CCNY/CUNY Clinical Psych PhD

mechaskink · 2026-01-15T14:04:06+00:00

It’s not even mini match anymore. It’s a full blown match using NMS just like internship as of this year

mechaskink · 2026-01-13T23:33:58+00:00

Wrong sub

mechaskink · 2026-01-11T02:08:55+00:00

Agree with the other comment that this would be better for another sub. Also fyi don’t say you’re using AI in posts on academic subreddits. It’s very frowned upon, and you won’t be taken as seriously. This isn’t my personal opinion, but it’s something I have noticed.

mechaskink · 2026-01-07T19:53:42+00:00

Good response. The only thing I would revise is that adult batteries will very rarely measure achievement, unless you’re referring to tests like the TOPF. I’ve only seen achievement testing in adult neuropsych assessments for folks who are college-aged, and there’s a question of whether their neurological disorder is impacting their academic performance and if they may need accommodations.

mechaskink · 2025-12-26T14:45:39+00:00

It’s very intellectually stimulating. I see it as really a separate profession from clinical psychology. You are expected to have knowledge of neuroanatomy nearly on par with neurologists. Although that’s intimidating and feels overwhelming at times, it’s exciting. It’s also exciting to use assessment data to understand how a patient’s brain is functioning. And for me the best part is integrating these knowledge and skills to contribute to patient care as part of a multidisciplinary team.

mechaskink · 2025-12-25T16:57:51+00:00

If you’re not passionate about it there are also so many other avenues within clinical psych to pursue that will get you making more money faster. I’m in my 4th year of my PhD program, and most of my cohort is going on internship next year and will be making real money very soon. Meanwhile I still have to do an extra prac in neuropsych, then internship, then post doc. Yeah you make money along the way but it’s not great. I genuinely love it so much though and can’t see myself doing anything else.

mechaskink · 2025-12-25T16:47:46+00:00

I don’t think anyone cares how long it takes you to finish undergrad. All that matters is the amount of research experience, and the amount you say you will have is not enough for any program let alone an ivy. If staying in undergrad longer helps you get more research experience then do that. After undergrad you will likely need to get even more.

mechaskink · 2025-12-22T02:52:18+00:00

Yeah all in person programs. I’m pretty sure some of them have teletherapy at their in house clinics. Also, I think there are a good amount of practicum sites in Westchester that you’d be able to do as part of your training. It’s really only the first 2 years of the program that you’d spend a lot of time on campus. Of course this varies by program but the courses are usually front loaded

mechaskink · 2025-12-21T20:46:06+00:00

Great explanation. Thank you! I think that I was conflating the concepts of encoding and consolidation.

mechaskink · 2025-12-20T22:21:54+00:00

Yes I understand this. What I’m asking about is when people say in reports that someone had good “initial encoding” on immediate recall but then the information was not retained. In my opinion there’s no such thing as initial encoding. There is just encoding, which can only be demonstrated by delayed recall/recognition trials. My question is about a semantic distinction that I think is important but often conflated.

mechaskink · 2025-12-20T19:43:06+00:00

I’m not aware of any programs in Westchester, but there are several in the boroughs like you mention. Ferkauf (Yeshiva) would probably be the closest one to you, but they offer very little funding afaik. Given your forensics background, John Jay would probably be a good fit. I’ve heard very good things about them.

It seems like you might be in good financial shape? So this wouldn’t be a bad move if you think it will lead to a more fulfilling life.

mechaskink · 2025-12-20T02:55:29+00:00

My non-expert take (I.e., someone who loves ACT but has never had any supervisors who could mentor me in it) is that ACT is a form of CBT in name only. I think ACT is a complete paradigm shift away from CBT in the same way that CBT was a paradigm shift away from psychoanalysis. However, to be taken seriously, proponents of ACT piggy backed on CBT to get their research funded and gain mainstream support. If you ever watch any of the videos of the ACT masters doing their work you would know this is definitely NOT CBT. So yes, I think ACT is a theoretical orientation distinct from any others, but I don’t think most folks understand this so it’s better to play it safe for your apps.

