Psychology Career Info
TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGY CAREER PATHS + DEGREES
Doctorate Degrees
Psychology Professor / Researcher: Education + Research - PhD
Psychologist: PsyD + Licensure
Master’s Degrees
Therapist: MS / MA + Licensure
Doctorate therapy degree: DMFT, etc.
Social Worker: MS / MA + Licensure
Doctorate SW degrees: DSW
Master’s Level Counselor: MS / MA + Licensure
Bachelor’s Degrees
Behavioral Counselor: BS / BA or no degree required (training or certification)
Medical / Nursing Degree:
Psychiatrist: Medical Degree / med school
Psychiatric NP / Psychiatric PA: NP / PA school
Associate psychology degrees also available: AS / AA
No Degree:
Coaching: no degree required, certification programs are available, anyone can call themselves a coach with no training
Peer Support Counselor: have experience with mental health issues or family member experiencing mental health issues
Behavioral Health Specialist
Case Managers
Etc.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
To become a practicing therapist, you must complete at least a Master’s Degree and complete 3000 supervised hours, which usually is completed 3-5 years after graduating Master’s program.
You can work within the psychology field without a degree as a:
Behavioral health specialist
Behavioral Counselor
Peer Support Counselor
Etc.
Therapists do not prescribe medications. Only medical degree’d professionals do: Psychiatrists, Psych NP’s, Psych PA’s
There are different licensing requirements for each State. You must complete specific licensure requirements in the State that you wish to practice.
PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE FOCUSES
Clinical Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Developmental Psychology
School Psychology
Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Etc.
PSYCHOLOGY SALARY
Psy.D / Ph.D – Psychologist pay: https://www.zippia.com/salaries/psychologist/
MS / MA – Therapist pay: https://www.zippia.com/salaries/psychotherapist/
BS / BA – Counselor pay: https://www.zippia.com/salaries/counselor/
Highly depends on city and state
Can make more:
in private practice
higher degree
diversifying skills for additional income streams
higher level supervisory positions
THE PATH TO LICENSURE
HS Degree / GED
Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
Master’s Degree (2 years)
If Psy.D License = Doctorate Degree
Complete 3000 Supervised Clinical Hours (typically 3-5 years)
Background Check
Pass both Board Exams:
Law and Ethics
Clinical Exam
HOW TO FIND A THERAPIST
Outline the type of therapist that would be helpful for you:
Specialties
Mental Health Issues (anxiety, depression, ptsd, etc.)
Populations (AAPI, BIPOC, Neurodivergent, etc.)
Personality
Do you feel comfortable with them?
Do you vibe with them?
Cultural Background
Ethnicity
Gender
Religion
Therapy Approach
Trauma lens
Person Centered
Liberation centered
Etc.
Consider how you are going to pay for therapy:
Insurance?
You can ask your insurance for referrals based on your needs.
Self-Pay
Low-Fee
You can ask if a therapist provides a Superbill for you to submit receipts to your insurance to see if they will help cover some of the costs.
Shop Around:
Find 3 - 5 or more therapists that you resonate with
Schedule free consultations or email them questions
When you find the right one, schedule your first appointment.
Reassure yourself that therapy is a scary process, and it’s normal to feel anxious about getting started. I’m so proud of you for taking the next step in your healing and growth!
If you don’t like your therapist, it’s completely acceptable to end therapy with them and find a better fit. This is normal and totally okay!
THERAPIST LISTING WEBSITES
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Asian Mental Health Collective: https://www.asianmhc.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
Local support groups and educational groups
Suicide Hotline: Call 988 – https://988lifeline.org/
If in mental health crisis and/or experiencing suicidality / homicidality / self harm
Warm Lines: Need someone to talk to in emotional distress
DV Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/
Support for domestic violence