Online MA or MS in....possible?

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markglt

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Does anybody know of any 100% online accredited schools to get an MA or MS in either cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, or such related field?
 
lets not get into this debate again.......🙄
 
not looking for a debate, just throw me a few good names...if they exist
 
the above is true, and even if there were some, many of us would not recommend this path, as it perpetuates the view that this a legitimate model of education for this field. In general, it is not. Moreover, one can certainly not learn clinical skills in a 100% online environment......🙄
 
Doesn't exist, even if it did your life would be more difficult because of it.
 
I just enrolled in Seton Hall's online program. It's an MA in Counseling, with the coursework online. However, it does require a few 4 day residencies at their campus and of course supervised internship. It's designed for working adults though, so it could help you out. Seton Hall isn't Harvard, but it's a heck of a lot more reputable than, say Argosy. The school I earned my UG at (Regis) has online grad certs in MFT and Addiction Counseling, so I'll add those, then obtain my various licenses.
 
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I recently browsed through the APA web site. There are no online programs that they recognize. Also, I think that the benefits of a campus education in this discipline are needed to be an effective practitioner. For example, a simple role playing exercise in therapeutic interactions can really make the coin drop.

If you feel that online is for you, check with your state's board of psychology requirements for licensure to see if the curriculum matches. Goods luck.
 
Its important to understand the implications of online coursework. While I think that it is possible to complete some coursework online (namely reading based courses) psychology is a science, which means "hands on". You might be able to learn certain aspects of the science through reading and taking an online course, but you cannot learn to be a scientist through an online environment. Imagine trying to learn how to drive a car online. While you can learn the rules of the road, gain an understanding of the operations of an automobile, etc. online, you cannot actually learn to drive the car until you get into the car and practice. Similarly, you cannot become a scientist by participating in online forums, chat rooms, reading texts, and taking quizzes. Suggesting so demeans the profession and identifies a lack of understanding in what graduate work in psychology is all about.

I do know of some "hybrid" programs that offer online courses for some topics, or some of the classes have online components (i.e. you watch lectures through online videos, take quizzes online, etc. but you still have class time that includes discussion, hands on learning, etc.) I think the internet is a viable resource in academia, and used properly can enhance the learning environment, but I think academia has been too quick to develop online programs without perfecting the technology or understanding what works in an online environment and what doesn't. In my experience, most online courses depend on students reading materials and taking quizzes. Frankly, why am I going to pay $1000 or more to read a text? If thats all it takes to learn, why is grad. school required? Unfortunately, I think we are going to see more and more online programs, across many different disciplines.

Bottom Line: Online MA/MS programs do exist, but I would be very concerned. After all, is it your goal to get a degree, or is it your goal to actually learn something?
 
Heres a post a wrote a while ago about Argosy:

It is amazing how so many get pulled into this scam. Diploma mills are on the rise, especially with the popularity of the internet. My advice to all that wish to attend graduate school, particularly a doctoral program, is to get good undergraduate grades, study hard for the GMAT/GRE, get some research experience, research your options, and then apply to well-respected programs. I know that programs like these give some of us "hope" that we can become a "doctor" the easy way, skip the GRE, etc., but guess what, becoming a doctor is hard work. It isn't meant to be easy. Receiving a graduate degree takes years of hard work, ambition, and sacrifice. The idea is to become an expert in your filed, and the easy route won't get you there.

Bottom line: Argosy and it's peers are nothing more than diploma mills. Why not attend a public or private research university? If your answer includes: its too hard, I don' t wan't to study for the GRE, I can't get in, etc. than maybe you aren't cut out for graduate level work. If state schools won't accept you but Argosy will, what does that tell you? In the end, your diploma (if you are one of the few to complete the program) won't be worth the paper it is printed on. Your degree is only worth as much as the respect of the university it came from.

There was a point I considered the Argosy route. Like many (probably a few reading this) I didn't have the grades to apply, I was terrified of the GRE, and didn't believe I could succeed in a competitive program. But one day I realized I was making a choice that would predict my future, and I didn't want a $100,000 piece of paper, I wanted to "earn" the right to be a doctor. So, now I am in the process of raising my grades, studying for the GRE, and gaining solid research experience. It isn't easy but in the end I will be happy I did it. I will be able to earn my right to be a doctor.
 
