Easiest States for Temporary License, EPPP Eligibility & Career Advice in Psychology...

Seeking Guidance: Easiest States for Temporary License and EPPP Eligibility & Career Advice in Psychology + Easiest European Country Accepting US PsyD

Hello everyone,

I am a 53-year-old recent Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) graduate from California Southern University, transitioning from over 15 years in IT, where I served as a Business Analyst, Project Manager, and Product Manager for Fortune 100 companies. I also hold an MBA, which has enhanced my management and strategic skills. Currently based in the San Francisco North Bay Area, I am keen on entering the field of psychology.

Although my Psy.D. program is non-APA accredited, it meets the requirements of the California Board of Psychology, which includes completing 3000 hours of Supervised Professional Experience (SPE); 1500 hours to be eligible to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and another 1500 for the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination (CPLE) to obtain licensure.

My decision to pursue an online Psy.D. was strategic, as it allowed me to continue full-time employment during significant industry layoffs. This program included additional coursework to ensure I was well-prepared to get into a Psychology program as I came from a non-traditional (i.e., without a Master's degree in Psychology) background.

Given my diverse background, which includes a decade living in Europe, fluency in multiple languages, and a wealth of transferable skills, I am now seeking:

• Temporary License: Insights on states with streamlined processes for issuing temporary psychology licenses, which would allow me to begin accumulating SPE.
• EPPP Eligibility: Advice on states that allow candidates to sit for the EPPP prior to completing all SPE requirements, particularly those open to non-residents.
• Employment Opportunities: Recommendations for job openings that would facilitate my entry into psychology, aiding in the accumulation of necessary SPE hours.
• International Practice: Information on European countries that would recognize my American Psy.D. and allow me to register and practice as a psychologist. I am particularly interested in countries where I previously lived, but open to opportunities across Europe.

I have emailed at least 1,000 licensed psychologists and mental health clinics/organizations within California and beyond but have had no luck so far.

I am also looking for mentorship and advice from experienced psychologists or anyone who has navigated a similar career transition. Any guidance, insights, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance for your support and advice!

 

PositiveSoul,

First, congratulations on your achievement. It certainly shouldn't be taken lightly. From what I have read people don't always find that online PsyD easy to complete. You obviously had perseverance.

I hope someone responds who will be more help than I am but here is my two cents.

It is hard to know what is going on with the email situation. It could be that just as on the Student Doctor Network board, there is a prejudice against the online doctor of psychology from CalSouthern and or/non APA status.

That said, there are graduates of the program who are licensed psychologists. What I would do is Google and find them either there or on LinkedIn. Then I would try calling them. Make a personal contact. It would be helpful to seek their advice as people who had become licensed as to how to do it AND you may even find someone who is willing to supervise you.

Cal southern has had some foreign students including I believe a Canadian student.

Again, these days writing a bunch of emails may not be the best approach as people will or may simply ignore them. Networking as close as you can in real (time such as in person or on the phone) maybe a better bet. If you can get someone on the phone you may even be able to arrange to meet with them to get advice and network.

 

I'm not a psychologist, but I had to move to a different metro area just to get a counseling internship. I was told by a Boomer to pound the pavement, but that was outdated advice and didn't work. These are pieces of advice I've seen from others on this forum.

1. Become a psychological assistant in California and start working under a psychologist.

2. Become an applied psychologist in Virginia. I don't know if that will put you in a better position to earn supervised counseling psychology hours, but you could practice independently in an applied field in Virginia or potentially land a job with the federal government (not the VA).

3. Go to one of the websites linked to in a recent thread. I can't remember what they were, but they're resources for finding mental health internships.

Occasionally, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has internship openings, but I don't know if they require APA accreditation.

 

Also, try contacting the faculty mentors at CalSouthern for their advice and input (and perhaps help).

https://www.calsouthern.edu/faculty-directory/

Networking is important which dovetails with what Sanantone said. Oceania School of Medicine is an online medical school that is accredited but foreign. They have successfully graduated doctors who practice in the United States. What many of those had in common was they were already in the medical field as Nurse Practitioners, PAs, and so on. Which means they had a network of acquaintances, doctors, and administrators (ie contacts) through which to get residencies.

To Sanantone's suggestion. If you can get a job around a clinical psychologist working in an organization and so on that may help. Why? Because if I am a clinical psychologist who graduated from an APA accredited program and did an APA accredited internship and I get an email from a CalSouthern PsyD that I don't know asking for hours / supervision I am quite likely to ignore it. But if I happen to know the person, have seen the quality of their work as a psychological associate, etc then I have a personal relationship with them and knowledge of them and when they approach me and say I have the qualifications and want to become a clinical psychologist... I am far more likely to engage with them. Because as I noted above I have some real time contact.

