Can I train online to become a psychologist?

Question

I,m a older person with some physical limitations , but would like to become a physcholigist and re enter the work force.

Answer 1

I haven't heard of an accredited doctoral program in psychology. It's harder to get into clinical programs in psych. than it is to get into medical school, and a very large part of the degree involves supervised therapy sessions - most schools either videotape or audiotape their students providing therapy to patients. It would be almost impossible to do this online. Also, another large part of getting a doctoral degree in psychology involves the dissertation which is nearly always based on independent research. You would have to collect data from a fairly large number of people and this too would be almost impossible to do through an online program. There may be some unaccredited psychology programs, but in many states you can't get a license to practice unless you've gone to an accredited school, so this type of program doesn't make a lot of practical sense.

You may be able to get another type of degree in psychology, but probably won't be able to get the skills needed to practice as a psychologist

(Capella.edu - mentioned by the poster below me - provides a masters in psychology. One cannot practice as a psychologist with a masters degree in psychology -- to call oneself a psychologist, one must have attended a doctoral program. Typically, this requires either a PhD or a PsyD. Some EdD programs also confer a doctoral degree of psychology in education. Additionally, not all states allow a person with a masters degree in psychology to obtain licensure to practice.)

Answer 2

You would need to ask yourself a few questions to start off with, such as 1.Why exactly am I doing this? 2. How will it make me feel spending time around depressives? 3. Will it empower me? 4. Do I want to move in or out of mental health as a field of study? 5. What do I want to put into this to gain professional, recognized qualifications? 6. Do I ahve the ability to show empathy and sympathy yet be "cruel to be kind" where it is needed? Im really pleased that you ahve come "out of the other side" it is indeed a testament to your strength and resilience. SOmetimes it may ormay not come back, have pateince with it and yourself, and accept that it will go, just like the weather. You would need counselling qualifications to be registered and practise as an *official* counsellor. I would recomend that you look at your local college brochure and gain some basic qualifications and pherhaps have a look at doing some voluntary work for a local NHS Day Treatment centre. Occupational Health, Art Therapist, CBT Therapist, Counsellor are some of the many jobs available. Btw, i noticed that you dont like the idea of exams. Youve predicted by magically fortune-telling the future, that you will fail as you did as a child? How do you know this? I mean, how do you really know this? It might be worth really challenging your ideas and having a go at a very basic counselling course, or maybe another basic course to get used to education. This would be slightly daunting to anybody after spending a long while out of education anyway. You could at least have a go at a night course, whilst still working at your job. BTW you might also like to look at the area of "NLP" and read the books "Insiders Guide To Submodalities" and "Using your brain for a change"by a guy called Richard Bandler, which are books on self-change. A book that really helped me is "A Guide To Rational Living" by Albert Ellis. BTW IVE JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING- You are a joiner right!? I dont know where you live but here in the uk there are plenty of NHS day treatment centres that use "woodwork therapy" as a therapeutic tool- you would be teaching basic woodwork i.e simple stuff for those with no experience/confidence righ up to cabinet making stuff i.e chairs etc with those with either experience and more confidence. There are facilitators employed to do this, you could be doing woodwork whilst helping people, helping them to have a laugh, throw in the odd bit of advice. How does that sound? Contact your local NHS community centres and day treatment services. best of luck mate

Answer 3

I dont think so since lab biology and clinicals have to be done in person

Answer 4

capella.edu but you will have to attend 4 day colloquiams every year and eventually present and defend a thesis and diseertation. it's about 80% online, and fully accredited.

Answer 5

Go to the libary and git a book on how to becume one.