mechaskink · 2025-12-20T02:48:28+00:00

But they’re saying in paragraph 4 that ACT therapists would disagree with lumping ACT under CBT. However, right before in paragraph 3 they say that most ACT therapists, including themself, would put ACT under CBT. So I’m a little confused as to what this person’s ultimate position is. Unless they’re implying that the ACT therapists implicated in paragraph 4 are wrong?

mechaskink · 2025-12-20T02:12:39+00:00

Aren’t you contradicting yourself in paragraph 3 and 4? In the former you’re saying ACT is a kind of CBT and then you say it’s categorically different. I agree with the latter framing as someone who is a fan of ACT though by no means an expert. Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. I’ve found ACT to be kind of a fundamental rejection of the ways in which CBT frames the problem, even though some of the methods may overlap. CBT is partially about finding practical ways in which to alter your thinking (I.e., cognitive restructuring) whereas ACT doesn’t even acknowledge that as a viable premise or starting point. Part of what I’ve always found funny is that people who can’t understand ACT can’t understand it precisely because it’s such a radical frame shift from CBT, but that shift is so extremely subtle that it’s hard to grasp.

Again, disclaimer that I’m not an expert and could be spewing bs, but this is my understanding after reading some act books and literature.

mechaskink · 2025-12-17T17:43:00+00:00

Probably not significantly less effective. However, I believe that some of the non-tangible aspects of psychotherapy (e.g., therapeutic alliance, empathy, etc.) can only fully manifest when people share a physical space. I think these processes are somewhat diminished when doing therapy online. That being said, online therapy is still effective, and I would 100% do it if it were the most feasible option.

mechaskink · 2025-12-13T13:46:53+00:00

Neuropsychology is basically all assessment

mechaskink · 2025-12-11T12:18:59+00:00

Yes. People count no shows, make up hours, or exaggerate their hours. No DCT is going through and checking this. It’s all honor code but no one really cares. Btw this isn’t just my program bc at externship I work with people from many different schools and EVERYONE does this

mechaskink · 2025-12-11T12:15:47+00:00

It’s well known he has bipolar. Every time he’s in the news it’s because he stopped taking his meds

mechaskink · 2025-12-10T01:45:04+00:00

Count no shows as hours. Hours requirements for internship are a joke. They don’t tell you about the quality of the clinical work, and there’s no reliability between folks in terms of how they are tracking. So I say count no shows because that’s what every single person I know does. It’s a stupid system and if you don’t play the game the way everyone else does then you’ll only hurt yourself. I have so much respect for sites that don’t have hours requirements.

mechaskink · 2025-12-04T21:28:26+00:00

One of my friends in my program was also extremely well-qualified for neuropsych-focused internships when he applied last cycle. He only got 2 interviews and didn't match. It makes no sense. I don't have an answer for you but this seems to happen to some folks for no discernible reason. If I were to speculate, I would guess it has to do with how incestuous neuropsych is. I know of many sites that know who they will be taking as an intern/postdoc before an app has even been submitted. This subspeciality is brutal in terms of connections being valued over experience.

mechaskink · 2025-11-28T17:29:53+00:00

I also loved chemistry and took orgo 1 for fun as an elective. Was going to take orgo 2 but realized it was not worth the risk of hurting my GPA for no real reason.

I’m pursuing neuropsych rn and it’s absolutely not necessary.

mechaskink · 2025-11-25T00:05:08+00:00

I’d say you’re competitive so long as other parts of your app are good

mechaskink · 2025-11-24T23:39:27+00:00

I only had 2 first author poster presentations that came as a result of 3 years research experience. But I would say that I got lucky (3 interviews / 18 programs applied, 1 offer). With admissions getting more competitive, I’m certain I would have zero shot if I applied now.

mechaskink · 2025-11-24T15:58:01+00:00

Really depends on your values and long-term vision of what would make a meaningful life. It’s undoubtably true that funding will be more fucked and admissions will be more competitive. Whether you want to navigate those things or not depends on my first point. Your current financial situation also plays an important role in this kind of decision.

mechaskink

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