched I'm sure) but the doctorate idea may not be for me as some have said that it can be grueling. I know I'm sure everyone could answer with the MSW route but I am NOT big on Social Justice and while I have looked at the fact that there is LCSW I feel its not as Psych based as I would like it to be. Also I live in California so the competition level is crazy but I am all up for moving if that's what it takes

So Main Questions I have:

1) Which grad program would be a best fit? Is there even a way to combine like MFT with School Psych can this happen?

2) Also I didnt mention it but I am sure experiece coming into these programs is a big factor. What are some ideas for experience? Volunteer with kids or around older people things like that? I would appreciate some ideas for that.


Hopefully I can get some help with this! Making this decision is driving me beyond nuts so it would help with piece of mind for sure! Thanks! =D

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[Chalupacabra]

1) Which grad program would be a best fit? Is there even a way to combine like MFT with School Psych can this happen?

2) Also I didnt mention it but I am sure experiece coming into these programs is a big factor. What are some ideas for experience? Volunteer with kids or around older people things like that? I would appreciate some ideas for that.

Part one is very hard to answer without knowing more. As for part two, there are people who do something similar. Some specialist level school psych programs integrate additional classwork and practicums to make you eligible to do counseling. There are also programs that exist that allow people with existing non-license eligible degrees to do some additional coursework and practica to qualify for licensure. You could also apply to either combined school/clinical PsyD programs or school psych programs that have a history of getting people into non-clinical settings. Some people do this, and then work in a school part time and do private practice a few days a week.

I'd say get as much relevant experience as possible, but you want to try and get some research experience, particularly if you opt to go the PhD/PsyD route. I did many of the things you did (worked at after school programs, mentoring, etc.), which certainly doesn't hurt. School psych would have you working with behaviorally and academically challenged kids primarily, so any experience you can get with those populations will help.

I would also add that school psych tends to be VERY assessment heavy. During my school practica I spent about 90% of my time doing either cognitive or behavioral assessments or writing, I didn't do much counseling beyond what my program mandated our sites provide.

 

[smalltownpsych]

When I was in undegrad and even much later throughout the doctoral program, I was all over the place too. One reason that I chose the path of clinical psychologist is that I get to do all of the above. You are actually describing my career pretty well. If you are passionate about psychology it is hard to narrow the scope so why try? If you have the grades and can get solid GREs and are active in research, then I don't think there would even be a question which path to take for now. Fully-funded PhD program in clinical/counseling psychology. An MA school psychologist is not really a psychologist and has significant limitations. I have worked with many MA level people and most of them communicate regret about not taking the more difficult path of becoming a psychologist.

 

[Chalupacabra]

Yeah, I would recommend a doctorate above all else - any other route that would allow dual licensure as an SP/LPC is likely to take just as long (if not longer) and probably won't have nearly as good funding options. I opted to get my doctorate because I realized I didn't like the practice limitations that came with being a specialist level school psych.

 

[CampDeeds]

Part one is very hard to answer without knowing more. .

If you dont mind me asking what other information were you looking for? I mean I haven't taken the GRE yet but it will be something that I am thinking of getting started soon. Uhhh GPA is about a 3.0 at this point while I am in process of course work so it switches around. hmm Ive been looking at universities all over so I am trying to narrow down the best. However I am not such a huge fan of research. Is there a lot of Psy D programs out there? I dont feel like there is..

When I was in undegrad and even much later throughout the doctoral program, I was all over the place too. One reason that I chose the path of clinical psychologist is that I get to do all of the above. You are actually describing my career pretty well. If you are passionate about psychology it is hard to narrow the scope so why try? If you have the grades and can get solid GREs and are active in research, then I don't think there would even be a question which path to take for now. Fully-funded PhD program in clinical/counseling psychology. .

So for clarifications would that mean I get like an MA in clinical and then the doctoral program? or for the counseling side get MFT and then the Doctoral (psyD or PhD)? Can I start working with a Masters and then get the Doctorate?
By the way thank you for reading! Your input is helping clear my clouded mind =)

 

[Chalupacabra]

I meant more in terms of more exact preferences, interests, etc. For example, bullying is a pretty broad interest that could be addressed by lots of different specialties in many different ways. Are you at all interested in ABA? The BCBA is another way to work with a broad population, particularly children, but it's not for everyone (I personally see the value of ABA practices, but it's not something I'd want to do full time). It's also a much quicker route than a PhD, but again, it really limits your scope of practice.

