PhD/PsyD I am curious...

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

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On SDN, would some who is a school psychologist be allowed to label themselves under the psychologist title on here? Or do you have to have a Ph.D in Clinical or Counseling Psych only?

 

[clinpsyc87]

Label yourself whatever you want
Dr. Clinpsyc87, PhD, MD, MDiv, MBA, JD, Notary Public

 

[Doctor-S]

On SDN, it's up to you, and lots of people seem to enjoy creating SDN user names that are filled with fictitious titles and non-fictitious titles on SDN.

However, legally speaking (and in real life), you must be legally and properly qualified to represent yourself to the "real word" as a "psychologist."

Thank you.

 

[clinpsyc87]

On SDN, it's up to you, and lots of people seem to enjoy creating SDN user names that are filled with fictitious titles and non-fictitious titles on SDN.

However, legally speaking (and in real life), you must be legally and properly qualified to represent yourself to the "real word" as a "psychologist."

Thank you.

This in no way answers his question. He's asking if a school psychologist is considered a valid psychologist like counseling and clinical.

 

[PsychMajorUndergrad18]

I was just curious because on SDN there is a "Verified Psychologist" label here

 

[CheetahGirl]

I was just curious because on SDN there is a "Verified Psychologist" label here

The Verifiied Psychologist status just means you have arrived at your training destination, and SDN has verified your license. In some states, (like mine, NY), you can claim to be a 'school psychologist' with only a masters degre, as does the 'school psychologist' at my kids' school, despite this person only having a masters degree...but there is some sort of grandfather clause for "school psychologist' in NYC DOE schools because most of them do not have doctorates."

In my official APA rule book, you should not claim the status of psychologist unless you have a doctorate, and then practicing psychologist unless you have a clinical degree (like clinical, counseling, school PhD or PsyD). Again, school psychologist is the only slippery sloped-term nowadays, and it is only in some states. So if you are ever in need of school psychologist, verify the degree behind that title.

And to answer your question, even if you did label yourself 'school psychologist' i'd hope you'd have that doctorate but b/c I'm jaded (by NYC DOe), I probably wouldn't expect it.

On SDN, label yourself anything (unless you want it officially verified), but I wouldn't label yourself something until you completed the degree requirements (so as not to misrepresent yourself on this anonymous public forum).

Dr. S is correct, you can label yourself 'SDN unicorn extraordinaire' if you really want to...well, maybe not that particular title...you may be misrepresenting b/c that is my unofficial title 'round here.

Happy July 4th!

 

[Doctor-S]

Your initial question was:

"On SDN, would some who is a school psychologist be allowed to label themselves under the psychologist title on here? (emphasis added)."

1. Assuming you mean "here" (i.e., SDN) ... and I believe that SDN is the "here" to which you were referring in your initial question:

On SDN (which is not regulated by a licensing board), an individual can represent himself or herself as "anything," including "unicorn extraordinaire" as correctly stated by CheetahGirl.

By the way, I love CheetahGirl's user name on SDN (even though it is unlikely that she is a female cheetah with a long tail, four paws, whiskers, fangs, and spots, who is capable of speaking in the English language). 🙂

2. Your follow-up clarification:

"I was just curious because on SDN there is a "Verified Psychologist" label here"

To be "verified as a psychologist" on SDN (and to receive a special title under your name in which SDN has "verified" your status as a "psychologist"), you will need to provide proof of your licensure as a "psychologist" to SDN. The use of the title "psychologist" is regulated on a state-by-state basis. For instance, in California, the legal use of the title "psychologist" can be used by a licensed clinical psychologist, or by a licensed counseling psychologist, or by a licensed school psychologist.

Thank you.

 

[cocobindy]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe school psychologists are the only division under APA that can call themselves "psychologists" without having a doctorate degree. They just need to mention the word "school" in front of the word psychologist, and if they practice independently (like in Illinois) then they must practice in their scope (psychoeducational evals) and they do not bill insurance UNLESS they also have a clinical license. But in my experience, there are school psychologists and then there are psychologists (clinical, counseling, etc.), and school psychologists can be masters or doctoral level. I hope that helps?

 

[ClinicalABA]

On SDN, would some who is a school psychologist be allowed to label themselves under the psychologist title on here? Or do you have to have a Ph.D in Clinical or Counseling Psych only?

In general, the use of terms such as "pscyhologist" and "school psychologist" is regulated by individual states. Regulations tend to restrict the practice of psychology without a license (which should not apply to anything on SDN, as nobody should be providing psychological services here), as well as to one's representing themselves to the public using specific terms. In my state (MA), both "psycvhologist" and "school psychologist" are regulated titles, only to be used by individuals holding active licensure in the specific field. I would think that, push comes to shove, a board could reasonably conclude that using a regulated title on this board may be considered representing yourself as such to the public, so I wouldn't do so. I feel comfortable referring to myself hereabouts as a "psychologist" because a) I am licensed to use that title in a few jurisdictions; and b) I am not providing or soliciting clients for psych services in any jurisdiction where I am not licensed.

As to your question regarding a school pyschologist calling herself "psychologist" here, why would they do that anywhere? It's a different credential/license, representing different training and experience. As a general rule, be honest and forthright (as well as cautious) about how you represent yourself to the public, AND consider this place (and other online forums like it) to be public places, and you should be fine.

 

[DrMikeP]

SDN verifies people who request such but otherwise one could call oneself anything here. In real life different story.