licensed MH counselors - is PhD worth it?

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by Michele, Jul 26, 2002.

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  1. sulla

    sulla New Member

    Howard,

    Just out of curiosity, when you did your residency what did you think of the building where Capella is located? Is it an old building or a modern attractive one? i'm looking for pictures of it but couldn't find any. I hear it is located up in the 20th building. Thats a pretty high floor for a university.

    Thanks
    -S
     
  2. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: check with the licensing people

    I thought I would add in here for those that do not know any state can be accessed by:

    http://www.state.ny.us

    So just substitute your state in the address. The more difficult part sometimes comes in search for the regulatory body you want (ie LPC can be under dept of health in one state and something else in another). Surprises come up such as Wes' Tennessee which licenses pastoral counselors and accepts recognized accreditation be it National or Regional.

    North
     
  3. simon

    simon New Member

    Although not a substitute for a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, an individual with a doctorate in Professional Counseling, or related area can engage in some creative professional pursuits.

    If possessing administrative/managerial background there are opportunities in the private sector and in some state governments as a senior administrator of mental health, career or rehabilitation centers.

    The opportunity to serve as a consultant to various organizations including the development of career development and assessment programs and staff training are other areas that can be considered.

    As previously noted, executive and professional coaching/assessment is also a possibility with very good earning potnential working with higher functioning clients.

    With the acquisition of National Board Certification in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, CCMHC, from NBCC, a LPC can enhance their marketing potential for new clients in private practice. Posession of the Master Career Counselor certification from NCDA, can also broaden one's viability and marketability.

    Conducting seminars in areas of expertise can also be accomplished with a doctorate in Professional Counseling as well as writing articles and books.

    With a strong level of moivation and self-direction, there are many avenues in which this degree can be used.to further one's career with very good earning potential.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 10, 2002
  4. simon

    simon New Member

    As an addendum to my previous posting, I spoke with several colleagues with doctorates in counseling education, counseling and clinical pschology over the weekend regarding their perspectives re: job opportunities and salaries at the current time in the Northeast.

    Two of my Counseling Education ccolleages related that since they retired from academia, they have been engaged in private practice and as consultants providing their career development expertise within the context of major organizations. Their current salaries are approximately $100,000 per year.

    The two Psychologists I spoke with maintain private practices, one part time and supplemented by a full time job in a state mental health facility anfd the other in full time practice.

    Their perspective is one that has been discussed previously in this forum relating to the competitive nature of private practice and problems with managed care. They noted that several of their peers have transferred their skills to organizational settings and that they are thinking of doing the same.

    They also indicated that the approximate average salary for a Clinical psychologist working in state goverenment in the Northeast is somehere in the fifties to sixty five thousand dollar range. If supplemented by a private practice it may reach the six figure mark.

    Their perspective was that in general organizational psychologists are earning the highest salaries of all professional areas of psychology.

    Obviously, this information is anecdotal. However, as I have previously observed an individual with the appropriate level of self- direction and moxy may be able to earn a very good salary within the scope of practice in a number of professional areas with a doctorate in Counseling. Possessing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology is not the only credential that can enable an individual to seek alternative pathways to make a comfortable living.
     

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