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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I think you need to talk to me.

I'm a PsyD working in DC after changing careers from law to psychology in my 40's. I love what I do and have no regrets whatsoever. Let me give you some things to consider before you decide if this is for you.

How do you feel about five more years of school? This on average is how long it will take you to complete most PsyD programs. I believe GW can be done in 4 years including internship, however I think there's some summer classes involved with that. I took six years start to finish, including internship and dissertation (I attended another PsyD program in a different state and moved to DC after I graduated).

Can you handle this financially? Most PsyD programs aren't funded the way PhD programs often are. You'll need enough money to get you through at least the first couple of years until you can work part-time. Also, with kids you may find it hard to juggle much paid work and pursuing your doctorate. Do you have a spouse who can be available to help out with family responsibilities? I did and that was crucial to making it work for us. Without a very flexible partner I'd say only do this if you can afford to hire childcare help. You'll need it.

Since you're geographically limited to the DC area, are you okay with applying to available programs and having a backup plan if you don't get in? You may wish to also consider an MSW or MA in counseling as an alternate route to being a therapist, if this is what you're interested in. It's a more flexible, shorter and cheaper path, although I really felt the PsyD was a better degree for me.

Check out as many websites as you can to learn more about PsyD programs and career paths for psychologists. There are many good ones. Check out the APA website for example. Pay attention to PsyD programs' statistics on internship placement. The gold standard is a high match rate of students in full time APA accredited internships. Also look at the school's EPPP passage rates. Most of this information can be found on the program's website.

To answer your question about age, I'd say you're certainly not too old for the career change. Having a JD will be an asset in that you can already think and write well. You will have valuable life experience that will enhance your training as a psychologist. Just make sure you can handle the financial and time logistics for you and your family. Also be sure that you want to be a clinical psychologist, and realize most of us in the field don't make as much as lawyers do. I'm fine with that but I do miss the money I earned as a lawyer occasionally. I personally love what I do and find the work interesting and very fulfilling. I do okay financially.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck![/quote]

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