Therapist? Psychologist?

[jengh]

I've been on this site for a while. Since September, I believe. Since joining, I have gotten so much out of giving people my advice and insight.

 

In fact, it has made me consider going into psychology, like both of my parents, and becoming a therapist or psychologist.

 

What do you guys think? I think I have good insight and as unbiased as possible....

 

I think it would be a very rewarding career.

[renaissancewoman101]

Do you like to help people, just in general? Like to listen to people and take the time to give them advice?

 

If you are interested in studying to be a psychologist, you know most of them do have a masters degree, dont you? So it will require graduate studies.

 

Have you looked into what courses you would need to get a masters in psychology?

[emma34]

Actually it's a PhD to become a psychologist...you could also look at becoming a counsellor or something.

 

Either way you know better than us what your good at - so if you think you'd enjoy it, go for it!

 

I wanted to be a therapist, but didn't wanna go to school for that long, so i'm becoming an occupational therapist...also involving mental health.

 

There are lots of mental health professions! A good site is link removed - it describes occupations. It's a Canadian site, but either way, it gives good info.

[jengh]

I do love helping people. I think I'm good at it. Yes, I realize there is a lot of schooling, but I'd always wanted to be a plastic surgeon (until i gave up on the chemistry part!!!) so i've planned on a lifetime of school anyways

[TiredMan]

PHD needed to be a psychologist. Masters to be a LCSW (social worker) which is the same thing, you just don't have the PHD which some people might look for.

[lonely_me]

As long as you are willing to put the time and effort in, go for it. Do research from the beginning, try to write an undergraduate thesis and graduate with honors in your major, if possible. Go for a BS in psychology instead of a BA, even though it means taking slightly harder classes. Doing those things make it easier to apply directly to a PhD program (you'll get a non-terminal masters). You'll save a lot of time compared to getting the masters and then the PhD. Plus, you'll get clients sooner that way (usually after your first year of graduate school).

[jengh]

wow, thanks lonely... you really seem to know what you're talking about

 

i have a friend going into occupational therapy and that sounds rewarding too

[lonely_me]

Yeah, my husband is pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology right now. While all of his classmates were slacking off, he worked really hard. Earning a psychology degree can be as easy or as challenging as you make it, and he chose to make it as difficult as he could. It's paid of, however, because he was accepted in to the same PhD program as students who had already gotten masters degrees at other schools. He'll graduate when they do in spite of the fact that he'll have been in school for 2 - 3 years less than they were.

[jengh]

oh wow, good for him. I think that may be what my dad did... though he had a job for a year or two so the company would pay for his program...

[lonely_me]

Goodluck with it! As far as finding people to pay for the program, when you do get to graduate school, try to find a school that funds its students. My husband is a research assistant, so most of his tuition is paid for by a research grant. It doesn't pay for everything, but he also gets a stipend that helps out so the school related expenses that fall on us are not nearly as bad as they could be.