Its important to understand the implications of online coursework. While I think that it is possible to complete some coursework online (namely reading based courses) psychology is a science, which means "hands on". You might be able to learn certain aspects of the science through reading and taking an online course, but you cannot learn to be a scientist through an online environment. Imagine trying to learn how to drive a car online. While you can learn the rules of the road, gain an understanding of the operations of an automobile, etc. online, you cannot actually learn to drive the car until you get into the car and practice. Similarly, you cannot become a scientist by participating in online forums, chat rooms, reading texts, and taking quizzes. Suggesting so demeans the profession and identifies a lack of understanding in what graduate work in psychology is all about.

I do know of some "hybrid" programs that offer online courses for some topics, or some of the classes have online components (i.e. you watch lectures through online videos, take quizzes online, etc. but you still have class time that includes discussion, hands on learning, etc.) I think the internet is a viable resource in academia, and used properly can enhance the learning environment, but I think academia has been too quick to develop online programs without perfecting the technology or understanding what works in an online environment and what doesn't. In my experience, most online courses depend on students reading materials and taking quizzes. Frankly, why am I going to pay $1000 or more to read a text? If thats all it takes to learn, why is grad. school required? Unfortunately, I think we are going to see more and more online programs, across many different disciplines.

Bottom Line: Online MA/MS programs do exist, but I would be very concerned. After all, is it your goal to get a degree, or is it your goal to actually learn something?


I have to call you out on this post, BSW. There is growing evidence to support the notion that learning online can be every bit as effective as traditional classroom learning, even more so for some individuals. And as long as you're hiding behind the shield of "science", it'd probably be best to actually review the data before espousing an opinion, after all, that is the scientific method, is it not?

And as for your argument that a one cannot become a "scientist" through any method other than grad school is simply absurd. Albert Einstein constructed his theory of relativity while screwing around at his patent office job. Hell, he couldn't even get into grad school at first.

We tend to forget in this society that many of our most famous "scientists" didn't dawn lab coats or spend 10 years researching their Prof's pet projects. They were simply bright, curious minds who questioned the world around them, hypothosized causality, tested their theories when possible, then discussed them with other likeminded theorists. Many of Newton's "experiments" were nothing more than a spinning a bucket of water on a string hangin from a tree in his yard. Ben Franklin experimented with electric current by flying a kite in the rain. Psychology is no different. Social experiments can be performed by anyone. It doesn't take a PhD to test a theory. ****, man, introduce a random stimuli into an office environment and take notes. Viola, you're a scientist.
 
I have to call you out on this post, BSW. There is growing evidence to support the notion that learning online can be every bit as effective as traditional classroom learning, even more so for some individuals. And as long as you're hiding behind the shield of "science", it'd probably be best to actually review the data before espousing an opinion, after all, that is the scientific method, is it not?

I completely agree that there is a place for online instruction in academia. At the same time, I have a difficult time understanding how you're able to refine clinical skills online. For instance, in my group counseling course I'm currently attending, we learn experientially in person. We respond to the thoughts/behaviors(especially non-verbals!)/feelings of our classmates and learn from one another how to be effective group leaders... all while the professor is there reflecting back our shared experience and reinforcing connections in real time. We also attend 10 meetings of a group outside the course. How is such an experience replicated online? Discussion groups? Skype? Give me a break.

In our other clinical courses that are interwoven throughout our coursework, we conduct sessions in a videotaped practicum setting behind a two-way mirror with live supervision by the same professors that have been instructing us in theory. How can this be adequately duplicated online? A couple four day face-to-face experiences? How are professors supposed to act in a gate-keeper role when they are unable to adequately assess the personal characteristics of their students (sans online behavior)?

Certain courses like ethics or human development CAN be reproduced online, though even this is not ideal because a thorough assessment of students cannot occur. Clinical courses absolutely cannot. You can pretend you're getting the same experience (a strong incentive since you're paying so much money), but you're fooling yourself.
 