There are a fair amount of PsyD programs, but not many quality, funded ones. Off the top of my head, James Madison is a fully funded combined clinical/school PsyD that might serve your interests. If you hop on Google or poke around this board there are a few more.

Like I said, I would echo smalltown's sentiment that you're going to get the most bang for your buck in terms of flexibility and both breadth and depth of training if you get a PhD/balanced PsyD. You seem to be interested in working with a variety of populations in numerous capacities, and that's the most practical way to achieve that goal.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

I agree with what Chalupacabra and SmalltownPsych. A Doctoral Degree will give you the most opportunity to grow and be flexible. Off the top of my head, a PhD in Clinical/School Psych will give you the opportunity to not only work in the school system as a school case manager, but you also have the opportunity to climb the ladder and become the director of special education or so on and so forth. Plus you have the added training in research methodology and statistics so that you could teach in a school psych program. Also with the training in clinical psych, you could get a internship in post-doc in child/adolescent psych and open up a practice while teaching school psych. Or even you could do what my one professor does and teach undergrad psych courses and develop child/adolescent psych related courses while running a small private practice. So I say that to remain flexible either do a combined Clinical/School psych phd or do a clinical psych phd and specialize in child/adolescent and maybe work in a school

PsychMajorUndergrad18

 

[smalltownpsych]

If you dont mind me asking what other information were you looking for? I mean I haven't taken the GRE yet but it will be something that I am thinking of getting started soon. Uhhh GPA is about a 3.0 at this point while I am in process of course work so it switches around. hmm Ive been looking at universities all over so I am trying to narrow down the best. However I am not such a huge fan of research. Is there a lot of Psy D programs out there? I dont feel like there is..



So for clarifications would that mean I get like an MA in clinical and then the doctoral program? or for the counseling side get MFT and then the Doctoral (psyD or PhD)? Can I start working with a Masters and then get the Doctorate?
By the way thank you for reading! Your input is helping clear my clouded mind =)

"not such a huge fan of research" sounds like you won't be a psychologist. Might be why you are having difficulty finding out what the various options are because that requires lots of....research.

 

[CampDeeds]

. Are you at all interested in ABA? The BCBA is another way to work with a broad population, particularly children, but it's not for everyone (I personally see the value of ABA practices, but it's not something I'd want to do full time). It's also a much quicker route than a PhD, but again, it really limits your scope of practice.

There are a fair amount of PsyD programs, but not many quality, funded ones. Off the top of my head, James Madison is a fully funded combined clinical/school PsyD that might serve your interests.

do you happen to know if ABA about like helping with special needs? I have heard of it and my current university that I am at now has that program but I am not entirely sure how it all works out. Also for James Madison is it accredited? I have heard that accredition is helpful.

 

[CampDeeds]

"not such a huge fan of research" sounds like you won't be a psychologist. Might be why you are having difficulty finding out what the various options are because that requires lots of....research.

I guess you could say that lol. I mean thats why I have been looking at the difference btw PsyD and PhD because I see that PsyD is more clinically based compared to PhD but that PhD has more options for programs and the funding will help so its my dilemna but also I get afraid that those programs wont be for me Do you know if there is anyway I could do like MFT/LPCC and attempt the PsyD later if I'm able to get working?

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

"not such a huge fan of research" sounds like you won't be a psychologist. Might be why you are having difficulty finding out what the various options are because that requires lots of....research.

This remark seems to be a little offensive, smalltown. I hope you didn't meant what you said in the way I am thinking you said it

 

[CampDeeds]

I agree with what Chalupacabra and SmalltownPsych. A Doctoral Degree will give you the most opportunity to grow and be flexible. So I say that to remain flexible either do a combined Clinical/School psych phd or do a clinical psych phd and specialize in child/adolescent and maybe work in a school

PsychMajorUndergrad18

Yeah I agree the flexibility is also something that feels good to me because look at it as not being limited to help everyone I can. Do you happen to know if there are many programs with those combined? or not much? It doesnt seem like there is

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

I know that Fairleigh Dickenson University has a combination Clinical/School program.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

Kean University has a program. Yeshiva University has one that is School/Clinical-Child Psych

 

[bmedclinic]

This remark seems to be a little offensive, smalltown. I hope you didn't meant what you said in the way I am thinking you said it

I read it a little that way, too.

