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what are the steps needed to take to become a clinical psychologist?

I'm currently a junior in high school and taking all honors and AP classes. I want to become a clinical psychologist because not only do i want to help people, but i enjoy trying to basically get into peoples heads, figure out what theyre thinking why they do what they do, and offering advice and coming up with solutions to problems, the whole subject of psychology and the human mind just fascinates me.

I know i have to start figuring out what college i want to go to soon, but im so confused on where to start and what to look for. once i find one, what do i need to do to reach my goal of becoming a clinical psychologist? Im aware of how long and how much effort goes in to obtaining a phd, but i feel im motivated and positive i want it.

4 Answers

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  • jdphd
    Lv 5
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    After completing a 4-year undergraduate college degree, you will need to apply to, and be admitted to, either a PhD or PsyD program in clinical psychology or counseling psychology if you'd like to work as a licensed clinical psychologist, which is a type of therapist.

    Both the PhD program and the PsyD program take about 4-7 years to complete, require a lengthy dissertation, and at least one supervised, clinical internship. After obtaining your doctoral degree in psychology, you will then have to sit for, and pass, a state licensing exam to obtain your license to work with patients.

    If you'd like to be a therapist but aren't sure if you want to go to college and then go to graduate school for another 4-7 years, you could also obtain a degree in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy. These are Master's degrees and often take 2 years to complete, after college. They also require a supervised clinical internship and, again, it is necessary to take -- and pass -- a state licensing exam before being able to see clients.

    The salary for psychologists and other therapists varies a lot depending on what type of degree they have and the part of the country in which they are practicing.

    In general, a psychologist often earns $110-$150 per each 50-minute session, while a therapist with a social work degree, counseling degree, or a degree in marriage and family therapy may earn $50-$130 per 50-minute session.

    Source(s): I have a graduate degree in psychology. http://recoveredlives.com/treatment/types-of-thera...
  • Jeff
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    Getting a doctorate isn't necessary for clinical psychology. If you complete an undergrad degree in psychology, you only need certain training programs (a graduate degree, which takes 2-3 years).

    However, a Ph.D of Psy. D is an option. They take about 5 years to obtain after 4 years of undergrad.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    that's a lengthy haul. A medical psychologist desires a license from the state in which one needs to coach. This calls for a PhD (next to bachelor's) from a college acredited by the yankee psychological affiliation. This calls for 4-5 years finished time study, and a dissertation. Then, you should finish an internship (in many cases unpaid) for one 3 hundred and sixty 5 days, and sit for the exam. in case you pass the exam, the state topics you a license. in case you opt for to be a therapist, that's a lot a lot less difficult. criteria decision in a number of states, yet in many cases you opt for a Masters of Social artwork and an actual type of hours of operating supervised by a qualified therapist.

  • 9 years ago

    4-5 years undergrad, 4-7 years earning Doctorate.

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