I completely agree that there is a place for online instruction in academia. At the same time, I have a difficult time understanding how you're able to refine clinical skills online. For instance, in my group counseling course I'm currently attending, we learn experientially in person. We respond to the thoughts/behaviors(especially non-verbals!)/feelings of our classmates and learn from one another how to be effective group leaders... all while the professor is there reflecting back our shared experience and reinforcing connections in real time. We also attend 10 meetings of a group outside the course. How is such an experience replicated online? Discussion groups? Skype? Give me a break.

In our other clinical courses that are interwoven throughout our coursework, we conduct sessions in a videotaped practicum setting behind a two-way mirror with live supervision by the same professors that have been instructing us in theory. How can this be adequately duplicated online? A couple four day face-to-face experiences? How are professors supposed to act in a gate-keeper role when they are unable to adequately assess the personal characteristics of their students (sans online behavior)?

Certain courses like ethics or human development CAN be reproduced online, though even this is not ideal because a thorough assessment of students cannot occur. Clinical courses absolutely cannot. You can pretend you're getting the same experience (a strong incentive since you're paying so much money), but you're fooling yourself.

I see where you're coming from. To be a counselor, yes, I would agree that 100% online would be of little use. However, the blended programs offer both hands on clinical courses and online coursework. That's what I'm attempting to do. Although, I guess in theory, one could learn via internship what they would otherwise learn in person, could they not?
 
I see where you're coming from. To be a counselor, yes, I would agree that 100% online would be of little use. However, the blended programs offer both hands on clinical courses and online coursework. That's what I'm attempting to do. Although, I guess in theory, one could learn via internship what they would otherwise learn in person, could they not?

Though they are extremely important experiences, internships rarely provide the same sort of intensive instruction and "hand-holding" that you get with in-house clinical instruction. Of course a great deal of learning is involved in internship sites, but you need to have a good base of understanding (and a minimal feeling of clinical efficacy) first. So, no... I don't think it's the same.
 
I see where you're coming from. To be a counselor, yes, I would agree that 100% online would be of little use. However, the blended programs offer both hands on clinical courses and online coursework. That's what I'm attempting to do. Although, I guess in theory, one could learn via internship what they would otherwise learn in person, could they not?

Thats not really the purpose of the predoctoral internship...
 
Thats not really the purpose of the predoctoral internship...


Then what is the purpose? Forgive my ignorance, I'm still a neophite in this area. I've done neither the residency nor the internship so I have no idea what it entails. Thanks for taking the time to educate me😉
 
You should be refining/honing your proficiencies and skills (as you are about to be an independent practitioner following that internship year), not just starting to learn them...thats what 4-5 years of practica during grad school are for.
 
I have seen data that shows that at the end of a course, the person who took it online demonstrated comparable knowledge and ability to the person who took it in person. I even buy it in many instances, though will side with others here I think it is largely inappropriate for clinical coursework.

My concern is the other 80% of the learning I've done in my program that hasn't involved the coursework. What I'd want to see is a case control study where one group did the typical "online" program with coursework, the occasional "in person" weekend trip to accrue some relatively small number of in-person hours, all while somehow working full time (which many of these programs promise you can do). The other group would do the traditional route, complete with the 70 hour work weeks, more face-to-face hours with faculty per semester than it sounds like some online students get over the course their degree, and then do some comparisons on broader measures.

To my knowledge, that, or anything remotely approximating it hasn't been done. Until it is, I will remain skeptical and relatively convinced that most citations of the wonders of online schools on this board are done to mislead.
 
Ok this scares me. I am knew the psych field and my schooling. I chose to go to school online at Capella, currently I am only at a BA level but I do want to go forth and get my Masters in time. Is it ok to do the BA portion online and then go to a traditional college for my Masters? I don't want to waste all of my time and energy if I cant use what iv learned down the road....Thanks.
 