OTOH, not to be rude myself, but this is a fairly common problem. I feel like at the undergrad level there should be a "so what does it mean to get this degree and what type of jobs does this actually lead to" type of seminar that addresses exactly this. Unfortunately, I think even doing this would likely fail for a variety of reasons. Psych majors at the undergrad level are numerous, and without guidance they take jobs that everyone is overqualified for, for which a degree in psychology is completely unhelpful.

The other thing is that I cant make anyone enjoy research- either in the general sense of searching out answers for themselves or the more "daunting" statistics part. People that dont like that process, quite frankly, will hate more rigorous programs. That's also seen here. I cant imagine trying to make it through my masters, then my doctorate and disliking statistics. For me, it was hard enough even though I love research.

 

[smalltownpsych]

It sounded harsh, I know, but a clinical psychologist is an applied scientist. I prefer working with people to writing up papers whether they are research results or assessment results. Nevertheless there are aspects of both research and assessment that I love. I also love to teach, but I hate scoring papers. In short, paperwork of all forms tend to be the least favorite part of my job. I have become more efficient at it and in my current position I dictate most of what I do so that helps. I guess I just get annoyed with the constant "I want to be a psychologist but I don't like research". It is part of our skillset and informs every aspects of what we do and separates us from the midlevels. There are easier paths to becoming a therapist, but I refuse to think it is a good idea to ever make it easier to become a psychologist by taking away the more difficult aspects of the job. I am embarrassed that we allow lit reviews to suffice at some APA accredited schools.

This was a bit of a rant and it is not directed at the OP or anyone in particular. I challenge the OP to get more involved in the scientific literature because once you learn how to decipher and then begin to integrate that knowledge, then you might see things a little differently.

 

[Chalupacabra]

do you happen to know if ABA about like helping with special needs?

ABA is a form of intervention that can be used with just about any population theoretically, but it is primarily used with people with autism and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (at least in my experience). http://bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/ - here's a good place to start.

I feel like at the undergrad level there should be a "so what does it mean to get this degree and what type of jobs does this actually lead to" type of seminar that addresses exactly this

Yeah, this would do a great job helping clear up a lot of the misinformation out there - and maybe people would stop saying "Oh, you study school psychology - so you want to be a school counselor?" to me all the time....

Anyhow, to put this as delicately as possible, I would echo what smalltown is saying 1) Research is a big part of psych, even at the MA level - you need to be able to understand it even if you aren't actively participating in it so that you're using ethical/legally defensible practices and 2) I think you need to do some further research in general. Obviously this place is a good resource, but it might help to reach out to some folks at your university for advice (professors, career center, etc.) as your interests are pretty broad and various and 3) The fact that you voiced an aversion to research, social justice issues and "grueling" work is kind of concerning. Grad school in psych in any form is going to involve a fair degree of exposure to all three.

 

[Neuroplast]

@CampDeeds

I'll be glad to explain since I am in the field. I am currently doing my MA in ABA from Arizona State University. Behavior therapists conducts behavioral assessments and provides evidence-based therapy/interventions to individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and other problematic behaviors. Some provide therapy for addictions and TBI as well. I took this path because I like both the clinical aspect of it as well as conducting research/assessments. But more clinical than research work is done. I am on my last year and I am currently doing my practicum internship at a behavioral clinic. If you decide to go the ABA route, you will have to do 1500 supervised clinical hours and then present the BCBA test to be licensed and practice. I will eventually be applying for Phd/Psyd Clinical Psych programs and specialize in Clinical Neuropsych after being licensed since that is my ultimate goal.

When you say your not a fan of research, with all do respect, it will make it difficult for you to complete a Phd because part of an entire Phd program is heavily research based hence why it is a "Phd" So research is essential. For this, I recommend going the Psyd route since this is more clinically oriented. But then you will have to be limited by non-funded programs. Just my 2 cents. Hope it all works for you.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

My undergrad college did a 'what to do with a psychology degree" seminar yesterday!! I swear half of the students they wanna do a PsyD just because there is "not a lot of rsearch". But the professor didn't really talk about all the debt people acquire from a PsyD. Well I'm apart of the 10% in undergrad that actually likes research and statistics

 

[psych844]

This is human nature, sadly. People want to be experts and have prestige, but want to do the least work possible to get that right.

