Post Doc vs Unlicensed Psychologist in Private Practice

[FruitLover2.1]

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Question about private practice! I’ve been seeing job postings from private practice for post-doc positions and for license-eligible clinical psychologist positions. The work content for these two types of positions is very similar. And it doesn’t seem like post-docs would be getting more training at all, just the supervision that will contribute to licensing.

If someone’s in a state that requires post-doctoral hours, why would someone do a post-doc that pays less than a job at a private practice while they will be eventually doing the same things? Would the only difference be the supervision? Would the psychologist position they really only consider licensed people? I’m an intern considering post-doc and job options so any insight is appreciated!

 

[WisNeuro]

Question about private practice! I’ve been seeing job postings from private practice for post-doc positions and for license-eligible clinical psychologist positions. The work content for these two types of positions is very similar. And it doesn’t seem like post-docs would be getting more training at all, just the supervision that will contribute to licensing.

If someone’s in a state that requires post-doctoral hours, why would someone do a post-doc that pays less than a job at a private practice while they will be eventually doing the same things? Would the only difference be the supervision? Would the psychologist position they really only consider licensed people? I’m an intern considering post-doc and job options so any insight is appreciated!

Depends on your specialty, probably. Knowing what I do about the learning curves in neuro, I won't hire someone who did a PP postdoc. Just too much variability in training and usually a marked lack in quality didactics. Anecdotally, the biggest hacks I see when reviewing work in forensics comes from just such people. The only board reportable issues I've personally had to deal with have also been from the same pool.

 

[silverway]

I just finished postdoc. I had hours of dedicated training time each week, and was fortunate to feel like my training was being prioritized over my clinical productivity. I got very specialized training in something I was interested in. Having an accredited postdoc also made the steps towards licensure go more smoothly (all the paperwork was easy and accepted)

 

[smalltownpsych]

For any position, one would weigh the training, pay, work environment, benefits, career prospects, etc. Prelicensure, I tried to get the highest level of training and experience first and then postlicensure have ranked pay as higher on the priority. In 2018, I did take a significant cut in pay to move to a better area and a position that was more aligned with my interests and career goals.

 

[Sanman]

Biggest question to ask, how is the private practice obtaining clients for you to see and do they have enough for you to gain your hours in a reasonable period of time? Formal post-docs, in addition to didactics, usually have not issue keeping you busy enough to complete hours. PP post-doc could take twice as long.

 

[psych.meout]

I'm doing post doc now and agree with everything that has been said here thus far, plus there are many other benefits as well. There are tons of training opportunities besides didactics and supervision, (which is going to be much more mentoring than just staffing cases). I just got back from a clinical workshop that was more than $2000 in overall expenses. I also have my own pool of professional development money that I can use for many different things, including anything related to the EPPP. I have professional development PTO days that I can use for workshops, conferences, taking the EPPP, etc.

 

[R. Matey]

f someone’s in a state that requires post-doctoral hours, why would someone do a post-doc that pays less than a job at a private practice while they will be eventually doing the same things? Would the only difference be the supervision? Would the psychologist position they really only consider licensed people? I’m an intern considering post-doc and job options so any insight is appreciated!

Yep

 

[AcronymAllergy]

As has been said, it depends on what you're wanting to get out of supervision. With a formal training-based postdoc, you'll probably have a reduced workload, will possibly receive more supervision (as you've said), and will have things like dedicated didactics, possible protected research time, opportunity to work on various different rotations, etc. Whereas while working as an unlicensed psychologist in a private practice, your goal in most instances will basically be to make the practice money (or at least cover your salary). You're sometimes better protected in terms of due process and such as a formal trainee rather than as an employee, but this depends.

Formal postdocs can also sometimes be easier down the road when you're having to track someone down to verify your experience, since even if your supervisor(s) and/or training director have left, their replacement should still have access to your training records. If you opt to go the private practice route, I'd definitely get that verification as soon as you're done (or even in advance if possible) and then save it with a credential banking service.