I have seen data that shows that at the end of a course, the person who took it online demonstrated comparable knowledge and ability to the person who took it in person. I even buy it in many instances, though will side with others here I think it is largely inappropriate for clinical coursework.

My concern is the other 80% of the learning I've done in my program that hasn't involved the coursework. What I'd want to see is a case control study where one group did the typical "online" program with coursework, the occasional "in person" weekend trip to accrue some relatively small number of in-person hours, all while somehow working full time (which many of these programs promise you can do). The other group would do the traditional route, complete with the 70 hour work weeks, more face-to-face hours with faculty per semester than it sounds like some online students get over the course their degree, and then do some comparisons on broader measures.

To my knowledge, that, or anything remotely approximating it hasn't been done. Until it is, I will remain skeptical and relatively convinced that most citations of the wonders of online schools on this board are done to mislead.


Meh. To each their own. I've been counseling people for years simply based on journals and books I've read on various subjects. It really isn't all that difficult.
 
Meh. To each their own. I've been counseling people for years simply based on journals and books I've read on various subjects. It really isn't all that difficult.

That has to be one of the most ignorant things I have ever read in my life. I really don't know where to begin so i won't even try. You are truly ignorant to "counseling" and way, way too confident.
 
That has to be one of the most ignorant things I have ever read in my life. I really don't know where to begin so i won't even try. You are truly ignorant to "counseling" and way, way too confident.

You've summed up exactly what I wanted to say.
 
Meh. To each their own. I've been counseling people for years simply based on journals and books I've read on various subjects. It really isn't all that difficult.

...Seriously?
 
I have to call you out on this post, BSW. There is growing evidence to support the notion that learning online can be every bit as effective as traditional classroom learning, even more so for some individuals. And as long as you're hiding behind the shield of "science", it'd probably be best to actually review the data before espousing an opinion, after all, that is the scientific method, is it not?

And as for your argument that a one cannot become a "scientist" through any method other than grad school is simply absurd. Albert Einstein constructed his theory of relativity while screwing around at his patent office job. Hell, he couldn't even get into grad school at first.

We tend to forget in this society that many of our most famous "scientists" didn't dawn lab coats or spend 10 years researching their Prof's pet projects. They were simply bright, curious minds who questioned the world around them, hypothosized causality, tested their theories when possible, then discussed them with other likeminded theorists. Many of Newton's "experiments" were nothing more than a spinning a bucket of water on a string hangin from a tree in his yard. Ben Franklin experimented with electric current by flying a kite in the rain. Psychology is no different. Social experiments can be performed by anyone. It doesn't take a PhD to test a theory. ****, man, introduce a random stimuli into an office environment and take notes. Viola, you're a scientist.

I didn't mean to imply that graduate school is the only way to becoming a scientist; however, science is hands on and online learning makes it difficult to learn beyond reading. Just like Einstein, there were many physicians, surgeons, etc. that had very little training and were effective in their time. but would we train surgeons online? One can certainly become a scientist without proper training, but I don't imagine everyone can. If that were in fact the case, education would be worthless. My point is there are some things that can't be learned over the internet. Whether it is science or clinical work, there are components that can be learned via the internet, but you cannot expect to learn how to do therapy in an 100% online environment. I am a huge fan of blended programs that deliver some content online, and other content through in-person residencies, etc., but 100% just doesn't seem possible.

I also worry that 100% online programs are targeting students that can't enter traditional programs. That doesn't mean there shouldn't be something for those students (as I don't support the elitist position in psychology), however, you have to be careful with programs that make it seem easy. I have taken courses that were traditional in-person, hybrid courses, and courses that were 100% online, and I can tell you that the hybrid format seems to work the best for me. Frankly sitting in a lecture hall with 500 other students, listening to a professor lecture for an hour makes no sense. The lecture could have definitely been delivered online where one could pause, rewind, and ponder what the professor was saying. Then, traditional discussion sections would also be utilized in order to discuss, compare, contrast, and actually apply the learning taking place.

