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why Psy.D over MS??
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Isn't that awesome!
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If you simply want to be a "therapist," I don't think there is one.
However, because the Psy.D is a doctoral degree, it opens up many other possible career doors/avenues because it can provide one with experience in specialty areas (behavioral med consultation, neuopsychology), assessment and diagnostics issues (capacity and fitness for duty evaluations), as well as roles such mental health education/outreach, training, administration, prorgam evaluation, and clinical research. If you have no interest in any of these things and simply want to be a therapist, then yes, I think that the Psy.D is probably overkill. However, there are many who argue that masters-level providers should be restricted to conducting time limited, supportive psychotherapy only.
However, because the Psy.D is a doctoral degree, it opens up many other possible career doors/avenues because it can provide one with experience in specialty areas (behavioral med consultation, neuopsychology), assessment and diagnostics issues (capacity and fitness for duty evaluations), as well as roles such mental health education/outreach, training, administration, prorgam evaluation, and clinical research. If you have no interest in any of these things and simply want to be a therapist, then yes, I think that the Psy.D is probably overkill. However, there are many who argue that masters-level providers should be restricted to conducting time limited, supportive psychotherapy only.
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Comparing a master's level education to a doctoral level education is an Apples v. Oranges comparison. Both allow for therapy, though that is about all they have in common. The training, scope, and opportunity options are all very different.
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If you get a PsyD and make sure your training is APA accredited down the line, then you can get a VA job, and be a "clinical psychotherapist" with a decent measure of job security (which you'll need because you'll be in hock up to your eyeballs in student loan debt).
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can I still do research with a PsyD.? Ideally I would like to do a combination of seeing patients and have a part-time faculty position with research opportunities. Is PsyD. the right path to go?
I have a M.S. in Neuropsychology from an accredited university in Europe. I would like to work with patients with brain damage issues (Alzheimer, Dementia, Stroke, etc.).
I have a M.S. in Neuropsychology from an accredited university in Europe. I would like to work with patients with brain damage issues (Alzheimer, Dementia, Stroke, etc.).
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Generally speaking, no, as your training in research will be minimal in all but a few Psy.D programs. In America, the Ph.d still provides the best training in this area.
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Hey there,
As someone with an M.S. in clinical psychology who resides in New York City, I can tell you that you cannot just hang a shingle and practice here with this degree (I didn't find this out until I was out of school and moved here for love. Sigh). There are a few options that require further licensing (i.e. licensed mental health counselor, licensed psychoanalyst) that you can pursue to eventually do so...but both take considerable time, money, and effort. There are other states that are not as stringent, but at least in New York, it's pretty difficult to work clinically with an M.S. An M.S.W., of course, is a different story. If that's what you're referring to, then it would indeed be easier. I would agree that an M.S.W. and a doctoral degree are not exactly comparable, but as much research has shown, there are not consistent differences in consumer's reports of therapy satisfaction based on provider's type of degree. Years of experience and intangible "alliance" variables tend to predict higher satisfaction. If you want to be a clinician, you have options. Sadly for me I've been bitten by the research bug, so I'm (hopefully!) heading back to school for another 5-6 years🙂 Good luck to you!
As someone with an M.S. in clinical psychology who resides in New York City, I can tell you that you cannot just hang a shingle and practice here with this degree (I didn't find this out until I was out of school and moved here for love. Sigh). There are a few options that require further licensing (i.e. licensed mental health counselor, licensed psychoanalyst) that you can pursue to eventually do so...but both take considerable time, money, and effort. There are other states that are not as stringent, but at least in New York, it's pretty difficult to work clinically with an M.S. An M.S.W., of course, is a different story. If that's what you're referring to, then it would indeed be easier. I would agree that an M.S.W. and a doctoral degree are not exactly comparable, but as much research has shown, there are not consistent differences in consumer's reports of therapy satisfaction based on provider's type of degree. Years of experience and intangible "alliance" variables tend to predict higher satisfaction. If you want to be a clinician, you have options. Sadly for me I've been bitten by the research bug, so I'm (hopefully!) heading back to school for another 5-6 years🙂 Good luck to you!
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A Psy.D. from a university based program would be adequate to participate in research, but if you know you want research to be a significant part of your career, pursue a Ph.D. i'm at an R1 university (with a Psy.D.) so it is possible, but i'm in the vast minority.
