What can a person do with a non Clinical PsyD (Sports Psychology Questions)

[Joeybsmooth]

I was thinking about getting a Sports Psych degree than later getting a respecialization in Clinical. If I went with this what types of jobs would be open to me after my first degree?

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[erg923]

I think we have had a similar discussion before about this supposed "non-clincial psy.d." That degree (if it exists), is strange because the purpose of the psy.d training model was to trim down research requirements (ie., the empirical dissertation) and crank up clinical practica training requirements. So, my qustion is, if your not being clinically trained during this psy.d degree, what the heck do you spend your time doing?

 

[Joeybsmooth]

Supposed ? really you use the term supposed to talk about degree. Just wow.

 

[psich]

Supposed ? really you use the term supposed to talk about degree. Just wow.

Yes, because a "non-clinical PsyD" seems almost like an oxymoron. The main focus of the Doctor of Psychology degree itself is clinical training. If the inherent meaning of the PsyD is clinical experience, how could you have a non-clinical PsyD? If you do not want to do clinical work, maybe you should look into a PhD.

 

[erg923]

Supposed ? really you use the term supposed to talk about degree. Just wow.

Yea....smarty pants, I did....so what is it and who offers it?

Psy.D definition:
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is an American professional doctorate earned through one of two established training models for Clinical Psychology. The practitioner-scholar model and the associated Psy.D. degree were recognized by the Vail Conference on models of training in clinical psychology in 1973. Practitioners and academics at this conference argued that the field of psychology had grown to a degree that warranted training persons explicitly in clinical psychology.

 

[FadedC]

There are APA accredited PsyD programs in school psychology as well, so I'm guessing the meaning has evolved a bit to no longer be purely clinical. But I'm not sure how you would have a PsyD in a non licensure field.

 

[erg923]

True, but you are being trained clinically for work in a school setting/enviorment.

 

[Joeybsmooth]

It is always so delightful to hear from you erg923 your constant ego driven tirades at anyone who dares not go to the schools that you deem worthy, or take up a program that god forbid you are not knowledgeable about. It is great to see some things will never change. 🙂

 

[docma]

Part of the issue here is semantics and the evolution of semantics. This might be helpful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_psychology

I think the poster is asking about graduate degreees in what was traditionally known as applied psychology--and that would include performance psychlogy/sports psychology

 

[PickMePickMe]

I'm still fuzzy on the OP's intended degree path as well. Maybe it would help further discussion if you could post a short description of the program you are thinking of pursuing.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I agree that it sounds like an oxymoron, as the original purpose of the Psy.D. was to train students for clinical practice. "Sports Psychology" is a very broad term and touches on a number of different areas. Traditionally it includes aspects of positive psychology, mindfulness, attention/focus, etc. While some may argue that parts of it are not "clinical" in nature, it would be ethically questionable for someone to work in this area without being licensed.

I only know of a few sports psychologists, and they all came from traditional areas and only later augmented their work to fit into "sports psychology". The more therapy-centric work within sports psychology involves more traditional avenues suck as body image, self-esteem, identity, managing the pressures of being student "pro". Some people work with athletes on a team basis, and that work seems to straddle clinical/non-clinical work....but again I wouldn't recommend it without licensure.

The University of Oklahoma has an internship spot (and maybe post-doc?) in sports psychology, where the clinician in training works with one of their sports teams. The placement covers a range of opportunities, though it is highly competitive and one of the few of its kind in the nation. The applicants that I met looking at the placement came from a range of programs, but they all studied in relevant areas. It wasn't my cup of tea, but it looked like a great opportunity for anyone looking to work in the area.

 

[teo3099]

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[erg923]

Yes, yes.....obviously i was just being a egotistical maniac, bc no one else brought up the issue that I raised...🙄

 

[Joeybsmooth]

Yes Erg923, you are the first person to question if my degree is REAL . Tell me where should I go, and what program should I enter to meet your standards.

 

[erg923]

lol..you have yet to tell anyone what you really want to do. You mentioned very broad fields of psychology (ie., sports psychology and clinical psychology).

If your thinking about traditional therapy with players, then a doctorate in clinical or counseling would be necessary. If its cognitive assessment and/or cog rehab of players with concussions and head injuries, then a degree in clinical with post-doc in rehab or neuro would be needed. If its consultation with players, coaches and administrators regarding relations, team-work, moral, performance improvements, then I/O might be applicable. As t4c said, the vast majority of psychs working with professional teams are contracted consultants, and are simply clinical psychs with varying specializations/practices.