<p>I am currently a freshman psych major at UCSD, and would like to have a career in counseling others. Simple enough, right? I was a peer counselor in high school and helped many a student with literally any problem you can imagine. I think I'd like to help patients with mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schitzophrenia, or those who are harming themselves, or drug/alcohol abuse... ok, so I haven't REALLY decided yet. All I know is that I want to be able to counsel others, one-on-one.</p>
<p>Do I need to get the Ph.D/Psy.D in order to have a career of this nature? I know I'd have to get a master's, a bachelor's just won't cut it (unless you're happy with being a school counselor, and THAT is not for me). I guess I just can't envision myself in postdoctorate school for 4-6 years. And even if I could, I'll admit it, I'm not the brightest student and I'm certainly a tad bit lazy. As of right now I have a 3.425 GPA, which isn't bad, but isn't terrific, either. Who knows if I can maintain that throughout my college career?</p>
<p>I don't know, maybe I shouldn't even be stressing out about this right now... should just concentrate on general eds...</p>
<p>It sounds like you've narrowed down to treating patients, rather than research. A PsyD is more appropriate than a PhD for clinical work (IMO). PsyD programs tend to be shorter because there is less emphasis on research, and you may get more experience with patient care through internships.</p>
<p>A MSW is another option that would allow you to work directly with patients. You would need to go through the motions to become licensed and perform psychotherapy independently. The MSW takes two years to complete. Your pay would be lower and you wouldn't get to do some gee-whiz "real doctor" things, but the MSW would let you be a therapist or counselor as you've described.</p>
<p>Yes, from what I've read it seems that the PsyD is geared more toward the actual counseling vs. the research... and I definitely want to work with people vs. lab work. As it is, I'm working toward my BA vs. BS, so I've already opted for the "easier", less-research-less-lab-work approach.</p>
<p>What is an MSW? I'd like to practice in Southern California, it's where I've lived all my life and would like to live for the remainder of it.</p>
<p>MSW stands for Master's of Social Work. I think it's a fairly common way to get into psychotherapy, but I'm not in the field. Once you get your MSW, there is some process whereby you become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): I think you have to log a certain number of supervised hours, take extra coursework (if you didn't take the right optional courses through your MSW program), and pass an exam. The LCSW will let you perform psychotherapy on your own and allow you to bill insurance companies - basically, you can set up your own practice if you become an LCSW after earning an MSW.</p>
<p>To my knowledge all of this applies to California. Do you have an adviser at UCSD? I would ask him/her about your degree options, as well as how you could get some clinical or research experience while still an undergrad. (Helps a lot when applying for grad programs of all kinds.) Maybe he or she knows someplace you could volunteer or someone you could work for.</p>
<p>I'm applying to MSW programs in CA, and everything snowcapk says is the case for the state. Like the OP, I want to perform psychotherapy but can't see myself spending 4-6 years in school obtaining a doctorate. I'll be concentrating in mental health to obtain the most relevant experience. You're in luck regrading MSW programs in socal - USC and UCLA both have excellent programs, and there are several good accredited CSU programs as ell. I don't know if there are any PsyD programs in Southern Cal.</p>
<p>The primary thing you can do with a PsyD that you can't do with an MSW is testing / assessment, so get a PsyD if that interests you.</p>
<p>Another option is to get your masters in counseling and become a licensed MFT. The disadvantage to the MFT is that (at least in many states) you're required to be supervised by a PhD / PsyD at all times, and there is a much broader spectrum of jobs one can do with the MSW.</p>
<p>Where I m in N.Cal MFT's ( used to be something else...MFCC? ) seem to practice independently and get reimbursed on manageded care panels. Not so for MSW's; only LCSWs if I'm not mistaken.</p>
<p>That's correct - you do have to get your LCSW after you get your MSW to be an independent therapist (I meant to say that, but it looks like I didn't clearly state that in my post). The supervised hours / coursework for an LCSW usually takes about 2 years after the MSW.</p>
<p>You guys are all close...in California you can either be an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) or an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist-previously known as an MFCC, Marriage, Family and Child Counselor). For both tracks you will need to complete 3000 hours of face to face counseling, assessment, etc. after obtaining a Masters (either Masters of Social Work or Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy) and then take 2 exams given by the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences) of CA all of which can take about 4 yrs after graduation to complete (with getting hours and studying for exams). With both an LCSW and the LMFT you can have a private practice (reimbursed by full fee pay clients or insurance) and...no...LMFTs do not need to be supervised by a PhD or PsyD at all times (that is incorrect). True...LCSWs do have a bit broader hiring range (hospitals, schools) due to some of the classwork that is different within the masters programs but generally the work is exactly the same. I am an LMFT in CA and stumbled upon this site researching PsD programs...which I am considering doing after 3 years of being licensed and looking to advance my skills clinically and (honestly) make more $.</p>