 

[FruitLover2.1]

Thank you so much for everyone’s helpful advice! I realized I should’ve been more clear in my original post - I’m aware of the benefits of a formal post-doc, especially at accredited sites. I’m considering all my options, including formal post-docs and other positions to increase my chances.

I’m just also wondering about the difference between “post-doc” vs. “unlicensed psychologist” positions out of a private practice!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thank you so much for everyone’s helpful advice! I realized I should’ve been more clear in my original post - I’m aware of the benefits of a formal post-doc, especially at accredited sites. I’m considering all my options, including formal post-docs and other positions to increase my chances.

I’m just also wondering about the difference between “post-doc” vs. “unlicensed psychologist” positions out of a private practice!

Ah, in that case, probably too variable to say, with many of the positions potentially being different in name only. Both will require supervision, and I could see some practices using the title "postdoc" for what's essentially just a job. I would think positions with the postdoc title would be at least marginally more likely to offer other training experiences besides just supervision, but again, that'll probably be variable.

 

[summerbabe]

I’m just also wondering about the difference between “post-doc” vs. “unlicensed psychologist” positions out of a private practice!

Cynically, probably less pay for a post-doc with no additional benefits related to that person’s development.

Logistically, I wonder if there might be some different classifications that then influence things like employment taxes so it ends up saving the organization some money (versus a full employee).

Lastly, an unlicensed psychologist position can theoretically be indefinite (assuming they get licensed) while a postdoc has a beginning and an end so the organization is making a more limited commitment to that person.

 

[psych.meout]

Cynically, probably less pay for a post-doc with no additional benefits related to that person’s development.

Logistically, I wonder if there might be some different classifications that then influence things like employment taxes so it ends up saving the organization some money (versus a full employee).

Lastly, an unlicensed psychologist position can theoretically be indefinite (assuming they get licensed) while a postdoc has a beginning and an end so the organization is making a more limited commitment to that person.

From what I've heard from others (i.e., totally anecdotal), being a post doc means that one couldn't be classified as a contractor because the level of supervision and direction required.

 

[ClinicalABA]

Lot's of good advice here. There are several different options for obtaining your post-co supervision hours (including not getting them at all and hoping you alway be able to work somewhere it's not required, if you dare!). I got all my post-doc hours as a full time, W-2 employee. I received a "real" salary commensurate with my experience and training, as well as direct individual and group supervision equivalent to a formal post-doc. Probably less formal didactics.

OP may be aware, but it bears pointing out that in most jurisdictions there is no such thing as an "unlicensed psychologist." That terminology is a legal oxymoron. Any reference to oneself as "psychologist" regardless of any qualifying statements such as "unlicensed" or "trainee" or "hope to be" is illegal if you are not appropriately licensed. Do not use the word "psychologist" (or any permutation thereof) to refer to yourself in a public facing format until you have that license. Again- most of you know this, but there may be lurkers who don't.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Lot's of good advice here. There are several different options for obtaining your post-co supervision hours (including not getting them at all and hoping you alway be able to work somewhere it's not required, if you dare!). I got all my post-doc hours as a full time, W-2 employee. I received a "real" salary commensurate with my experience and training, as well as direct individual and group supervision equivalent to a formal post-doc. Probably less formal didactics.

OP may be aware, but it bears pointing out that in most jurisdictions there is no such thing as an "unlicensed psychologist." That terminology is a legal oxymoron. Any reference to oneself as "psychologist" regardless of any qualifying statements such as "unlicensed" or "trainee" or "hope to be" is illegal if you are not appropriately licensed. Do not use the word "psychologist" (or any permutation thereof) to refer to yourself in a public facing format until you have that license. Again- most of you know this, but there may be lurkers who don't.

I would agree and would say to use whatever terminology the state you're practicing and/or trying to get licensed in deems appropriate.

 

[FruitLover2.1]

This is all super helpful. Thank you all!!