Courses that 100% online tend to make the student feel secluded from the other students, you don't get to know your instructor, and the learning seems minimal. In my mind, nothing can take the place of class discussion where ideas are considered, compared, and contrasted with other students' and the instructor's ideas. I feel this is really where the learning takes place, and I haven't seen it replicated in an online course. Hopefully, better technology will help to create a more realistic online environment, but as of right now, it just doesn't cut it 100%.

Side Note: I am a believer that you have to practice therapy in order to learn how to be a good clinician. In person courses allow students to practice with one another while receiving feedback from the instructor. I have found this to be extremely helpful in learning clinical skills, and I can't imagine this could be replicated online. Practice is essential!
 
I didn't mean to imply that graduate school is the only way to becoming a scientist; however, science is hands on and online learning makes it difficult to learn beyond reading. Just like Einstein, there were many physicians, surgeons, etc. that had very little training and were effective in their time. but would we train surgeons online? One can certainly become a scientist without proper training, but I don't imagine everyone can. If that were in fact the case, education would be worthless. My point is there are some things that can't be learned over the internet. Whether it is science or clinical work, there are components that can be learned via the internet, but you cannot expect to learn how to do therapy in an 100% online environment. I am a huge fan of blended programs that deliver some content online, and other content through in-person residencies, etc., but 100% just doesn't seem possible.

I also worry that 100% online programs are targeting students that can't enter traditional programs. That doesn't mean there shouldn't be something for those students (as I don't support the elitist position in psychology), however, you have to be careful with programs that make it seem easy. I have taken courses that were traditional in-person, hybrid courses, and courses that were 100% online, and I can tell you that the hybrid format seems to work the best for me. Frankly sitting in a lecture hall with 500 other students, listening to a professor lecture for an hour makes no sense. The lecture could have definitely been delivered online where one could pause, rewind, and ponder what the professor was saying. Then, traditional discussion sections would also be utilized in order to discuss, compare, contrast, and actually apply the learning taking place.

Courses that 100% online tend to make the student feel secluded from the other students, you don't get to know your instructor, and the learning seems minimal. In my mind, nothing can take the place of class discussion where ideas are considered, compared, and contrasted with other students' and the instructor's ideas. I feel this is really where the learning takes place, and I haven't seen it replicated in an online course. Hopefully, better technology will help to create a more realistic online environment, but as of right now, it just doesn't cut it 100%.

Side Note: I am a believer that you have to practice therapy in order to learn how to be a good clinician. In person courses allow students to practice with one another while receiving feedback from the instructor. I have found this to be extremely helpful in learning clinical skills, and I can't imagine this could be replicated online. Practice is essential!

One can practice plenty with practica, residencies, internships, and some volunteer work as one takes basic courses online. Hybrid models work best according to a growing body of peer reviewed research... anyways I am with 1 * 10^-7 joules on this one... let us not debate... so I will just answer the question: it depends upon your goals and motivation. Walden University has excellent M.S. degrees in general and forensic psychology which are 100% online and a mental health counseling program CACREP accredited so not 100% online, but the basic coursework is. For cognitive neuroscience you will need to gain experience reading brain scans, being comfortable with genetics, statistics, and possibly some assessments, and/or research. Online education can form a basis but you will need to do some travel for a master's in cog neuro... You can teach yourself brain anatomy and physiology and how to spot some disorders of the brain but to really tell artifact from clinically significant morphological feature, the radiology is a little tricky. I suggest 100 pearls of radiology as a good primer for practice along with a quality neuroscience textbook of your choosing and a neuropsychology textbook which emphasizes other aspects, look at brain scans every day for a couple of years while in your program, volunteer somewhere to gain exposure to the real world, get a 4.0 or close to it and then apply to get published in peer review. WU has peer reviewed journals. Are you very interested in research as well markglt? It is easier to get published in legit peer reviewed journals coming from online education than to be very clinical but both are possible. Regardless of what school you choose, are you really dedicated? Neurons are not a game... if you choose online for the wrong reasons, well, you will waste your time, however, online education can free up your time so you can study more.
 
Meh. To each their own. I've been counseling people for years simply based on journals and books I've read on various subjects. It really isn't all that difficult.

