can one open a practice as a phychologist with a Master's degree or need a PhD degree as well?

Answer 1

It is not a simple answer. In the U.S. and Canada, psychologists are licensed by the state or province and the rules differ in each place. To work independently as a psychologist, most states and provinces require a doctoral degree. That could be a PhD, a PsyD or, in some places, even an EdD. However, there are also a few places where you can be licensed for independent practise with a Master's Degree (West Virginia and Nova Scotia, for example). A number of states and provinces also license master's level individuals as "psychological associates" (or other similar terms). These individuals must be supervised by a doctoral level psychologists. Finally, some places will also license school psychologists at the master's level, but their practise is restricted to working in the school system.

So, the short answer is, to open an independent practise, you must be licensed and in the U.S. and Canada, there are only a handful of places where you can do that at the Master's level.

Answer 2

A layman's guess. While there are many jobs open in the field of psychology for a person with a Master's degree you won't be called Dr. until you get that PhD.

Answer 3

I don't think so, and if so, you need to find a market and be able to ethically provide services within your qualifications. In certan situations, if you are certified to administer testing, you could freelance your services and work for yourself, but this would probably be undermined by parents usually going with a school psychologist, or one recommended by another professional. Now, if you have an IN with someone who can send you clients? That would work, still don't know if you would have a very steady stream of clients.

I am familiar with this because I work in the helping professions too. I like to think of myself as being as wise and effective as a therapist in many situations, but I do NOT have the qualifications (BA social work) to open a therapy practice.

With an MA though, your options in clinical and other work are almost endless...as long as you are working under the umbrella of a higher certified professional, or within your own credentials. Choices include school psychology and academic testing, as well as all kinds of counselling:

Guidance counselling at a school
Social worker at a school or hospital
Grief counselling, crisis counselling
Civil servant's trauma counselor, as in the people who helped firefighters and police officers after 9/11 or school shooting, help postal workers or other professionals when someone shoots up their workplace.
You could be a paid staff for any disaster relief provider such as Red Cross.

Etc. Do well, this is a messed up world!

Answer 4

You need a Doctor of Psychology degree with 1 year of fulltime internship, and a license if so required by your country or state, to practice clinical psychology.

A Master's Degree will allow you to practice as a counselor.

Goodluck with your career!