But people that are successful, and want to be the best at what they do, take on the challenges of learning instead of taking short-cuts.

I didn't care for statistics or most math, but when I realized that it was crucial to understanding results and conceptualizing cases, it quickly became very interesting. You don't have to like everything either, but if it's crucial to what you want to do, you better find a way to excite yourself. A large part of the "excitement" for anybody is when you understand how certain knowledge (ie something in statistics) can be applied in a real world case. Sadly though, some people are so lazy, and not very intellectually curious, that they never really get to that point of even pondering these things, or asking someone who knows.

 

[smalltownpsych]

My undergrad college did a 'what to do with a psychology degree" seminar yesterday!! I swear half of the students they wanna do a PsyD just because there is "not a lot of rsearch". But the professor didn't really talk about all the debt people acquire from a PsyD. Well I'm apart of the 10% in undergrad that actually likes research and statistics

This is so sad. The development of the PsyD degree was not to be easier but rather it was a response to concerns about a lack of clinical training that PhD programs were providing. This culminated in the Vail conference in 1973 and the creation of the PsyD degree. However, by the time I was applying for internship, the majority of PhD students had as much clinical experience as I did. Plus they had more research experience. I don't regret the solid training that I received and my program was definitely a solid PsyD program, but I don't like the direction this is heading. Especially when the Alliants and Argosys are the ones leading the way. By the way, I didn't choose the PsyD program because of less research requirements, I chose it because they let me in. I did apply to several PhD programs, but I was restricting myself geographically for a variety of reasons.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

Now to me, that should be the reason for pursing a PsyD. Aa person should not be pursing a PsyD just because they wanna do "only therapy" or not do any research.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Now to me, that should be the reason for pursing a PsyD. Aa person should not be pursing a PsyD just because they wanna do "only therapy" or not do any research.

Certainly. Although at this point, Ph.D. programs have by and large "bounced back" and are providing significant clinical training, in part because so many of their grads go on to clinical careers. I would say the Vail Conference was a success if nothing else had come of it but this.

Conversely, a handful of less-than-scrupulous Psy.D. programs have capitalized on the fear or dislike of statistics/research present in perhaps a large proportion of the folks with psychology undergrad degrees, and have thus offered an alternative path toward "being a doctor" that bypasses much of this content. This has seemingly resulted in a tarnishing of the Psy.D. "brand" as a whole, which is unfortunate, because there are some great Psy.D. programs out there.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

Yupp like Rutgers, Baylor, and Indiana University of PA

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

My undergrad college did a 'what to do with a psychology degree" seminar yesterday!! I swear half of the students they wanna do a PsyD just because there is "not a lot of rsearch". But the professor didn't really talk about all the debt people acquire from a PsyD. Well I'm apart of the 10% in undergrad that actually likes research and statistics

The "research is icky" crowd is going to dilute/kill the field. I'm a Psy.D. (from a university-based) and I loathe programs that perpetuate that misnomer. Doctoral training relies on research to inform practice. The "no research" crowd doesn't belong ANYWHERE in the field because what is left are Moonbeam Healers and Healing Rock Therapists.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

Instead of getting a PsyD these "no research" people should just get a masters in counseling or MSW

 

[bmedclinic]

The "research is icky" crowd is going to dilute/kill the field. I'm a Psy.D. (from a university-based) and I loathe programs that perpetuate that misnomer. Doctoral training relies on research to inform practice. The "no research" crowd doesn't belong ANYWHERE in the field because what is left are Moonbeam Healers and Healing Rock Therapists.

Though I'm not a PsyD, there are PsyD's that are amazing and there are PsyD's that are terrible. Terrible pretty much fall into the "icky"/moonbeam healers crowd and the amazing tend to have the same mindset as you. If possible, I'd set my browser to keep refreshing and liking your post over and over.

 

[DRMomma]

To the OP, look into mental health counseling programs (60 credit programs only). If you are uninterested in research, do not pursue a Ph.D. or a Psy.D.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

To the OP, look into mental health counseling programs (60 credit programs only). If you are uninterested in research, do not pursue a Ph.D. or a Psy.D.

