MTF program - could it lead to a clinical psych phd program?

[BobbyMac]

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I keep hearing that I should take a Masters program in Clinical Psych so that I have something to fall back on if I'm not accepted into a PhD program in Clincal Psych afterwards. I'm wondering if it might be a better idea to get an MFT degree, that way I can get licensed after completing all of the requirements. Would getting an MFT rather than an MA in Clinical hurt my chances of being accepted into a PhD program?

 

[BobbyMac]

Let me reply to my own post to clarify a bit: My overall goal is to go into a private counseling practice while having the opportunity to perform social psych based research.

 

[erg923]

First of all, one can become licensed with a masters in clinical psych. You just need to make sure you have all the appropriately coursework to be eligible for the licensing exam.

Yes, it can be done from a MFT, but this is not optimal, especially in your case. The course work is notoriously easy in a MFT program, and will not carry the weight as a masters in clinical. It's a very clinically oriented degree with few if any research requirements. And you need this badly in your case. Keep in mind these are 2 different fields, utilizing different skill sets with different orientations towards understanding psychopathology.

I am not sure why you really need the Ph.D for your goals here. You want to do counseling primarily (which you can do with the MFT or MA in clincial) and maybe resesrch on the side. If you are in a hospital setting or group practice you can pretty easily join and assist in research with your doctoral level colleagues. You probably wouldn't be the one in charge, but you could certianly be involved.

 

[BobbyMac]

Thanks again! I do need all the research experience I can get my hands on. Apparently at the school I'm looking at (for the MA or MFT) there is an ample amount of research projects to participate in, not sure if this would offset the lack of research-based courses (and there are a few) in the MFT program.

I found this woman by googling for MFT PhD, she seems to be doing pretty well for herself: http://www.findcounseling.com/carroll.html

 

[HVACPSM]

Yes, she might be doing well for herself, but given her licensure status (LMFT only), you have to wonder what value added she gained from getting her PhD other than to be able to call herself "doctor".

If you only want to have a private practice, there is really no reason to get a PhD - it will take you at least 5 years after your master's with no real value added. As the previous poster said, you can do research w/o a PhD, you will just not be competitive to be the PI on a NIH funded grant.

 

[deleted176373]

I keep hearing that I should take a Masters program in Clinical Psych so that I have something to fall back on if I'm not accepted into a PhD program in Clincal Psych afterwards. I'm wondering if it might be a better idea to get an MFT degree, that way I can get licensed after completing all of the requirements. Would getting an MFT rather than an MA in Clinical hurt my chances of being accepted into a PhD program?

Have you considered a MSW? A Masters in Social Work may allow you to bill independently and to work without supervision provided you accrue appropriate post degree supervisory hours in many states.

This is the "shortcut" to being able to practice independently. I am not trying to sell those with an MSW short, but it does appear to be a faster road to independent practice. Not all states allow the MSW to practice independently; however, the MSW may have more national portability.

Mark