Discouraged from becoming a Psychologist...what do you think?

Question

I am being told that with healthcare budgets being cut so drastically this field is not one to pursue. Any extra info out there for me?

Answer 1

Well, from experience, I can only say that you really have to listen to your heart on this one. If this is something you want to do with your life, you shouldn't let anyone else sway you or you'll never be happy in your life. You can always add a second major, like a teaching certificate which would let you do both or have a fall-back option.

It also never hurts to do some legwork. Schedule an informational interview with some psychologists and talk to them about their work so you can decide if it really is what you want to do. You can also ask them what they think about pursuing it in this day and age.

Anyway, healthcare budgets change and a lot of people pay for their own counseling services regardless of their insurance reimbursements.

Best of luck. I hope you find your answer.

Answer 2

I'd be discouraged if I wanted to make a fabulous fortune as a famous psychologist. But if you want to work with others and analyze behavior, you could still pursue a degree and work in various residential and day program settings for individuals with emotional disturbance, developmental delays, etc. There are many ways to serve people with a psychology degree and still make a decent living.

Do remember that a therapist and a psychologist are not necessarily the same thing.

Answer 3

I disagree, but it depends on a lot of factors:

1. where you live: metropolitan areas with more money are more likely to have better paying jobs

2. what type of psychologist you want to be--for example, school psychology is booming right now and pays pretty decently; experimental would be harder to find employment in

3. If you want to do therapy, there are plenty of "insurance approved" empirically proven sorts of cognitive-behavioral plans and you can certainly make a living. However, you have to choose a type of therapeutic-theoretical orientation that you can be true to (i.e., believe in) and that insurance companies do accept.

If you really want to do psychology, do it, and start networking. Most jobs are landed through networking, with credentials being a requirement but a somewhat secondary one after "who you know." Join APA or a particular professional association that relates to your exact interest and start attending conferences to meet people who could help get you employed (for example, NASP is the association for school psychologists and lists job openings all over the country).

Answer 4

I don't have any actual info ,, but this world is going to get sicker , you would be wise , let me say that again , you would be wise to go right ahead and keep going right on up to psychiatry , just take your time and get a degree,, you'll never regrett it except for the long hours , and the strain on your own mind ,, hearing other peoples problems can get too you after a few years ,,, but ,,, ten years and this old world will be a sick one,,,

Answer 5

I never heard of that, but if you're in this field for the money only...I suggest look elsewhere.

You really have to have a passion for this field, and the average pay is about 75,000 from what I've read.

Answer 6

Look into experimental psychology.

Answer 7

try occupational therapy, i heard yo make more money because there is a high demand of people who need to take care of people with movement problems