While the advice given to the OP has been honest and blunt, it doesn't really seem like anyone gave any advice (and sorry if i missed it) on how to actually turn his situation around. He probably feels stuck, came on here for advice but most of what he got was criticism. Again, I'm not asking about the OP specifically, but for the motivated, intelligent, mature individual who just happened to make some poor academic choices. Is he/she doomed forever? Or is there a chance he can still pursue his dreams?
You have to do the work - there is no way around it. My grandmother said if PhDs were easy, they would hand them out - which they do not nor should they.
If the OP has only enough energy for one more degree than reframe your thinking or earn your degree to be writer, but do not practice as a therapist without legitimate and proper training. It is detrimental to anyone you serve.
And don't get me started about not having energy and wanting that PhD. I have 4 kids, I work my behind off on my clinical and research work, I critically absorb knowledge in my spare time, I work hard at a loving relationship with my husband, I maintain solid friendships with an active & fun social life, and I still make some time for SDN. But I am the exception and if you want what you want, you must figure out how to be exceptional amongst your peers; otherwise, you may not have what the profession calls for....and there are important reasons why we cannot exceed certain limitations. Where there is a will, there is certainly a way....but a proper way vs. a cheap, crude way of obtaining your goals.
One perfect formula that I see countless times for those pursuing clinical psych PhDs (who were not focused and immature during undergrad) is to go back for a masters degree, dedicate oneself to some sort of volunteer work and find work in research that gives you experience in academic publishing....AND maintain ties with folks along the way who can wholeheartedly see your determination and spirit to vouch for your character & fine work. There is a chance to always pursue your dreams, but we all have to work within our realistic boundaries, as Therapist4Change mentioned about wanting to do neurosurgery as an undergrad - So T4C became a neuropsychologist...the dream was just modified to fit reality. My brother (an attorney) told me after my second year of applying to programs that if I didn't make the cut the second time, that I had to do some serious reality checking and may not fulfill those goals. Luckily, I got in after the second round of apps...but boy, did I work very hard for that to happen! Blood, sweat and tears hard! But this is life, and we are constantly modifying our destiny. The only plan that was set at birth was our genetic make-up (and the cultural & socioeconomic status under which we were brought into this world), but things can change, and as adults, we have volition. However, with our own free will, we must make reasonable choices,
especially if you are learning from past mistakes.
We maybe driving at different mph on different roads, but in the end we both meet up at the same red light....<----Do you like my analogy?
As Marissa4usa said, this concept NEEDS to be grasped. 2014SanDiegoPhD, you will not meet a licensed art therapist at the same red light. And you certainly will not meet any APA-accredited PhD at this red light. (Sounds snotty, but it is not meant to be.) You will not be equal and you should not delude yourself in thinking this - To do so would be an irrational thought. You will receive a higher education (as intrinsic as it may be) but you will limit your legitimate chances of employment. Employers will not hire you if they have to constantly supervise you because you have not met the requirements of licensure. Or they will hire you and realize that you are not properly trained which will cause you more grief. PERIOD.
My last note to the OP is to speak with someone in your town, either a licensed therapist or spiritual advisor (priest, pundit, etc.) BEFORE enrolling in the program. Find our your true motivation for wanting a degree that seems merely intrinsic because it does not fit the criteria that Marissa4usa stated "a) advance their career, b) increase their chances of employment and c) better pay."
To the others, I suggest ceasing engagement with the OP because there is undoubtedly some heated convincing of spirit that
just will not occur especially via the internet, and this type of scenario can only end badly. Black and white thinking doesn't help anyone.
I know that if my child or child/adult patient ever needed a creative art therapy...I would only seek out someone who was legit. Likewise, for any book that I read...I'm always curious about the authors' credentials and even Dr. Seuss was a Dartmouth graduate (not that you need to be Ivy League, but his experiences in life and the path he chose makes his works stand the test of time as they are now literary classics).
2014SanDiegoPhD, you have an MBA - use it to make wise finanical decisions. I think your education at SDUIS will be really interesting, but just keep in your mind that at the end of it, but you will not be equipt to treat the clinical population. For that, you have to work just a little bit harder (for which you already stated you did not have the energy for). However, I believe you will be equipt to write a damn good book (because I'm straightforward, but keep my rose colored glasses on most of the time). Enjoy your classes and good luck writing your book.
(That was suppose to be a joke, to lighten things up in this thread full of tension).