 

PS I am not a boomer but there are some wise aspects to the beat the pavement mode and they do revolve around personal contact.

I know of a therapist who has started multiple practices and mainly deals with hypnotherapy now. He of course creates a website and a Facebook page and has other advice about offices and so on but he noted one of the most effective strategies for him getting clients was in-person networking. He literally pounded the pavement going door to door to local professional offices making contacts, leaving flyers and business cards, etc. Then when those people (eg a doctor's office) knew people who needed or could benefit from therapy or clinical hypnotherapy they would refer somebody. And that would get things going.

Just doing an email blast is not likely to accomplish the same thing.

I would also suggest joining local groups (becoming active) where you would encounter psychologists, medical doctors, and so on. For instance, a group for Traumatic Brain Injury Support, Addictions, Cancer Support, volunteer at the local Psychiatric Center, or various community Psychological Services. Networking....

 

@sanantone , Thank you for your kind response.

California Board of Psychology (CBOP)'s Application for registration as a psychological associate form and Supervision Agreement for Supervised Professional Experience form requires a licensed psychologist to sign who will be supervising you as a supervisor which has been a monumental task for me.

@Chanel1 has been kind enough to suggest this and I fully adhered to this advice by submitting my application but it got rejected and got the following response:

A credential reviewer for the Board of Psychology (“Board”) evaluated your application for Applied
Psychologist by Examination. Unfortunately, it has been determined that you have not satisfied
requirements in the Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology (“Regulations”) and staff is unable
to approve your application. Specifically,​

• You did not provide evidence of meeting the education requirements in 18VAC125-20-55(B).
Specifically, you did not demonstrate competence in applied psychology by completing a
minimum of at least 18 semester hours or 30 quarter hours in a concentrated program of study
in an identified area of psychology, for example, developmental, social, cognitive, motivation,
applied behavioral analysis, industrial/organizational, human factors, personnel selection and
evaluation, program planning and evaluation, teaching, research or consultation.
​

I think you are referring to this post by @LearningAddict and I have already posted my findings here.

Thank you for this suggestion. I will look into that. I have already tried for a California Correctional Health Care Services and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CCHCS/CDCR) job and submitted my exam/application (Exam Code: 2RC54) but ended up getting only 65% (Passing score is 70%) as I answered all the questions about my lack of experience honestly.

I will never give up. I will keep on trying. Any further guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

You are in the tough stage (breaking into the field). Persevere if it is your passion and dream.

 

Try contacting these California Psychologists. The want to supervise.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=supervision-services

 

That's fine for marketing, but for a job search, it's outdated advice. By the 2010s, employers started to get annoyed with random people showing up to their offices looking for a job. They would just refer you to their website where you could apply for openings, if there were openings. Now, some people do a digital version of pound the pavement by cold contacting people on LinkedIn.

 

Did you do a practicum? If you didn't, that can also be a hindrance. I had a coworker who had difficulty with finding enough LPC and LMFT supervision hours, so she started working on the LCDC (licensed chemical dependency counselor). Honestly, she could have skipped the internship hours and sat for the licensing exam because our state allows one to do so with a graduate degree, but she opted to become an LCDC intern for some reason. Anyway, working as a substance abuse counselor allowed her to get more experience on to her resume.

 

I agree and coincidentally had suggested to Positive Soul on the messaging function to consider the addictions therapist route. There are advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages are obtaining counseling licensure and the ability to work in the clinical field and get connections. That may lead to eventual supervision for the psychology boards or the person may discover they like addictions counseling. You can eventually open a private practice and can bill insurance (as with anything in the United States - depending on the state). Who knows, Positive Soul could fall in love with the field and become a new Dr. Gabor Mate.

 

Your degree required 18 units of electives, did you not do them in a concentrated area? Even if not, you should be able to list 18 units that are of similar content to meet that requirement, it's 6 classes only, but if you just took any electives, then you may not have had a more concentrated area unfortunately.

There are multiple graduates from the university who are associates, I think one thing you should do use LinkedIn to find out where they are working and reach out to those locations. Additionally on the Facebook group that I previously mentioned, they should have a file of all the sites in California that take interns from the school, they likely hire interns as well.

But there are multiple positions hiring, I know multiple PsyD graduates who literally got job offers before their degree was conferred just in the last week. Alliant graduation is today at 5:00 p.m. and multiple of their graduates have job offers, at places that do not require APA accreditation. I don't know if it's the way you are approaching these organizations, but simply you put in a job application...

