MA in Counseling, then left the field, but want to return for PhD

[Maya78]

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I received my MA in Counseling and art therapies (2005), was a licensed LMHC and worked in several places: therapeutic school, inpatient dd unit, eating disorder clinic, and after a few years decided to take a non-counseling job in higher education administration. It's been about 4 years and I have thought the entire time about returning to the field, but I want more intensive training, through a PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psych. Has anyone left the field and returned to complete a PhD? Is it possible to use my desire for more intensive theoretical/academic training as a way to explain leaving the field?

 

[kid16]

I'd say that's a great reason. Perhaps looking into equal emphasis Counseling Psych PhDs would be best as they will likely place a higher value on your MA degree (will even save you three to even four semesters of coursework versus a Clinical program where you'd start off at likely the same place as BAs). Counseing PhD programs will also value your Administrative experience more as well.... Typically looking for students who bring a variety of real world work experience into their program.