MD to MFT?

[cjw0918]

Hi all, seeking some general career advice/opinions here...I am a new MD and I am currently in my first year of pathology residency. I have always liked psychology, and I found that my favorite part of clinical training in medical school was talking to patients about stresses in their daily lives, family issues, anxiety, and depression. I did not go into psychiatry because I did not want to spend so much time managing meds and dealing with Axis 1 disorders. I did not go into family practice because I did not want to spend my days writing scripts for ibuprofen and antibiotics. There are parts of pathology I like (there's a LOT more to it than autopsies), but I don't know that it's worth another 3.5 years of residency.
I am thinking about applying to the master's level MFT program at VA Tech. Many of their students attend the program part-time. Two current path residents at my program are currently taking MPH courses part-time, so I think it's doable in terms of time. Is this totally crazy?
I spent some time on the AAMFT website checking things out, but there's still some things I don't know. Would it be unrealistic to look toward setting up my own private practice as an MFT? Would I most likely work for a company? I just don't know that much about job opportunities. I had the idea that I could cater (not exclusively) to physician and medical student families since I understand about their particular stressors.
I am not interested in obtaning a PhD or PsyD. I don't want to spend another four years in academia. Suggestions/advice/opinions appreciated...

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[SaraL124]

What's MFT...?

 

[Galia]

What's MFT...?

marriage and family therapy ?

 

[prominence]

bump

 

[prominence]

anyone??

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I'm sure people have done it before, but you may be dissapointed with the process and the outcome (reimbursements, etc).

For full disclosure, I have my own bias about MSs in things like MFT (people receiving specific training in something like MFT, and then branching out into areas that they are not trained for).

Aside from that....if you are looking to do specifically MFT stuff, I guess you can go that route, if that is what you really want to do. I'm sorry i'm not more supportive, but I think the niche you are looking at doesn't seem that viable.

-t

 

[Lunita65]

I am finishing an MFT program and looking at applying for a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. I am not impressed, and if anything dissapointed with the outlook of my chosen career as an MFT. First, you are very limited in what you can do until you become licensed...California requires 3000 hours for the state license. Unless you go into private practice which building a client base takes time, you are looking at a field where you would have to compete with MSW's. Most hospitals where the pay is higher, prefer to hire Social Workers. What we have left are programs dependent on county/state or federal funding to function, and when that $$$ is cut, mental health programs are the first ones to go. At the site where I do my practicum, the paperwork is beyond ridiculous for minimal county reimbursement.
I am not sure if this feedback can help you in your decision...if I had to do it all over again, I would have gone directly into a Clinical Psych program....unfortunately I don't have the inclination for med school.