Does a second postdoc make sense?

[earnadegree123]

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Hi all!

So I have not yet found my home in psychology and this has led to a range of experiences. I am about to finish my postdoc year and I have everything completed except the EPPP. My question is, does it ever make sense to complete a second postdoc? As an example, I saw some open listings on the UPPD in VA's, which is a setting I do not yet have experience in. If I want to learn more about working with this population, would it be possible to get this training/experience after licensure? Or would it make more sense to complete a second postdoc year?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I've certainly seen/heard of people completing a second postdoc, but in your specific case, I wouldn't say it's necessary to complete another postdoc just to get experience working in a VA. I know plenty of psychologists who'd never worked or trained in a VA until taking their first VA job, and many of them did fine. There's a learning curve, but not to the extent that would require a formal postdoc.

You'd probably be better served figuring out what type of VA position(s) you're interested in, as there are many. VA is just like any other large hospital system in that you can see very different things day-to-day depending on what your job actually is.

 

[singasongofjoy]

I've only seen ppl do a second postdoc for research reasons- to continue current projects, or because they were invovled in both research and clinical work and haven't met enough supervised hours for licensure yet.

 

[cara susanna]

I've only seen ppl do a second postdoc for research reasons- to continue current projects, or because they were invovled in both research and clinical work and haven't met enough supervised hours for licensure yet.

Ditto. I agree that you don't need a VA post doc to get into the VA. Most psychologists in my clinic didn't do VA post docs or have any VA experience prior to this job (of course, I'm in a smaller geographic area).

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I've only seen people do two if one was a research post-doc/fellowship. I actually briefly considered doing a research fellowship after my 2yr clinical fellowship. Ultimately I decided to take a faculty position and buy out research time, but sometimes a 2nd post-doc makes sense.

As for two clinical post-docs, I've never seen it outside of weird scenarios, typically involving leaving one post-doc early.

1. Someone had a falling out w their supervisor who ran a private practice, and they were withholding approving hours. They decided to start over after ~5-6 months.

2. The (only) supervisor died.

3. Documentation was incorrect and the current state wouldn't accept the hours.

4. Documentation was not sufficient for the state where the person wanted to relocate.

5. Family demands (e.g. medical needs of spouse/parent) that required relocation.

For better or worse, most places would be very hesitant to consider someone without a compelling reason.