What various subjects? What have you been counseling others on? Marriage, social, clinical or financial counseling? What do you mean by counseling? Counseling or lending an ear and providing some motivation? How do you apply the DSM-IV-TR to specific cases and do not just regurgitate quotes from the axes either. Or do you just "listen" to others and provide some advice? Do you really want to deal with the person with BPD and one or more co-morbid features? Do you "counsel" the 30 year old schizophrenic with a heart condition and a low score on the global assessment of functioning scale, or do you tell your friend who is a little sad he should be optimistic? If a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich walked into a bar would you serve him... err... her... it?
Oh, these questions are NOT rhetorical.

Reading an excessive amount and really reading in context and inferring can be of immense benefit, but as most of us know a book, a counselor, doth not make.
 
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I just enrolled in Seton Hall's online program. It's an MA in Counseling, with the coursework online. However, it does require a few 4 day residencies at their campus and of course supervised internship. It's designed for working adults though, so it could help you out. Seton Hall isn't Harvard, but it's a heck of a lot more reputable than, say Argosy. The school I earned my UG at (Regis) has online grad certs in MFT and Addiction Counseling, so I'll add those, then obtain my various licenses.

To add those... get whatever education and training you can that helps you practice better.
 
What various subjects? What have you been counseling others on? Marriage, social, clinical or financial counseling? What do you mean by counseling? Counseling or lending an ear and providing some motivation? How do you apply the DSM-IV-TR to specific cases and do not just regurgitate quotes from the axes either. Or do you just "listen" to others and provide some advice? Do you really want to deal with the person with BPD and one or more co-morbid features? Do you "counsel" the 30 year old schizophrenic with a heart condition and a low score on the global assessment of functioning scale, or do you tell your friend who is a little sad he should be optimistic? If a peanutbutter and jelly sandwich walked into a bar would you serve him... err... her... it?
Oh, these questions are NOT rhetorical.

Reading an excessive amount and really reading in context and inferring can be of immense benefit, but as most of us know a book, a counselor, doth not make.

LMAO at some of you on here. You guys take yourselves WAAAY too seriously. No, I do not counsel extreme patients such as borderlines or schizophrenics. That isn't my bag. But I do teach people cognitive and communication skills to help them recognize and eliminate unwanted behaviors and effectively manage their relationships. I also counsel parents on child rearing based on a working knowledge of how the human brain develops, and help them achieve behavior modification in their kids. I also help people understand and break away from certain addictive behaviors such as toxic anger and porn addiction. This is the type of counseling I'm planning on going into full time. I've studied psychology for over 15 years now and never took a note in college, yet graduated Magna Cum Laude. It comes pretty easy to me. Notice that my post isn't in the PhD/PsyD section. It's in the MA/MS section. Anyone with a Master's who thinks they're going to be treating psychological illnesses such as Schizoprenia, Bi Polar or BPD is seriously deluded. Clinical psychology is one thing, but to be a "counselor" with an MA or MS? There really isn't that much to it. Knowledge of underlying causes for behavior, combined with up to date treatment options and good people skills is all you really need. That, and the ability to keep up on current research, because much of what we "know" (read: theorize about) about the brain gets revamped every few decades. Some of you on here "talk" as if you're real doctors or something...your ego trips are simply laughable.:laugh:

If you find counseling at the Master's level to be THAT challenging, either A) you're not that adept at it or B) you're intentionally trying to MAKE it more difficult in order to feel somehow superior in your profession. I teach people to to get off the couch and run their own lives.
 
