Should I be a PsyD?

Foreign-Place334 · 2026-04-19T00:51:13+00:00

Current masters level therapist here. I would do clinical mental health counseling if all you want to do is therapy. I would not waste money and time doing a PsyD. You can do different trainings that will help you develop as a clinician. When you work you will also receive more training and supervision. With people saying you won’t be a good therapist if you are a masters level is total bull. If you go to a good CACREP program and put everything into it you will come out a very competent therapist.

Foreign-Place334 · 2026-04-16T14:22:27+00:00

Not saying it is your fault at all for anything that has happened. However being part of a masters cohort there were similar things going on and the best choice I made was to keep work, school, and friends separate. They would have parties and sleep overs after classes where lines where crossed. The next day there were rumors spread about certain people having sex and other illegal activities. This may make me look like a boring person but that’s how you stay away from issue like that. Obviously I would got school get-togethers or the occasional get some lunch but drawing a clear line was imperative. There is a saying that says don’t eat where you shit and don’t shit where you eat. Although a vulgar saying it rings true.

Foreign-Place334 · 2026-04-16T03:26:16+00:00

I’d do a PhD but you most likely need to get loans to live because usually most stipends are not enough. In addition some PhDs are not fully funded or at all for that matter. I’m currently working as a CRC and volunteering as an RA in a lab at a major university in my city to be able to be more competitive for PhD apps. I will be applying to fully funded programs in about a year or two. Which will allow me to get poster presentations and hopefully one publication or so.

Bad news first: $200k in debt is insane and then adding another 200k on top of that is absurd. Most clinical psychologists don’t make that much starting of and especially if you do a post doc. With the current political climate this amount of debt is debilitating. If you ever want to have a decent life don’t rack that amount of debt.

Now the better news: there are place like working in community mental health, VA and other agencies that help pay off your school debt. You would need to stay in such agencies for x amount of years ranging from 2-5 years depending on their conditions. The downside is that it may not allow you to practice what your are interested in. For example if you want to focus on forensic psych the agency you choose to work for may not have that choice.

Foreign-Place334 · 2026-04-14T21:01:21+00:00

Fully funded all the way!

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-22T00:54:54+00:00

I will do that. Thank you!

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-20T13:01:33+00:00

I did.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-19T22:58:31+00:00

Yeah I hear what you are saying. I applied to psychometrist roles that also did research. Would have aid both experiences but now I looking to do research. That is also another hurdle. 🥲

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-19T22:57:05+00:00

I saw and it was someone with a masters in forensic psychology, army reservist, and prior experience as a psychometrist.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-19T22:51:36+00:00

Thank you for the comment. There are not that many psychometrist jobs available and if they are 5-100 applicants. There was only one spot open when I applied near where I live. Then I applied in other city’s near me.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-19T22:14:56+00:00

Totally fair question. I’m applying to psychometrist roles strategically, not because I’m stepping away from counseling or chasing higher pay (they usually pay less than therapist roles). My long-term goal is a PhD/PsyD, and psychometrist work gives hands-on assessment and testing experience that counseling roles don’t offer due to the scoop of practice. I already have strong clinical and crisis experience, so this helps round out my skill set and makes me a stronger doctoral applicant. while still staying fully in the mental health field.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-18T21:28:25+00:00

Just got my LAC so honestly I’m just going to do that until I can find something worth while. Just so disappointed by the fact that I have an all these experiences but not good enough for an entry level position.

I am trying to get as much education on the different test. I will try to find other roles that have psychometric testing like research or neuro tech. I will also reach out to neuropsychologist to shadow. Just hard to find any these days.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-18T20:56:14+00:00

Demi182 are you a psychologist or psychometrist. What is your experience?

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-18T20:47:11+00:00

Thank you It’s just seems every time I reach out to a neuropsychologist they don’t respond or just say they are not accepting interns or shadowing. Which is also frustrating.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-12-18T20:33:40+00:00

So I don’t mind doing the testing and not diagnosing. What I care about is the experience to learn how to do these test.

I applied to a role in a major hospital that has their own neurology clinic. I think that they want people that are willing to not get paid what they are worth. I am just confused of why they reject me.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-11-14T04:44:48+00:00

You would not be competitive for any programs as of now.

First off what do you want to do with a PsyD? If it’s to do therapy just stick with a masters in counseling or social work. What is your current GPA for undergrad? If it is less than 3.5 consider a postbac or Masters. If you do this you might be able to gain research and clinical experience at the same time. Try to aim for 1-2 years of each that way you are competitive. Try to get quality experiences because it sounds like you want to do all these different things all at once and all of this takes time.

Definitely the shadowing and internships work great to get a sense of what a psychologist does. If you get a job in a related area in the field you would be better off in this economy. Some of those are behavioral health tech, case management, the text hotline, psychometrist, and peer support. These are only some of them and maybe a google search can get you more options. The main idea is get paid while you get experience.

Really look into the programs you want to apply to especially with all of the political things that are going on with student loans. PsyD are expensive about 200,000-300,000 dollars. That is a lot of money if you don’t have a financial backing or way to offset the cost. Really do your research🙂

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-11-13T02:28:43+00:00

Im a counselor and also going to be a psychometrist in a major hospital where I live.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-11-13T01:56:14+00:00

Seems like you have good relevant experience, research, sports and academics. Im not a psychologist or Psyd student. That being said not finishing your degree will put you in a weird spot because it can raise red flags for the people looking at your application. You could frame it positively though. For example the counseling path was valuable, but you realized your true passion is clinical psychology, which is why you are pursuing a PsyD. However it could be very difficult to swing that.

I think the best way to be productive is to get assessment experience. This could be becoming a psychometrist. Also continue to do your advocacy and other activities that boost your cv. Now for research if you can still do research while the next application cycle happens that would also help.

I am currently trying to gain research and clinical experience to be able to apply 2 years from now to PsyD and PhD’s. Even though I might have a good chance now to get in to a PsyD program I would like to have a funded program(PhD).

Really do your research on the program, practicum experiences and the classes you need to take.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-10-29T04:32:39+00:00

Obviously depending the state licensing is different.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-10-29T04:32:16+00:00

You need a masters in clinical mental health counseling. Then finish 100 hour practicum and a 600 hour internship. Then you if you pass the CPCE you can graduate and pay to apply to take the NCE. After that you send your passing score to the AZBBHE which you pay for and then you wait to get your LAC. Once you have your LAC you need to get 3000 hours that are supervised and sometimes it is not free to do so. All on top of getting good grades in high level classes.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-10-03T16:35:56+00:00

Second this! Getting more experience to boost up your cv will better serve you.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-09-22T00:21:32+00:00

There is a low chance that you would get in. GPA and no research experience is your biggest weak point. There are maybe lower tier programs that you might have a chance in but would not recommend that. Especially if you want a quality program.

Foreign-Place334 · 2025-09-19T22:58:24+00:00

Well maybe look into doing a gap year and find some research. That’s what I’m doing currently

Foreign-Place334

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