Anyway best of luck.... Getting a degree is only a part of the job, the rest is having a good resume, good communication skills, expressing yourself well and demonstrating that you can do the job in a way that benefits the organization. If you're missing those pieces, then those are things that you need to work on, because even an individual from a top school with an APA degree would have issues if they aren't able to express and apply their skills in a way that is beneficial and comes across as competent. I'm not saying that this is your issue, just seeing and reading you seem to struggle more than I've seen other graduates from a variety of schools both APA and non suggest there may be other variables at play, at least this is what I find with some students that I have taught over the years.

These are just a few I quickly found on indeed...

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=054340c9f27c4de5&from=serp&prevUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3Dpsychological%2Bassociate%26l%3DOxnard%252C%2BCA%26radius%3D100%26from%3DsearchOnSerp%26sameQ%3D1%26sameL%3D1&xpse=SoDd67I3AWFInxyCXx0LbzkdCdPP&xfps=c3caff9d-2315-4961-9414-351ae2d6108b&xkcb=SoDi67M3AWFKf237j50FbzkdCdPP

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=5a4df2ebf638c0be&from=serp&prevUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3Dpsychological%2Bassociate%26l%3DOxnard%252C%2BCA%26radius%3D100%26from%3DsearchOnSerp%26sameQ%3D1%26sameL%3D1&xpse=SoDH67I3AWFbKuXIxZ0LbzkdCdPP&xfps=9ffb0766-1890-428f-8b46-d58ad87bd757&xkcb=SoBY67M3AWFKf237j50ZbzkdCdPP

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=1bcc46bfec972537&from=serp&prevUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3Dpsychological%2Bassociate%26l%3DOxnard%252C%2BCA%26radius%3D100%26from%3DsearchOnSerp%26sameQ%3D1%26sameL%3D1&xpse=SoDo67I3AWFW1XQ4kJ0LbzkdCdPP&xfps=7adab033-326e-4131-b8ff-1840ca227a44&xkcb=SoAW67M3AWFKf237j50TbzkdCdPP

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=33a3f907165fb838&advn=5626968562084304&adid=430082101&ad=-6NYlbfkN0BFYgkWeRmGUDDKpZOkFEq7rLhnZCN_JP8SGDwBo8B0w-GhXs5gtMGagDUdpCng94aHR5LD3N-PaEzGEDpiwSlFW2Vpo_wRhqz571ZsoO0_69UtfcdKGioQPb_7OXRWx8MYHVzbrpwqHKOoJn81DUN1-Euy3fgxpvuRxOEtCSe1-_eIpS4tW4lQ9w0zvSvAh5xr17qIYxbhqzQ25ksDtCrXGLoSMnJN4n08JTahnxJtRYeVhF5kbp64Neo8qS0oHzv0EB0uKlN7-LjKar0YmIBA4pP0VnXW_SLD4uW-FImtHS7K5Xfqnhab0wTg1UOx7DG7rLOjP3mCBDPRymAxI7pF1qxFV3rqCggNn5-MUA6HoqIY_gWCwjhmJMvmYQtwqfmRyuHjAgptz_vcwpAQalyZJp9zwARVPSBaChcrB90dBDAn3RyHJaZuR1NdNq1TT6Ol-3Of4wzwFBKmLnzu_F0AnkddKhKsb5lIsyqJ9s_AINQ3HAoZ07i6YiqNNhnP1H9UjHgXPj8AO6ubCXWCrqHTisoJrOwMCPxIKFwff48JAjFdKsgyShut7j9lbfB10xY%3D&from=serp&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeed.com%2Fjob%2Fpsychology-associate-33a3f907165fb838&desth=b2d92076377ace77b286c7d950b1a3a4&prevUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeed.com%2Fm%2Fjobs%3Fq%3Dpsychological%2Bassociate%26l%3DOxnard%252C%2BCA%26radius%3D100%26from%3DsearchOnSerp%26sameQ%3D1%26sameL%3D1&tk=1hum6hcvf2nll03v&dupclk=1&acatk=1hum6q2lli5fv801&pub=6917c08ec3ecf6012dd26f3773156e870cace3277f6b99df&camk=nUmJqO2E8riTffqptt4gfg%3D%3D&xkcb=SoBL6_M3AWFKf237j50LbzkdCdPP&xpse=SoD26_I3AWFnjvwfRR0IbzkdCdPP&xfps=55c95ca5-b8e7-4454-ab1f-d39dae86dfe2

 

I was also wondering how many applications the OP put in. I would just look for all the internship and psychological associate openings that don't require APA accreditation and start applying. Sending 1,000 emails is the electronic version of pounding the pavement.

