what type of clinical experiences are you doing for PhD programs?

[PizzaButt]

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I'm a non-traditional student (30, married, came from law background) who is changing careers and applying to clinical psych PhD programs this winter.

I have taken my pre-reqs, and also found myself a part-time psych RA position, which is going really well.

The only thing I haven't done is found clinical volunteer experience. When I decided to change careers, I informational interviewed with dozens of psychologists, to make sure this was the field I wanted to go into. And my RA job has further introduced me to the field and has given me the chance to work one-on-one with a mentor psychologist.

However, I know it's important to gain experience working with patients or in the psych field for admission purposes. I'm not sure how to find something meaningful, however--where I'm not just doing admin tasks at a mental health center. I've called around to some places (mostly mental health agencies) and that's all they will allow volunteers to do.

Can anyone tell me what sorts of volunteer experiences exist out there for someone wanting to gain experience working with patients/clients and gain further experience in the field? I'm really not interested in a hotline volunteer gig, because I don't have the time to put into the extensive training program at this point.

Anything besides hotlines?

Thanks.

 

[psy86]

Depending on what kinds of programs you are applying to, getting additional clinical experience as a volunteer is unnecessary.

Particularly, if you're applying to research-oriented clinical psych Ph.D. programs, they really don't care. Especially if your R.A. work involves some interaction with patients.

 

[Ollie123]

If your lab does treatment research, or you can get trained on things like the SCID/MINI to do screenings, that counts as both clinical experience and research.

Otherwise, the only volunteer work I've heard of people doing short-term without a ridiculous time commitment is hotline stuff.

 

[PizzaButt]

If your lab does treatment research, or you can get trained on things like the SCID/MINI to do screenings, that counts as both clinical experience and research.

What is SCID/MINI? I've never heard of this.

 

[socialcog]

What is SCID/MINI? I've never heard of this.

the SCID stands for structured clinical interview for the DSM IV--in think. And the MINI, I believe, is a mental status exam. Both are basic assessments.