LMAO at some of you on here. You guys take yourselves WAAAY too seriously. No, I do not counsel extreme patients such as borderlines or schizophrenics. That isn't my bag. But I do teach people cognitive and communication skills to help them recognize and eliminate unwanted behaviors and effectively manage their relationships. I also counsel parents on child rearing based on a working knowledge of how the human brain develops, and help them achieve behavior modification in their kids. I also help people understand and break away from certain addictive behaviors such as toxic anger and porn addiction. This is the type of counseling I'm planning on going into full time. I've studied psychology for over 15 years now and never took a note in college, yet graduated Magna Cum Laude. It comes pretty easy to me. Notice that my post isn't in the PhD/PsyD section. It's in the MA/MS section. Anyone with a Master's who thinks they're going to be treating psychological illnesses such as Schizoprenia, Bi Polar or BPD is seriously deluded. Clinical psychology is one thing, but to be a "counselor" with an MA or MS? There really isn't that much to it. Knowledge of underlying causes for behavior, combined with up to date treatment options and good people skills is all you really need. That, and the ability to keep up on current research, because much of what we "know" (read: theorize about) about the brain gets revamped every few decades. Some of you on here "talk" as if you're real doctors or something...your ego trips are simply laughable.:laugh:

If you find counseling at the Master's level to be THAT challenging, either A) you're not that adept at it or B) you're intentionally trying to MAKE it more difficult in order to feel somehow superior in your profession. I teach people to to get off the couch and run their own lives.

The arrogance and ignorance of your post is really incredible. Did it occur to you that maybe we take ourselves seriously because our work has the possibility to deeply affect others (both negatively and positively)?

Also, how would you know that counseling "at the Master's level" (whatever that means) isn't challenging or that "there isn't much to it"? You aren't a Master's level clinician and are too ignorant to know how much you really don't know. If you didn't get the memo, most therapy (yes, this includes therapy for bipolar and borderline clients) is being conducted by Master's level clinicians.

The fact you think "toxic anger" (what is that, exactly?) is an "addictive behavior" betrays your deep lack of understanding of "underlying causes for behavior". I wouldn't bet on your unaccredited online program helping you too much in this department, but I guess that doesn't really matter in your eyes because you've already got it all figured out, right? :laugh:
 
LMAO at some of you on here. You guys take yourselves WAAAY too seriously. No, I do not counsel extreme patients such as borderlines or schizophrenics. That isn't my bag. But I do teach people cognitive and communication skills to help them recognize and eliminate unwanted behaviors and effectively manage their relationships. I also counsel parents on child rearing based on a working knowledge of how the human brain develops, and help them achieve behavior modification in their kids. I also help people understand and break away from certain addictive behaviors such as toxic anger and porn addiction. This is the type of counseling I'm planning on going into full time. I've studied psychology for over 15 years now and never took a note in college, yet graduated Magna Cum Laude. It comes pretty easy to me. Notice that my post isn't in the PhD/PsyD section. It's in the MA/MS section. Anyone with a Master's who thinks they're going to be treating psychological illnesses such as Schizoprenia, Bi Polar or BPD is seriously deluded. Clinical psychology is one thing, but to be a "counselor" with an MA or MS? There really isn't that much to it. Knowledge of underlying causes for behavior, combined with up to date treatment options and good people skills is all you really need. That, and the ability to keep up on current research, because much of what we "know" (read: theorize about) about the brain gets revamped every few decades. Some of you on here "talk" as if you're real doctors or something...your ego trips are simply laughable.:laugh:

If you find counseling at the Master's level to be THAT challenging, either A) you're not that adept at it or B) you're intentionally trying to MAKE it more difficult in order to feel somehow superior in your profession. I teach people to to get off the couch and run their own lives.

It sounds like you are still a student, so all of your counseling is unlicensed. One of the problems with this is you don't know what you don't know. Another problem is the legal/ethical issues related to unlicensed practice. Whether you believe yourself to be competent or not to practice, you aren't recognized by the state to be competent, and that could have some professional ramifications.

One of the reasons why I am "so serious" about this is because I've had to clean up the messes of other therapists who didn't know what they were doing. I've had to deal with decompensated patients who did trauma work with quacks, a bipolar patient who was told she was borderline and would dice herself up when she was manic because that was what she was told borderline people do, etc. Practicing psychology without supervision and/or licensure is dangerous and unethical, which is why you are getting such a strong reaction from people....some of whom are doctors.
 