 

I worked someplace where coming in the door wasn't necessarily going to help you because all of the applications are managed online and through hiring specialists. That said, as I mentioned before, this is where networking and volunteering comes in. There were people who were volunteers and got to know the staff, the supervisors, and the executives. So when a position came open and they put in an application through the electronic system they would at least get an interview and often got the job.

Again, a psychologist with an APA accredited doctorate and an APA internship is not necessarily going to be impressed with the California Southern University doctor of psychology. If you get to know him or her through interaction as say a volunteer or in some other capacity and have made a positive impression that may make a difference.

 

I know but I will never give up. Thank you for your kind words.

 

This is one of the sources I used to collect the contact information of psychologists to email them directly.

 

@sanantone and @Garp, Thank you for your kind words and precious support. I emailed the Texas Health and Human Services Department asking them to verify

1. Whether my Psy.D. degree meets the educational requirements for the LCDC license.
2. If the 300 practicum hours and the 4000 supervised hours requirement will be waived given my advanced degree.

Let's see what they say. Thank you.

 

Obstacles and Biases Faced in Transitioning to a Career in Psychology

Based on my experiences and the feedback I've encountered, here are the main obstacles to securing a job in psychology, with detailed examples of bias against online, non-APA accredited programs from the Student Doctor Network (SDN) forums:

1. Age: At 53 years old, there may be biases or misconceptions about my ability to adapt to new roles or integrate into established teams that predominantly consist of younger professionals.
   
   
2. California Southern University is Not Part of Internship Programs Like CAPIC: This limits my opportunities for structured professional training and development.
   
   
3. Lack of Direct Psychology Experience: Having no prior experience in psychology places me at a disadvantage compared to candidates who have direct clinical or psychological research experience.
   
   
4. Career Transition from IT: Transitioning from a long career in IT to psychology is a significant shift. Employers might be skeptical about my commitment to the new field or my understanding of psychological practices without direct experience.
   
   
5. Perceptions of Online Degrees: There is still a stigma associated with online degrees, particularly in fields like psychology where traditional, in-person clinical training is highly valued. This bias can be stronger against non-APA-accredited programs, which are sometimes perceived as less rigorous.
   
   
6. Non-APA-Accredited Degree: Not having an APA-accredited degree can limit opportunities, especially in settings that require or prefer accreditation due to state licensing standards or institutional policies.
   
   
7. Lack of Required Practicum or Internship: The absence of practicum or internship experience can be a critical gap, as these are key components of training that provide practical, supervised experience in the field.
   
   
8. Potential Bias Against Personal Background: My name, gender, religion, and ethnicity might lead to conscious or unconscious bias in a field that still struggles with diversity and inclusion issues.
   
   
9. Bias from Senior Professionals in the Field: On the Student Doctor Network forums, several senior professionals have expressed significant bias against online programs and non-APA-accredited degrees. For example:
   • One user mentioned, "10 out of 10 times I toss non-APA apps because there are plenty of 'better on paper' options. It is truly an uphill battle the entire way for people with non-APA training" (Student Doctor Network).
   • Another user pointed out the difficulty of securing internships, stating that many students from non-APA programs "end up working harder for worse job prospects" and face significant challenges in finding employment in competitive fields like clinical psychology (Student Doctor Network).
   • Additional comments reflect skepticism about the rigor and quality of online programs, with users noting concerns such as "the website lists in multiple places 'CalSouthern cannot guarantee employment, licensure, salary, or career advancement,'" which they found unsettling (Student Doctor Network).
   • A senior member remarked, "If this online degree meets all requirements for California, why not get licensed there? The fact that you are searching for 'SPE' is strange. Did you not get any practica? Why not?" highlighting a general distrust of the training provided by online programs (Student Doctor Network).
10. Resistance from APA and the Need for Institutional Autonomy: The American Psychological Association (APA) has been slow to recognize and approve online programs, acting in a monopolistic manner which influences universities across the United States. Despite APA's restrictive policies requiring its accredited institutions to only grant admissions to candidates with both a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, it's crucial to consider the broader context of institutional autonomy. According to the Association of American Universities, "Institutional autonomy, as defined by the Supreme Court in Sweezy v. New Hampshire (1957), is 'the right of the university to determine for itself, on academic grounds, who may teach, what may be taught, how it shall be taught, and who may be admitted to study.' These essential rights rest on the separation of the university in academic matters and in governance from outside groups, particularly federal or state governments but also industry and other external interest groups. The Supreme Court has further found that 'universities occupy a special niche in our constitutional tradition' and that in deference to institutional autonomy, 'good faith on the part of a university' should be 'presumed absent a showing to the contrary' (Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003)." These rulings underscore the enduring compact between society and higher education: colleges and universities undertake the education of future citizens and leaders, and society grants these institutions the autonomy to fulfill that mission. This perspective is essential in understanding the complexities of my situation, where a highly capable institution is limited by overarching regulatory expectations that may not align with current educational innovations and needs.

