More Confused Than Ever! Master's program help?!

[Glissade]

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I'm graduating with my B.A in psychology this May. I've been researching about graduate school for a very long time. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school for a long time but now I'm not sure what program to exactly go for.
I can't find any good information on the differences between....
LPC, MSW, LICSW, and LMHC.

I hope to work in PA. I'm not sure if I want a private practice or to work for an agency.
I'm currently applying for 5 master's programs however I'm not sure if I should start looking at other programs as well.

 

[psypipe]

First you should identify what do you want to be:
A counseler?
A social worker?
Clinical psychologist ?
MFT

If you dont know what you want . A good start would be the kind of job you want to do.

Only therapy ?= counselor ,social worker(social worker's also do macro level work)
therapy and assesment?=psychologist

what kind of training do you want?
Counseling= counseling theory as opposided to clinical
Social Work= no idea
Clinical=Therapy,assesment,research, etc.
MFT=therapy

What kind of salary do you want?

social work counseling = around 40 k to 60 k (more if you have a succesful private practice)

Clinical psychologist= around 60 k to 100 + k

This is all assuming you prefer practice rather than pure research.




MSW= is a social work degree, LCMSW= is the same degree but when you obtain your license after completing postdegree hours and passing an exam.

LPC and LMHC= counseler or mental health counseler.(are essential the same license but the letter vary according to state). First you you get your masters in counseling, mental health counseling or clinical psychology and then complete post degree hours. After completing the hours and passing an exam you get your license which will vary according to state ( LPC,LMHC)

MFT= marriage and family therapy. The license is similar to the LPC and LMHC but is focused on marriage anf family. You need a MFT masters to get this license.

PsyD.-PhD.= psychologist, its 5 or more years. and its ultracompetitivie. And really hard to get licensed

after you decide what you want to be, you need to be sure you have the qualifications to apply.

Hope it helps!

 

[MAlol]

Hi There,

I received my MA degree about two years ago and am working toward the LMHC credential (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). Personally, I wished I had looked in to MSW programs, but didn't because I was told they were extremely competitive in the Pacific Northwest. There seem to be so many more opportunities for MSW's and I have heard this is because they have better lobbyists 🙂

My suggestion is that you consider what type of job you would like to have and in what industry. For example, if you wanted to work for the Military as a civilian helping combat vets, it would be good to know that they do not hire LMHC's at the moment. If you look at Doctoral programs, make sure the program is APA accredited (you can tell on the APA's website which programs are and aren't) before spending 5 years of your life and a ton of cash. Many programs are not accredited and state that they are in the process of obtaining the accreditation, however this can take years to complete if it happens at all.

The other advice provided was good as well. Good luck to you!