Depending on the area the OP lives in, I'd say he/she should look at either a degree in MH counseling or a MSW. Also the school psych degree is a good choice.

 

[ClinicalABA]

do you happen to know if ABA about like helping with special needs? I have heard of it and my current university that I am at now has that program but I am not entirely sure how it all works out. Also for James Madison is it accredited? I have heard that accredition is helpful.

Yes, the ABA graduate course sequence at James Madison is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This partially fulfills the requirement for becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)- other requirements include obtaining a relevant masters degree (which it looks like can be done at JMU), getting supervised experience, and passing a certification exam. Another poster mentioned needing 1500 hours of supervised experience, but the actual hours needed can vary from 750-1500, depending on the type of experience). There may be state licensure requirements as well.

Other posters were correct in saying that ABA can be applied to a variety of clinical and non-clinical issues across the lifespan. However, there is still a large (predominant?) focus on autism spectrum disorder, with even further focus on children with ASD. I have worked in geriatric and TBI settings, with a smidge of Organizational Behaivor Management thrown in, and I currently work with a combination of ASD home-based services and school consultation (largely ASD, but a few non-ASD clients thrown into the mix). A reasonably competent/credentialed BCBA should not have difficulty finding a good job in any relatively populous area of the country (plenty of work in Northern VA), as long as you're ok primarily working with children with ASD. ABA work with other populations is harder to find and, in my experience, doesn't always pay as well.

The positives of this route: BCBA certification may address your desire to work with children. Though it may focus primarily on children ASD, the clinical presentations and needs of these children is highly variable (In one day may go from teaching a child to attend to a novel stimuli in his environment, to helping another child identify times when it is perhaps best to not tell the truth in a social situation, to working with a parent on strategies for toilet training, to conducting a criterion based skills assessment or functional behavior analysis/assessment). There is a huge need for BCBAs, particular for insurance reimbursed home-based ABA service provision and supervision, and starting salaries may be comparable to starting (but not necessarily later career) salaries of psychologists.

The negatives of this route: Relative to my Clinical Ph.D. and psychologist licensure, my BCBA activities are, however, more restricted (e.g., no diagnostic or psych assessments, limited use of norm-referenced assessment). The work often requires a lot of driving around (i like this part of it, as I get a little antsy hanging out in the same building all day), which may lead to longish days (kids aren't home from school until after 3 pm, so a lot of home session are late afternoon-early evening). Treatment is often "pyramidal," with the BCBA providing program supervision and oversight of Bachelors level therapists (typically 1 hour direct on-site supervision for every 10 hours of direct treatment), so if you're all about direct treatment this might not be the right gig for you. Insurance funded ABA is also a relatively new "industry"- legislative mandates requiring insurance funding of services have been around for only about 5 years- so the field is still evolving and there are uncertainties.
Also, in comparison with social work or counseling masters degree work, graduate ABA coursework may be less likely to transfer to doctoral psychology programs.

Overall, I'd suggest doing more research into the cost/benefits of an ABA degree and certification. It would seem to meet many (but not all) of your needs/desires and is worthy of more investigation and consideration.

 

[Neuroplast]

So someone with a MA in ABA is less likely to get into a Clinical Psych doctorate regardless of their experience or background?

It think it is subjective towards whom ABA therapy is used and how you use it with (TBI, addiction, etc.) And depending on the clinical psych faculty on the doctorate program. For example UT Western Medical has faculty doing research on autism in their clinical psych doctorate program. Or would you say it is obsolete for further advancement?

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

I think it depends on the faculty interest and the program.

 

[CampDeeds]

It sounded harsh, I know, but a clinical psychologist is an applied scientist. I prefer working with people to writing up papers whether they are research results or assessment results. Nevertheless there are aspects of both research and assessment that I love. I also love to teach, but I hate scoring papers. In short, paperwork of all forms tend to be the least favorite part of my job. I have become more efficient at it and in my current position I dictate most of what I do so that helps. I guess I just get annoyed with the constant "I want to be a psychologist but I don't like research". It is part of our skillset and informs every aspects of what we do and separates us from the midlevels. There are easier paths to becoming a therapist, but I refuse to think it is a good idea to ever make it easier to become a psychologist by taking away the more difficult aspects of the job. I am embarrassed that we allow lit reviews to suffice at some APA accredited schools.

