I think I'd like a new career in psychotherapy - where to start?
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Anonymous
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I'm in my mid-thirties and have a liberal arts BA and a successful career in a totally unrelated field. Being a psychologist was always my first dream, which was derailed a long time ago, but I've come full circle and am seriously considering getting my masters degree and licensing to enable me to be a clinical psychologist/social worker/psychotherapist.
I'm in my VERY FIRST stage of research, so you can't insult me with the most basic type of advice/info. A little bit on relevant background is that I'm married, have young children and will intend to work full time while pursuing a degree, so I'll need to find a program that is part-time/local/flexible. Also, I'm a Virginia resident, so VA in-state tuition is desirable (but not necessarily a requirement.) What do I need to know about which degree to pursue? What schools/programs should I explore? Thanks!!! |
Anonymous
| If you want to do social work, VCU has an extension program somewhere in NOVA. It's supposed to be a pretty good program. In my opinion it's not worth it to pay out-of-state or private tuition for an MSW. Just try to get the best internship placement you can, in a similar agency as you would like to work one day. Think of your internship as a long job interview. You will have 2-3 during your master's program. Good luck. |
Anonymous
Don't do an MSW. I grew up having a psychologist and social worker and although I got so much more real help from the SW, and the psychologist actually caused tons of damage that is STILL not all fully repaired, MSWs earn so much less. Go big, and be a shrink. Now, how does that make you feel? 
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Anonymous
| What degrees make one qualified to do psychotherapy in Virginia? |
Anonymous
PhD, PsyD - both doctorates. Check our Argosy. |
Anonymous
What if I practiced psychotherapy abroad? Can that be leveraged? |
Anonymous
| Are you crazy? If yes, proceed. If not, perhaps rethink this idea---all of the psych residents and social workers I've dealt with as an RN have been anywhere from weird to nonfunctional. Not saying that the other kind do not exist---I'm sure they're out there somewhere---I just haven't found one. |
Anonymous
| Hahaha have you met the kids of psychotherapists? Almost worse than the kids of ministers |
Anonymous
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You can also go the counseling route. I think Va Tech Falls Church campus has a Family Therapy program with night classes. Marymount has counseling programs with night classes as well.
PsyD would be the doctorate level way to go. Ph.D.s focus much more on research with the clinical and some Ph.D programs can last way too long if you have a difficult advisor or dissertation team. Keep in mind both of these degrees require an internsip where you apply all over and cannot be guaranteed you will match in the same state where you reside. You need to be able to pick up and move. Don't expect to make much money for a long time. I know you aren't in it for the money. It takes a while to get licensed. Insurance pays crap and the paperwork stinks if you save money and do your own. You can charge what you want in private practice and not take insurance, but there is competition and renting your own space isn't cheap. You also have to think about whether you want to be the type of person who only caters to the upper middle class and rich. Yes, there's more money, but could you stand yourself if you could not help people who don't have that type of financial means. Also, if you must work full time at all times once you are licsensed keep burn-out in mind. You can do all sorts of things to take care of you, but when too many of your own life stresses hit you have to evaluate whether it is fair to your clients if you don't have much left to give. It's better if you the freedom to take time off as needed and aren't the only breadwinner. If you plan to be in business for yourself, your spouse needs to have med insurance through work. It's really expensive to buy your own medical insurance. |
Anonymous
| Okay, so I'm a psychologist and psychotherapist who changed careers from law. I can answer many of your questions about the differences in training and education between master's level and doctoral level clinicians. FWIW I have a PsyD and am very happy. |
Anonymous
| Not the OP, but I have also been considering the same exact thing. I have an advanced degree already in a somewhat unrelated field (public health) and working at a women's health NGO has been really rewarding for the past 12 years, but lately I find that I really want to work with individuals to effect change, rather than at the macro level. I looked into George Mason's counseling program a while back and would love to learn more about different degree options. |
Anonymous
| I did JD to MSW. I'm very happy as a clinical social worker/therapist. I only make $40,000 a year though. |
Anonymous
| To the PP who wants to go from int'l health policy work to counseling. I recommend volunteering in a local organization before you make a switch. Women are not poor in this country due to structural inequality. It is very much about bad parents and bad personal choices. |
Anonymous
| MaryMount |
Anonymous
I am the PP to whom you referred, and your insensitive comments demonstrate precisely why I want to work with individual women to help bring about broader improvements in society. There is most definitely structural inequality in this country, just as there are "bad parents and bad personal choices," and women who experience any or all of these in their lifetime still deserve competent, compassionate guidance to navigate their lives as they see fit. A few people have suggested Marymount, I will look into that. Are there any online programs that are well-regarded? Thanks. |