School psychology vs Clinical psychology

[pie377]

Hello all!

I am currently a graduate student in a school psychology program. However, after some time in the program and truly grasping what a school psychologist does, I am no longer interested in the field. Rather, my interests center more towards child development, anxiety & depression in children, and how to support parents. Luckily, my graduate school also has a PsyDClinical psychology program with a concentration in infant and early childhood mental health. I am debating whether to apply to the clinical psychology program since it pertains more to my interests or stay in the school psychology program.
Could anyone give me insight in why they chose clinical psychology vs. school psychology or vice versa? Additionally, what are some unknown pros and cons to switching into another graduate program?

Thanks!

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[niceman]

I wonder where your program is and what kind of training you are actually receiving. What you describe is exactly what some school psychologists focus on. Understandably school psychologists' roles vary a lot across states and school districts. It sounds like you are not that interested in the assessment piece? If you are in a specialist-level program you can be restricted to school settings (though some states allow licenses like educational psychologists for private practice). A doctoral-level program in either school psych or clinical psych can probably give you what you want.

You'll need to justify why you are switching when you apply to other programs. Research experience is also more important for doctoral programs. You may want to read through the WAMC sticky thread up top to gauge how competitive you are compared to some other applicants. There's also some advice in that and other sticky threads too.

 

[futureapppsy2]

If you are getting a PhD or PsyD in school psychology, you can just be licensed as a psychologist and do clinical work with children and adolescents. I know plenty of people with school psych PhDs who are licensed psychologists and have never worked in a school setting after practicum.

 

[borne_before]

As someone with a doctorate in school psych (PhD), if you're having reservations - you should seriously consider moving to child clinical psychology.

 

[pie377]

I wonder where your program is and what kind of training you are actually receiving. What you describe is exactly what some school psychologists focus on. Understandably school psychologists' roles vary a lot across states and school districts. It sounds like you are not that interested in the assessment piece? If you are in a specialist-level program you can be restricted to school settings (though some states allow licenses like educational psychologists for private practice). A doctoral-level program in either school psych or clinical psych can probably give you what you want.

You'll need to justify why you are switching when you apply to other programs. Research experience is also more important for doctoral programs. You may want to read through the WAMC sticky thread up top to gauge how competitive you are compared to some other applicants. There's also some advice in that and other sticky threads too.

Thanks for the response! I actually don't mind assessment. I just worry that as a school psychologist, I will not be able to interact with children as much as a clinical psychologist does. I am also more interested in how to support parents in their parenting and implementing practices such as play therapy for children rather than aiding in the special education process in schools.
I did research in child development and parent-child interactions back in undergrad so that will be a big help in the application process! I will definitely check out the WAMC thread as well.
Thank you again!

 

[pie377]

If you are getting a PhD or PsyD in school psychology, you can just be licensed as a psychologist and do clinical work with children and adolescents. I know plenty of people with school psych PhDs who are licensed psychologists and have never worked in a school setting after practicum.

Thank you for responding! You are right. I do have the option of pursuing a PsyD or PhD in school psychology instead of the EdS degree I am currently pursuing.

 

[pie377]

As someone with a doctorate in school psych (PhD), if you're having reservations - you should seriously consider moving to child clinical psychology.

Thanks for responding! Is there a reason I should pursue clinical psychology instead of school psychology? What are your experiences as a school psychologist with a PhD?

 

[WisNeuro]

One point of info for choosing to stay in a school psych vs switch to clinical psych program is that some internship sites will not take school psych applicants. This is not universal and likely location dependent, but I'd say about half the programs in my metro do not accept school psych for internship.

 

[pie377]

Oh

One point of info for choosing to stay in a school psych vs switch to clinical psych program is that some internship sites will not take school psych applicants. This is not universal and likely location dependent, but I'd say about half the programs in my metro do not accept school psych for internship.

Oh wow, that is interesting. I wonder why? Thanks for responding!

 

[WisNeuro]

Oh

Oh wow, that is interesting. I wonder why? Thanks for responding!

I know my internship site did not, the rationale was that the training models differed too much. You can see in the APPIC directory whether or not a site excludes school psych applicants or not. So, if you had an idea of sites and/or locations you were already interested in, you could check to see if this would be an impediment or not.

 

[summerbabe]

Oh wow, that is interesting. I wonder why? Thanks for responding!

You're likely excluding sites that only serve adult populations (e.g., VAs) and then it will be site dependent based on how well the school psych skillset matches what type of training they can provide.

Some programs are also more rigid in terms of what they like/have had success with, including sites that allow clinical psych applicants but not counseling psych applicants (or state they prefer clinical psych and list previous interns exclusively coming from clinical psych programs).

 

[niceman]

Thanks for the response! I actually don't mind assessment. I just worry that as a school psychologist, I will not be able to interact with children as much as a clinical psychologist does. I am also more interested in how to support parents in their parenting and implementing practices such as play therapy for children rather than aiding in the special education process in schools.
I did research in child development and parent-child interactions back in undergrad so that will be a big help in the application process! I will definitely check out the WAMC thread as well.
Thank you again!

It is more likely for school psychologists to spend more time with children than clinical psychologists as you are in a school (pre-COVID era) surrounded by kids so in addition to your caseload you may also need to help with crisis intervention. Access to kids and their access to services is also less of an issue when you are in school. It depends on what you mean by "supporting parents in their parenting." For school psychologists, this can be done through consultation and workshops. However, if you are thinking about full-on therapy like PCIT, you will probably get that training through clinical placements as a doctoral child clinical/school psych trainee.

Oh

Oh wow, that is interesting. I wonder why? Thanks for responding!

It is not uncommon for some clinical psychologists in other settings to have limited knowledge about school psychology training, especially with the relative small number of doctoral school psychology students. School-based practicums are also looked at differently in terms of training. So if you ultimately want to work in clinical settings, being in a child clinical program can give you an advantage.