Importance of Specific Interests in PhD Application

[da3mite]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello everyone,

I am applying to counselling/clinical psychology PhD programs in fall '15. I specifically didn't specify which type of program because that issue is the basis of this post.

I am strongly leaning towards applying to solely counselling PhD programs since I've read that the training is (possibly) slightly less pathological in patient population.

I really would like to focus my research and training on positive psychology, but since there are not as many counselling programs as clinical programs, and with all of my other needs in a program (like funding, location, admissions competitiveness), not every one of my desired programs has a faculty member who researches positive psych. Do you think this matters?

Would you recommend applying to a few clinical psych programs (that research positive psych in some way) since counselling and clinical programs are becoming more similar every year?

Lastly (kind of off topic), is it a bad idea to focus too specifically on positive psych when I email professors/apply in the fall? Should I be more broad?

Thank you....any advice helps.
-Michael

 

[cara susanna]

I'm at a university that has both counseling and clinical PhD programs, and they're actually quite different. Not sure if that's true for all programs, though.

 

[PsychBiker]

Well, do you have any research experience and is it geared towards positive psychology? Also, is it spelled counseling or counselling? I think its counseling, but I am less certain now.

I understand your concern with clinical psychology, but do you think avoiding clinical psychology will help you in your long-term goals? Honestly, I know very little about counseling programs so I do not know if it makes a difference if you seek one over the other.

 

[da3mite]

PsychBiker-

Now I'm thinking about that spelling too!

Anyway, I have vast research experience in clinical, social, and organizational (I'm 1.5 years out of undergrad and along with the research I completed during that time, I've continued in labs since then). I don't have specific experience in positive psych but it has been a strong interest of mine over the past few months.

From what I've heard, clinical and counseling(!) receive equal opportunities--just in different work contexts. Does any of that info help?

 

[Spydra]

According to dictionary.com and merriam-webster.com it can be spelled either way. Word flags it with the double l though. Hmmmmm....... which is it really?

 

[PsychBiker]

From what I've heard, clinical and counseling(!) receive equal opportunities--just in different work contexts. Does any of that info help?

Maybe, but if I recall correctly from looking at APPIC sites some internships prefer clinical over counseling - I do not think I have seen a preference for counseling over clinical at any site but it probably exists?

To answer your initial question, I think mentioning your interest in positive psych is going to be a "positive" as long as you aren't gung-ho about it, meaning you don't appear as if positive psych is the only thing that matters to you.

 

[CheetahGirl]

If positive psych is your main interest, I believe you should branch out and try your merit (and luck) at both clinical and counseling (it's most likely spelled with one 'l' in the US and two 'll' in Europe...I usually write 'counseling') programs.

Incidentally, my dissertation takes a positive psych perspective, as I am looking at coping factors rather than the disastrous outcomes that come from my trauma topic. So I feel that 'positive psych' in and of itself is too broad and later (maybe after acceptance), you will narrow in on more specific ideas, like type of population or type of functioning (like w/in the context of certain aspect of academics or a certain pathology). If you find faculty researching positive psych, great! If not, find some other common interests w/ program faculty, but don't let your ideas go - it is what will add to your uniqueness of an applicant. Good luck!

 

[da3mite]

Thanks for the info/help, everyone!

 

[MCParent]

Also, is it spelled counseling or counselling? I think its counseling, but I am less certain now.

Canadian spelling uses two ls. Two ls is nonstandard in the US though.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Canadian spelling uses two ls. Two ls is nonstandard in the US though.

Gotta love American (US) vs. Canadian and British spelling wars. Like Canceled vs. cancelled, gray vs. grey, color vs. colour, etc.

 

[PsychBiker]

We should not allow this, THIS IS AN AMERICAN FORUM!

 

[MCParent]

We should not allow this, THIS IS AN AMERICAN FORUM!

Canada is in America.

Do you mean United Statesian? 😛

 

[PsychBiker]

No,

America=US=All of North and South America