Well I'm only a first year student, but when first going into psychology I was interested in clinical psychology (although to be honest I really didn't know about much else.) However, I started to learn about the more biological side (such as cognitive neuroscience) and this really interested me. Recently though I've been thinking about clinical psychology again. It would probably be easier for me because I am not so great at the sciences/math (or at least I wasn't in high school). Deep down I feel like I would make a good clinical psychologist, but on the other hand I'd absolutely love to do research in things such as cognitive neuroscience. I am just really confused about what to do. I love learning about the more "sciencey" side of psychology, but I don't think I have what it takes, and think I might be better suited to clinical psychology.. I would love to be able to help people and have been told I'd make a wonderful counsellor (I really love to listen to people and try to help them through problems.) Does anyone have any advice? It's kind of a silly question really but.. I'm confused about what to do, if anyone has any stories about how they figured out what field they wanted to go into.. or want to go into one day.
Not really sure what field of psychology I'd like to go into?
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When you say "first year student", are you referring to 1st year in a 4 year degree program? Like a Bachelor of Psychology? Or are you a graduate student?
If you are new to college, I would pick whatever degree interests you and go for it. You can't go wrong with a BA or BS in Psychology or a Bachelor's in Social Work: Minor in Psychology. These degrees can all be very valuable in leading you to professions in the field of counseling, mental health, psychotherapy.
If you are new to college, I would pick whatever degree interests you and go for it. You can't go wrong with a BA or BS in Psychology or a Bachelor's in Social Work: Minor in Psychology. These degrees can all be very valuable in leading you to professions in the field of counseling, mental health, psychotherapy.
Sorry, I mean first year undergrad (BA in Psychology). The only problem is that both interest me, but for one I would have to take additional science courses and the other I wouldn't... it's hard to know what I should take to sort of "accompany" my psychology courses.
Well, one thing to understand. Clinical psychology produces (not explicitly) psychotherapists. Counseling is different than psychotherapy. The explanation I always use is that Counselors, offer advice, and are more client oriented in terms of the direction of help that is needed. Psychotherapy utilizes treatment models based on the medical model. If you are into research and possibly some practice later on, go with a Psychology degree, you need to become proficient in basic statistics and all of the other goodies associated with a Bachelor's of Psychology.
You have quite a ways to figure out what you want to do in your PhD. Research will always be a part of your PhD, and it may even be research that you don't want to do in order to pay for your PhD. 🙂 Good luck.
You have quite a ways to figure out what you want to do in your PhD. Research will always be a part of your PhD, and it may even be research that you don't want to do in order to pay for your PhD. 🙂 Good luck.
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You are being too simplistic. Psychotherapy does not solely utilize treatment models based on the medical model. There are many, many types of psychotherapy (e.g., humanistic, existential, cognitive/behavioral, psychodynamic, solution focused, interpersonal, family systems)... most of which *do not* utilize an illness/disease model.
I'm in training to become a licensed professional counselor and while our training is highly client-centered, we are not "advice givers". While the profession of counseling does focus less on severe pathology than clinical psychology, we do have courses in diagnosis/psychopathology and theories of psychotherapy. At the PhD level, counseling psychologists and clinical psychologists are often hired for exactly the same jobs and there is a high degree of overlap in their training.
I always get this from Counselors or Counselors in training. I was not trying to undermine your profession by calling you only advice givers, I may have mistated that, you all are more than well trained to administer psychotherapy. I apologize if mis-interpreted. I do tend to explain things simply to people because they may be new to the whole profession and jargon. I think we can both agree that counseling typically works with higher functioning individuals and families.
One thing I will respectfully disagree with you on are your examples of non illness/disease models utilizing psychotherapy. There is no such thing. Psychotherapy is treatment whereis counseling is non-treatment. You are not formally *treating* a disorder with counseling. It would be unethical to intake a patient and not diagnose, and then treat with psychotherapy. Ethics boards would ask, "What were you treating?".
Counseling is not pathology based, but psychotherapy is. Psychotherapists diagnose and treat. That is not to say Counselor's do not administer psychotherapy. jdawg is right, Counseling Psychology and Clinical is well-overlapped in terms of placement. Counseling Psychologists often get an EdD in Counseling Psychology.
Humanistic approaches, while still considered therapy, just move beyond the brink of the basic medical model and the philosophy is that you do not need to pathologize in order to treat. Famous counselors like Gerald Corey write books on this stuff, and discuss even the idea that diagnosing is bad. Unfortunately, in the spirit of pragmatism, it isn't formal (you getting paid) therapy if you aren't treating a diagnosis. Which, much to my chagrin, is in the spirit of the insurance companies.
Of course you can operate a private practice for the well-financed privateers, which is always a lucrative business. Then, you can call it whatever you want as long as you are within state guidelines.
One thing I will respectfully disagree with you on are your examples of non illness/disease models utilizing psychotherapy. There is no such thing. Psychotherapy is treatment whereis counseling is non-treatment. You are not formally *treating* a disorder with counseling. It would be unethical to intake a patient and not diagnose, and then treat with psychotherapy. Ethics boards would ask, "What were you treating?".
Counseling is not pathology based, but psychotherapy is. Psychotherapists diagnose and treat. That is not to say Counselor's do not administer psychotherapy. jdawg is right, Counseling Psychology and Clinical is well-overlapped in terms of placement. Counseling Psychologists often get an EdD in Counseling Psychology.
Humanistic approaches, while still considered therapy, just move beyond the brink of the basic medical model and the philosophy is that you do not need to pathologize in order to treat. Famous counselors like Gerald Corey write books on this stuff, and discuss even the idea that diagnosing is bad. Unfortunately, in the spirit of pragmatism, it isn't formal (you getting paid) therapy if you aren't treating a diagnosis. Which, much to my chagrin, is in the spirit of the insurance companies.
Of course you can operate a private practice for the well-financed privateers, which is always a lucrative business. Then, you can call it whatever you want as long as you are within state guidelines.
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Being a talk therapist or counselor can be accomplished through several career paths: Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling Psychology, and Clinical Psychology.
The scope of practice for clinical psychologists extends beyond talk-therapy: some clinical psychologists are only involved in psychological assessment, or in research. Having strong scientific aptitude is one of the most valued traits during the admissions process: you need to be a good statistician, and have experience working in a laboratory. Liking the science is a reason to go into clinical psychology; it will not be a fun or easy path if you don't.
You're still a freshman at any rate, and there's no rush to decide on anything: If you think you'll like neuroscience take some more classes physiological psychology and cellular biology. Most psychology majors will require you to take a little bit of cognitive, behavioral, social, and developmental psychology: so you'll be better equipped to make up your mind later on.
Take statistics and research methods as soon as you can. And try to find out about the research psychology professors are doing on campus, and what it would take to get involved. The sooner you start doing research the sooner you can figure out if you're suited for it, and you'll be better equipped to attempt an honors thesis or attempt projects of your own by the time you're a senior.
