What programs (Psy.D.) should I look at if I want to focus on tests/assessments?

[caitlinelise10]

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I noticed that most programs have quite a few courses in testing and assessment, but what kind of concentration or tract should I look for? Neuropsych? Thanks!

 

[MoElyassi]

I noticed that most programs have quite a few courses in testing and assessment, but what kind of concentration or tract should I look for? Neuropsych? Thanks!

nowadays it doesn't matter what you take.. you should follow your heart. lol seriously..

 

[jnine]

I noticed that most programs have quite a few courses in testing and assessment, but what kind of concentration or tract should I look for? Neuropsych? Thanks!

Why are you interested in assessment and why PsyD? More info would help people help. 🙂

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

A few things you need for neuro training:

1. Good generalist training (very useful for differential diagnosis)
2. Solid mentorship
3. Practica sites and research opportunities in neuro

Tracks/Concentration....can be somewhat misleading because training is far more than just classes, so 1:1 mentorship is really what you should look for in neuro training. I learned more in 1 year of close mentorship than I did in any of the classes leading up to it.

As for programs....evaluate programs and not degrees. If you are looking at Psy.Ds because you don't really like research, I would recommend re-evaluating your training goals because research is a BIG part of neuropsychology practice. Any decent neuro program will require you to be active in publishing and presenting. I read more neuropsychology journals and references than all of my other areas combined, and I am still lacking outside of my areas of focus.

I don't mean to scare you, but neuropsychology can be one of the most competitive areas of psychology (check out the neuro match thread) and you'll be competing with top people for practica positions, internships, and fellowships.

 

[caitlinelise10]

Why are you interested in assessment and why PsyD? More info would help people help. 🙂

I am interested more in assessment than true neuropsych. I want to eventually open my own practice that focuses on assessment and diagnosis.

A few things you need for neuro training:

1. Good generalist training (very useful for differential diagnosis)
2. Solid mentorship
3. Practica sites and research opportunities in neuro

Tracks/Concentration....can be somewhat misleading because training is far more than just classes, so 1:1 mentorship is really what you should look for in neuro training. I learned more in 1 year of close mentorship than I did in any of the classes leading up to it.

As for programs....evaluate programs and not degrees. If you are looking at Psy.Ds because you don't really like research, I would recommend re-evaluating your training goals because research is a BIG part of neuropsychology practice. Any decent neuro program will require you to be active in publishing and presenting. I read more neuropsychology journals and references than all of my other areas combined, and I am still lacking outside of my areas of focus.

I don't mean to scare you, but neuropsychology can be one of the most competitive areas of psychology (check out the neuro match thread) and you'll be competing with top people for practica positions, internships, and fellowships.

It's not that I don't like research, I would just prefer to have more clinical training with some research rather than a ton of research with some clinical training. I have found a few programs that have concentrations in "Assessment" or I even believe Immaculata has a concentration in "Psychological Testing" which would be ideal, but I am having trouble finding more than a select few of these programs. So, what you all are saying is that I shouldn't worry about the concentration and pick a program for other reasons? What are the main things I should consider when choosing a program?

 

[jnine]

Hmm. I think that with additional exposure to the field your perspectives on assessment and diagnosis will change.

 

[cara susanna]

My program has a great focus on assessment, but it's a PhD program. It's balanced though between clinical training and research.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

So, what you all are saying is that I shouldn't worry about the concentration and pick a program for other reasons? What are the main things I should consider when choosing a program?

Yes. If you are interested in psychological assessment, most clinical/counseling programs will off ample opportunity to focus in this area. It is a core area of training at most/all programs. Many times the local community mental health center and/or on-site clinic will have an "assessment" rotation. You could get a on of training in the area if that is your thing. You can also find these types of opportunities during internship and definitely during post-doc.

To answer the "main things" to consider, I'd recommend reading more threads on the forum because the topic has been covered many times in a number of different ways. Unfortunately it may be hard to find through a key word search, but if you look for threads about choosing programs and/or identifying an area of interest....some good information should come up.