This was a bit of a rant and it is not directed at the OP or anyone in particular. I challenge the OP to get more involved in the scientific literature because once you learn how to decipher and then begin to integrate that knowledge, then you might see things a little differently.

No smalltownpsych, I appreciate your honesty and at times with this search of mine and finding out what I want to do with my life I think it helps to be honest and true to myself to make sure that what I want will make me most satisfied so as they say, the truth hurts and I am soaking it all in so I appreciate it. I feel like if I have worked this far, the easy way out sounds like a cope out way and I don't give in so easily when it comes to that so I mean I am also looking at what can make me a well rounded Psychologist and if its getting my doctoral degree then there it is. I mean its not like I haven't been exposed to research before I am in a research class right now doing experiments and have a paper due soon so I have been emersed in it. I think maybe I just approach it with a different mindset so I have my reservations about it I guess.

Overall besides my ramblings.. thank you for your input!

 

[CampDeeds]

@CampDeeds

I'll be glad to explain since I am in the field. I am currently doing my MA in ABA from Arizona State University. Behavior therapists conducts behavioral assessments and provides evidence-based therapy/interventions to individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and other problematic behaviors. Some provide therapy for addictions and TBI as well. I took this path because I like both the clinical aspect of it as well as conducting research/assessments. But more clinical than research work is done. I am on my last year and I am currently doing my practicum internship at a behavioral clinic. If you decide to go the ABA route, you will have to do 1500 supervised clinical hours and then present the BCBA test to be licensed and practice. I will eventually be applying for Phd/Psyd Clinical Psych programs and specialize in Clinical Neuropsych after being licensed since that is my ultimate goal.

When you say your not a fan of research, with all do respect, it will make it difficult for you to complete a Phd because part of an entire Phd program is heavily research based hence why it is a "Phd" So research is essential. For this, I recommend going the Psyd route since this is more clinically oriented. But then you will have to be limited by non-funded programs. Just my 2 cents. Hope it all works for you.

Yes, the ABA graduate course sequence at James Madison is approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This partially fulfills the requirement for becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)- other requirements include obtaining a relevant masters degree (which it looks like can be done at JMU), getting supervised experience, and passing a certification exam. Another poster mentioned needing 1500 hours of supervised experience, but the actual hours needed can vary from 750-1500, depending on the type of experience). There may be state licensure requirements as well.

Other posters were correct in saying that ABA can be applied to a variety of clinical and non-clinical issues across the lifespan. However, there is still a large (predominant?) focus on autism spectrum disorder, with even further focus on children with ASD. I have worked in geriatric and TBI settings, with a smidge of Organizational Behaivor Management thrown in, and I currently work with a combination of ASD home-based services and school consultation (largely ASD, but a few non-ASD clients thrown into the mix). A reasonably competent/credentialed BCBA should not have difficulty finding a good job in any relatively populous area of the country (plenty of work in Northern VA), as long as you're ok primarily working with children with ASD. ABA work with other populations is harder to find and, in my experience, doesn't always pay as well.

The positives of this route: BCBA certification may address your desire to work with children. Though it may focus primarily on children ASD, the clinical presentations and needs of these children is highly variable (In one day may go from teaching a child to attend to a novel stimuli in his environment, to helping another child identify times when it is perhaps best to not tell the truth in a social situation, to working with a parent on strategies for toilet training, to conducting a criterion based skills assessment or functional behavior analysis/assessment). There is a huge need for BCBAs, particular for insurance reimbursed home-based ABA service provision and supervision, and starting salaries may be comparable to starting (but not necessarily later career) salaries of psychologists.

The negatives of this route: Relative to my Clinical Ph.D. and psychologist licensure, my BCBA activities are, however, more restricted (e.g., no diagnostic or psych assessments, limited use of norm-referenced assessment). The work often requires a lot of driving around (i like this part of it, as I get a little antsy hanging out in the same building all day), which may lead to longish days (kids aren't home from school until after 3 pm, so a lot of home session are late afternoon-early evening). Treatment is often "pyramidal," with the BCBA providing program supervision and oversight of Bachelors level therapists (typically 1 hour direct on-site supervision for every 10 hours of direct treatment), so if you're all about direct treatment this might not be the right gig for you. Insurance funded ABA is also a relatively new "industry"- legislative mandates requiring insurance funding of services have been around for only about 5 years- so the field is still evolving and there are uncertainties.
Also, in comparison with social work or counseling masters degree work, graduate ABA coursework may be less likely to transfer to doctoral psychology programs.