These detailed challenges underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of the evolving landscape in higher education and professional training in psychology. By addressing these biases and highlighting my strengths and dedication, I can better navigate my career transition.

But I will never give up.

 

SDN can be a bit of an opinionated and vitriolic group. Some of them give the impression of going to the Steve Levicoff school of public discourse.

That said, if you didn't include a practicum as part of the degree program that does make the CalSouthern degree standout even more (not in a good sense). Licensure geared degree programs have it as a component of a program regardless of whether it is a psychology, counseling, social work.

It is also the case in addictions therapy except that there is the workaround mentioned based on your doctorate. I am fairly confident that you will receive a positive response from the inquiry. It then becomes a matter of whether that route meets your needs or goals.

 

Dr. Evangelina Alonso, Psy.D., Director of Clinical Training (Psy.D.), at California Southern University sent a Verification Letter for courses taken at California Southern University's PsyD Program on my behalf to the Virginia Board of Psychology via DocuSign and the following is the pertinent excerpt:

"Fulfillment of Concentrated Doctoral Study Courses in an Area of Psychology
California Southern University​

To the Virginia Board of Psychology,​

This letter is to confirm that PositiveSoul, a Doctor of Psychology graduate of California Southern University, completed the following doctoral concentrated courses in the PsyD Program.​

Please see course descriptions below:​

PSY-7521 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology: 3.00 Semester Hours
This course focuses on how successful managers and employees apply psychological concepts to resolve organizational and interpersonal issues. In addition, it will explore personality and group dynamics that affect attitudes and behaviors.​

PSY-7533 - Psychology of Death and Dying: 3.00 Semester Hours
This course provides a context to explore issues related to death, dying and bereavement. Consideration is given to cultural, religious, and other diversity issues in the way people mourn and cope with death and dying over the lifespan. Psychological, social, philosophical, moral, legal and ethical factors associated with suicide, euthanasia and biomedical issues, and dying with dignity are addressed.​

PSY-7728 - The Psychology of Violence and Domestic Abuse Reporting: 3.00 Semester Hours
Domestic Violence/Interpersonal Violence is examined from an interdisciplinary and prevention perspective with regards to sociological, psychological, and social justice issues. The cycle of violence, dominance, and control in relationships marked by interpersonal violence is examined. Emphasis is on the intervention and treatment strategies used to respond to family violence with consideration of culture and diversity issues. Research on interpersonal violence, legal policies, and victim rights are addressed.​

PSY-7738 - Advanced Psychology of Addictions & Compulsive Behaviors: 3.00 Semester Hours
This course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' substance-related disorders (drugs, alcohol), addictive behavioral disorders (gambling, sex, and internet), eating disorders, and co-occurring clinical and personality disorders. The biological, psychological, and social aspects of addiction, as well as cultural and legal-ethical issues, are highlighted. Previous coursework in graduate-level addiction studies and abnormal psychology is strongly recommended.​

PSY-7527 - Psychology of Stress & Stress Related Disorders: 3.00 Semester Hours
This course addresses the physical, psychological and sociocultural implications of stress. Evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies including intrapersonal, interpersonal, perception, religion, spirituality, and relaxation techniques are explored. Strong consideration is given to mind-body research in the area of stress and stress related disorders.​

PSY-7507 - Advanced Human Sexuality: 3.00 Semester Hours
This advanced course focuses on human sexual behavior as an interaction of physiological, psychological, and sociocultural processes. Within this biopsychosocial perspective, the impact of politics on sexuality is considered. Learners explore the development of sexual identity, sexual behavior, and sexual disorders that cross cultural boundaries and sexual orientation lines."

​

And they still rejected my application.

Thank you for this wonderful suggestion. I will try that.

Dr. Debbie Martinez, who has left CalSouthern, was kind enough to send a list but I found most of the entries for the contact information outdated on that list. I have used multiple lists availabe (e.g. Facebook, CalSouthern's list, Fielding University's list, Psychology Today, APA website)

I have highlighted some of the obstacles I am facing in this post.

I am also looking for employment opportunities that will facilitate my SPEs. I know I cannot expect to make a high six-figure income in psychology like I was making in IT but I am to step back and get the pay cut to propel in the future.

Thank you for the URLs for the jobs. I will explore more and most importantly, I will never give up till I break into this field. I appreciate the support and best wishes.