PsyD. switch to MSW/LCSW

[jmart94]

So.... Where do I begin. This past May I received my BS with a major in psychology and minor in sociology. I played soccer, did multiple internships, was a part of an honor society, a co-ed fraternity, and ended up graduating with a 3.9 GPA (Summa Cum Laude Honor). During undergrad I was convinced I wanted to become a clinical psychologist. I was set on it. I applied to two schools for my PsyD. without much thought in regards to cost and other things pertaining to it. I accepted an offer to one of the schools and went the first day.... I decided instantly it wasn't for me. The amount of money, the fact that if I drop out and won't even be given a masters degree, and the idea of not obtaining an APA internship all BLOW my mind. Yes, I don't have any money to owe form undergrad.... however, 160K to 170K is still a lot of money to be owing! And psychologists don't even make great money to start off! If I want to get married, have children, and do so many other things in life I think that that having this sort of debt hanging over my head is really a terrible terrible TERRIBLE thing.

So.. now I am interested in an MSW track and eventually getting my LCSW. Is there anyone out there with information in regards to this field and the payoff of pursing it. I know that LCSW's can do many things in regards to psychotherapy and all of that. They can actually do many similar things to clinical psychologists.... I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH. Is anyone an LCSW that can tell me more about the field? The pay doesn't seem bad (looking at Chicago area). Has anyone been in the same boat as me?

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[singasongofjoy]

You might consider posting on the Mental Health and Social Welfare forum as you may be more likely to get social workers replying to your question there, and that seems to be the perspective you are looking for. The descriptor for that forum includes MSW, whereas this descriptor is doctoral psychology, although of course there are folks that peruse both threads

 

[George Anderson]

So.... Where do I begin. This past May I received my BS with a major in psychology and minor in sociology. I played soccer, did multiple internships, was a part of an honor society, a co-ed fraternity, and ended up graduating with a 3.9 GPA (Summa Cum Laude Honor). During undergrad I was convinced I wanted to become a clinical psychologist. I was set on it. I applied to two schools for my PsyD. without much thought in regards to cost and other things pertaining to it. I accepted an offer to one of the schools and went the first day.... I decided instantly it wasn't for me. The amount of money, the fact that if I drop out and won't even be given a masters degree, and the idea of not obtaining an APA internship all BLOW my mind. Yes, I don't have any money to owe form undergrad.... however, 160K to 170K is still a lot of money to be owing! And psychologists don't even make great money to start off! If I want to get married, have children, and do so many other things in life I think that that having this sort of debt hanging over my head is really a terrible terrible TERRIBLE thing.

So.. now I am interested in an MSW track and eventually getting my LCSW. Is there anyone out there with information in regards to this field and the payoff of pursing it. I know that LCSW's can do many things in regards to psychotherapy and all of that. They can actually do many similar things to clinical psychologists.... I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH. Is anyone an LCSW that can tell me more about the field? The pay doesn't seem bad (looking at Chicago area). Has anyone been in the same boat as me?