Obtaining a 2nd Master's Level Degree

[Culenn]

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Hello to everyone. This is my first post on this board. I've been reading some of the discussions and have enjoyed a number of intelligent conversations. I am hoping to take advantage of some of the advice I've seen doled out.

In 2006 I completed my MA in Forensic Psychology. Unfortunately due to a combination or not doing enough research on my end and lack of proper supervision I'm feeling a bit disappointed in my choice. I'm currently considering going back to school.

I was considering going back for my MSW or my MA in Counseling, but was recently talking with a supervisor at my job who gave me some advice that has thrown me for a loop. My main motivation behind returning to school is to gain licensure so I can open up my options for better job opportunities in the future and so that I will be able to provide therapy/counseling. He told me that when it comes down to the nitty gritty facts, getting a license is only necessary (and worth the time/money) if you want to open up a private practice. I'm not saying that will never happen but the ability to open up my own practice is not a big priority for me at this time in my life.

I'm hoping some of the individuals here can provide some further advisement on the subject. Part of me really wants to pursue another degree because I think it will open up more doors for me, but the other part is worried that I'm just wasting time and money repeating a lot of previous work by obtaining a second master's level degree and that the benefits will not be enough to justify the time/money spent.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

What do you want to do as a career?

Many people who have forensic degrees are in law enforcement or related areas that do not require a licensure. Others works with juvenile justice and do counseling and whatnot, which requires a licensure. If you can figure out what you want to do, you can then figure out what you need to get there.

-t

 

[Culenn]

therapist4chnge,

In terms of long-term goals I don't now exactly where I want to end up, but I definitely went into forensic psych for the more clinical aspects of the job. I don't have any interest in going into law enforcement as you mentioned. I'm very interested in working in offender re-entry and treatment. I work closely with our agency's jail diversion program now and would love to get more involved with that in the future.

My other strong interest now is working within the hospital system both in treatment and in discharge coordinating. I also see myself, somewhat long-term wanting to be involved in the policy and procedures side to the mental health system as I think there's a lot of work that needs to be done in improving the quality and quantity of care available to those with mental illness.

I think that I've 90% decided that if I do go back, the better of my options would be to get a MSW. Now it's just a matter of whether that's truly necessary for my goals and whether it's worth the investment.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Aura5]

therapist4chnge,

In terms of long-term goals I don't now exactly where I want to end up, but I definitely went into forensic psych for the more clinical aspects of the job. I don't have any interest in going into law enforcement as you mentioned. I'm very interested in working in offender re-entry and treatment. I work closely with our agency's jail diversion program now and would love to get more involved with that in the future.

You know, it's interesting Culenn, because your aspirations sound close to what I hope to get to one day. However, I'm taking the clinical psychology route to get there. I haven't done anything past a BA (not even in psych) yet, so I'm still really starting out. I was looking at forensic vs clinical, and it just seemed clinical was leaning more towards what I wanted. The therapy/treatment/psychological side of treating an individual, less the court-room legal kind of stuff.. But the population you describe (offenders) is basically my goal of who to treat! At least, that's where I stand now (and have stood for a while)...

sorry I have no better advice though!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Just to clarify, forensics is a speciality/concentration within clinical psychology. You get all of the training of a generalist, with additional training in the area of forensics.

-t

 

[Aura5]

Just to clarify, forensics is a speciality/concentration within clinical psychology. You get all of the training of a generalist, with additional training in the area of forensics.

-t

oh, really? Well thanks for clarifying...!! The resources I'd viewed seemed to present it as an either/or kind of thing, but I could have misunderstood.

Let me just try to re-clarify - the things I've read made forensic psych seem more like applying psychology to the criminal justice system, including legal aspects and policy, sanity vs. insanity, etc. I'm looking more for just the psychological treatment aspect, with offenders as the population - not legal stuff. Would that still fall under forensic?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

oh, really? Well thanks for clarifying...!! The resources I'd viewed seemed to present it as an either/or kind of thing, but I could have misunderstood.

Let me just try to re-clarify - the things I've read made forensic psych seem more like applying psychology to the criminal justice system, including legal aspects and policy, sanity vs. insanity, etc. I'm looking more for just the psychological treatment aspect, with offenders as the population - not legal stuff. Would that still fall under forensic?

It is all of that. Some people prefer the competency assessments part of it. Other people are expert witnesses, defense consultants, etc. The 'applied' part is more with working with the juvi courts (and adult I guess....but the people I know do child/family work). This work can be individual/group therapy, substance abuse counseling, halfway house work, etc. There really are a number of areas within the specialty. A friend of mine worked at a boys/adolescent facility that worked with kids <18 who were placed there for drug/crime/gang related issues. He did everything from individual and group counseling, to life skills, substance abuse education, etc.

-t

 

[Aura5]

It is all of that. Some people prefer the competency assessments part of it. Other people are expert witnesses, defense consultants, etc. The 'applied' part is more with working with the juvi courts (and adult I guess....but the people I know do child/family work). This work can be individual/group therapy, substance abuse counseling, halfway house work, etc. There really are a number of areas within the specialty. A friend of mine worked at a boys/adolescent facility that worked with kids <18 who were placed there for drug/crime/gang related issues. He did everything from individual and group counseling, to life skills, substance abuse education, etc.

-t

And the friend has a forensic psychology degree? Hmm. So I guess I'm looking for a clincial forensic psychology degree, with perhaps an emphasis on the applied part. Do the people you know have a PhD or Psyd? Just curious. As I've been trying to orchestrate my "plan" for what to do, I've been leaning towards a PsyD in my mind.

And sorry if this is impeding on your thread, Culenn!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

And the friend has a forensic psychology degree? Hmm. So I guess I'm looking for a clinical forensic psychology degree, with perhaps an emphasis on the applied part. Do the people you know have a PhD or Psyd? Just curious. As I've been trying to orchestrate my "plan" for what to do, I've been leaning towards a PsyD in my mind.

And sorry if this is impeding on your thread, Culenn!

They have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (w/ a focus on forensics), and the other has a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology (w/ a focus on forensics).

-t

 

[Aura5]

They have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (w/ a focus on forensics), and the other has a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology (w/ a focus on forensics).

-t

Aha! The latter sounds like what I'm looking for then.

Thanks for the info...