LMAO at some of you on here. You guys take yourselves WAAAY too seriously. No, I do not counsel extreme patients such as borderlines or schizophrenics. That isn't my bag. But I do teach people cognitive and communication skills to help them recognize and eliminate unwanted behaviors and effectively manage their relationships. I also counsel parents on child rearing based on a working knowledge of how the human brain develops, and help them achieve behavior modification in their kids. I also help people understand and break away from certain addictive behaviors such as toxic anger and porn addiction. This is the type of counseling I'm planning on going into full time. I've studied psychology for over 15 years now and never took a note in college, yet graduated Magna Cum Laude. It comes pretty easy to me. Notice that my post isn't in the PhD/PsyD section. It's in the MA/MS section. Anyone with a Master's who thinks they're going to be treating psychological illnesses such as Schizoprenia, Bi Polar or BPD is seriously deluded. Clinical psychology is one thing, but to be a "counselor" with an MA or MS? There really isn't that much to it. Knowledge of underlying causes for behavior, combined with up to date treatment options and good people skills is all you really need. That, and the ability to keep up on current research, because much of what we "know" (read: theorize about) about the brain gets revamped every few decades. Some of you on here "talk" as if you're real doctors or something...your ego trips are simply laughable.:laugh:

If you find counseling at the Master's level to be THAT challenging, either A) you're not that adept at it or B) you're intentionally trying to MAKE it more difficult in order to feel somehow superior in your profession. I teach people to to get off the couch and run their own lives.

I get it...you're a "life coach."
 
Given that fact no one I know has ever utterred this statement with regards to helping another human being change ingrained behavior patterns and personality traits...I would urge you to serioulsy self-reflect on your overlysimplistic (idiotic?) statement.
 
The arrogance and ignorance of your post is really incredible. Did it occur to you that maybe we take ourselves seriously because our work has the possibility to deeply affect others (both negatively and positively)?

Also, how would you know that counseling "at the Master's level" (whatever that means) isn't challenging or that "there isn't much to it"? You aren't a Master's level clinician and are too ignorant to know how much you really don't know. If you didn't get the memo, most therapy (yes, this includes therapy for bipolar and borderline clients) is being conducted by Master's level clinicians.

The fact you think "toxic anger" (what is that, exactly?) is an "addictive behavior" betrays your deep lack of understanding of "underlying causes for behavior". I wouldn't bet on your unaccredited online program helping you too much in this department, but I guess that doesn't really matter in your eyes because you've already got it all figured out, right? :laugh:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm
 
I also counsel parents on child rearing based on a working knowledge of how the human brain develops

I'd also like to hear you explain how this works. I admit i'm skeptical about what recommendations you can make based on your working knowledge of brain development. Cheers.
 
I'd also like to hear you explain how this works. I admit i'm skeptical about what recommendations you can make based on your working knowledge of brain development. Cheers.

I will even get Big Psych an opportunity to get published in peer review if he can explain adequately how the brain develops and how it relates to his "counseling." It is not a guarantee he'll get published *cough* but it is a great research writing opportunity if he so bright... they will overlook him not having a master's🙂
 
Should we not take our work seriously?? Working with people at their most vulnerable moments is quite serious stuff. There's a lot of harm that can be done by well meaning "helpers." Whew, I don't know what else to say on that one.😕
 
For the record, I am an MSW student and treat patients with BPD, Bipolar Disorder, etc. I think your idea of what a master's level clinician does is way off base. Patients have been known to commit suicide because of well intentioned individuals that didn't take themselves or their work seriously enough. While there is no doubt that some do take themselves too seriously (happens in all professions), I would hesitate to say that the work we do shouldn't be taken seriously. The one thing I never fail to learn on SDN is, "You don't know what you don't know." Frankly, it scares me just how much some people think they know, and how unaware they are of what they don't know. 😱
 
And my final post for the night: I may have a lot to learn, but my belief that the work I do is "serious stuff" will no doubt keep my on the path of learning. I can wake up every morning and thank god that I am not ignorant to the fact that my actions affect the individuals I work with. It has nothing to do with my ego and everything to do with my understanding of how consumers relate to professionals and the influence we have over the decisions they make.

BTW: If we don't take ourselves seriously and the work we do seriously, who will?
 
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