Overall, I'd suggest doing more research into the cost/benefits of an ABA degree and certification. It would seem to meet many (but not all) of your needs/desires and is worthy of more investigation and consideration.

Neuroplast and Clinical ABA thank you both for your input on what the whole BCBA sitch is. If you do this concentration and then get a Psy D would it be like I am becoming a child psychologist or something like that? I feel like after finishing this degree it becomes very focused on that. Am I wrong? Again thank you for including this infot. I will do some looking into this further!

 

[CampDeeds]

Depending on the area the OP lives in, I'd say he/she should look at either a degree in MH counseling or a MSW. Also the school psych degree is a good choice.

I live in California which is like the mecca for all things MH and i have heard my state is most competitive hence why I am up for moving if I have to

 

[CampDeeds]

ABA is a form of intervention that can be used with just about any population theoretically, but it is primarily used with people with autism and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (at least in my experience). http://bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/ - here's a good place to start.



Yeah, this would do a great job helping clear up a lot of the misinformation out there - and maybe people would stop saying "Oh, you study school psychology - so you want to be a school counselor?" to me all the time....

Anyhow, to put this as delicately as possible, I would echo what smalltown is saying 1) Research is a big part of psych, even at the MA level - you need to be able to understand it even if you aren't actively participating in it so that you're using ethical/legally defensible practices and 2) I think you need to do some further research in general. Obviously this place is a good resource, but it might help to reach out to some folks at your university for advice (professors, career center, etc.) as your interests are pretty broad and various and 3) The fact that you voiced an aversion to research, social justice issues and "grueling" work is kind of concerning. Grad school in psych in any form is going to involve a fair degree of exposure to all three.

Chalupacabra: Thank you for the link I will look into this as well. I am working on dong some informational interviews and ask other people in the field what they do on a daily basis and schooling for them I think it will help

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

I live in California which is like the mecca for all things MH and i have heard my state is most competitive hence why I am up for moving if I have to

What states are you looking to move in? Some states have a higher population of MSWs while others have LPCs

 

[CampDeeds]

I read it a little that way, too.

OTOH, not to be rude myself, but this is a fairly common problem. I feel like at the undergrad level there should be a "so what does it mean to get this degree and what type of jobs does this actually lead to" type of seminar that addresses exactly this. Unfortunately, I think even doing this would likely fail for a variety of reasons. Psych majors at the undergrad level are numerous, and without guidance they take jobs that everyone is overqualified for, for which a degree in psychology is completely unhelpful.

The other thing is that I cant make anyone enjoy research- either in the general sense of searching out answers for themselves or the more "daunting" statistics part. People that dont like that process, quite frankly, will hate more rigorous programs. That's also seen here. I cant imagine trying to make it through my masters, then my doctorate and disliking statistics. For me, it was hard enough even though I love research.

bmedclinic, I wish there was something like this too but nothing at my college has classes or meetings like that but I am sure that would be beneficial to me among other undergrads. I understand your point tho thank you!

 

[CampDeeds]

What states are you looking to move in? Some states have a higher population of MSWs while others have LPCs

I am looking at the West/MidWest I mean I am okay with moving anyone else in California like San Diego or San Francisco but state wise I am thinking: Oregon Washington State Colorado or Arizona maybe and perhaps Illinois

 

[ClinicalABA]

Neuroplast and Clinical ABA thank you both for your input on what the whole BCBA sitch is. If you do this concentration and then get a Psy D would it be like I am becoming a child psychologist or something like that? I feel like after finishing this degree it becomes very focused on that. Am I wrong? Again thank you for including this infot. I will do some looking into this further!

Not necessarily. You'd basically be getting two different graduate degrees. While there might be some overlap, not all the ABA coursework will apply to the Psy.D. Your "specialty" would more likely determined by your concentration in the psy d program, including you practica and internship experience. (I say "more likely" because things can change- I concentrated on behavioral gerontology in my Ph.D. Program, and now work primarily with kiddos aged 2-5 years old)