Posted by gardenergirl on July 4, 2005, at 0:55:11
In reply to GG what degree do you have??, posted by B2chica on July 2, 2005, at 16:37:09
> was wondering. i know that you are in the field of psychology (therapist). but i can't remember if you are still in school or if you are practicing.
I'm still in school, although I finished my classes, and I'm just working on research now and getting more clinical training.
>
> what type of degree do you have?? (MS, phd or other?)I have a master's now. I am working towards my doctorate, which I hope to complete by this time next year (cross your fingers!). There are three types (at least) of doctorates that psychologists can hold: PhD, which is a doctor of philosophy and fairly traditional; PsyD, which is doctor of psychology and is newer than PhD and more clinically focused; and EdD, doctor of education (?). I really don't know anything about this one 'cept that's what my T is.
> just curious. i've really been thinking of a change in career and of course i'm interested in psychology with a specific population. i would love to continue research in that area but i know you need a phd to do that and i can't afford to go to school full time.
A person could also work as a research assistant without necessarily needing a doctorate. But these jobs usually go to grad students.
> i'm interested in the diagnostic and assessment work with adults, possibly in VA or rehab facility. my T told me that's the area of neuropsychology.
Depends on the type of work you want to do. If you want to test for cognitive problems, neuropsych is definitely the specialty. If you want to do more generalized diagnosis, i.e. PTSD, depression, etc., you can be a clinical psychologist not necessarily a neuropsychologist. Neuropsychology programs are usually quite rigorous and competitive. You can also get a clinical psych. degree (either PhD or PsyD) and then do specialized training in an internship and/or post doc fellowship in neuropsych.
>but i don't know if 1)if this is a phase cuz of what i'm going through or 2)if i could do it with a family? or 3)if i'm even smart enough.
Everyone has these questions going into it. One way to figure out some answers is to go back to school part time and take a class or two that interests you. It may be hard to take a class that's part of a specific program without being admitted to the program, but it gets you back into the swing to see how it feels. You could also try taking the GRE and see how it goes, but it's not the be-all and end-all of success in grad school.
I'm sorry that others did not listen to you seriously and accused you of being manic. That's not fair at all.
>> was it a struggle with all you are going through on a personal level?
Oh my yes. It is still a struggle. This has been the most challenging thing I have ever done. It's taken a toll on my marriage, too. And on our savings account, because my school does not fund the students automatically like many larger research-based schools do. But my poor husband has been very supportive and understanding, but after this long, it gets a bit wearing. He is definitely more than ready for me to be done.
I think it's a very good idea to talk to others who have been through or who are in it now. I didn't really know what I was getting into before I started. Although maybe that was best. :-D
Whatever you decide, make sure it's right for you. Also, my supervisor is always quoting a study (probably his own...) that says that the most successful folks in psych programs are the ones with very strong social support...family, friends, spouses or SO's. I do know of one or two single parents who have been successful. But I really don't know how the folks with kids do it. They do need a lot of support.
Hope this helps.
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:522618
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050628/msgs/523196.html