Okay, so you wanna know what I did with my clinical psychology degree? Buckle up, it’s been a ride.
First things first, graduation! Felt amazing, like I could conquer the world. Then reality hit – student loans, right? So, I started looking for jobs, and honestly, it was a bit overwhelming. Everyone tells you “therapy, therapy, therapy,” but I wasn’t sure that was exactly what I wanted to do, at least not right away.
I applied for a bunch of different things. I remember spending hours tweaking my resume and writing cover letters. It was a grind. I mean, I even considered being a research assistant for a while. The pay wasn’t great, but it would’ve been a foot in the door.
My first “real” job? Case manager at a community mental health center. Think working with folks with serious mental illness – schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, the works. It was tough, man. A lot of crisis intervention, connecting people with resources, making sure they were taking their meds, stuff like that. I was constantly on the phone, driving all over the city, dealing with paperwork… it was a LOT.
What I did learn there was invaluable. I learned how to talk to people in crisis, how to de-escalate situations, how the mental health system actually works (and how broken it can be). It toughened me up, for sure.
I stuck with that for about two years. It paid the bills, and I got some solid experience. But I started feeling burned out. So, I started thinking about going back to school.
That’s when I started looking into doctoral programs. I wanted to do research, learn more about the science behind mental health, and maybe eventually teach. The application process was brutal – GREs, essays, interviews… Ugh! But I got in!
My PhD program focused on developmental psychopathology. Basically, studying how mental disorders develop over the lifespan. Lots of stats, research methods, and, of course, clinical training. I spent a lot of time in the university’s clinic, providing therapy under supervision. CBT, DBT, the whole shebang.
I spent like five years in the program. It was challenging, but I loved it. I presented at conferences, published research papers, and finally defended my dissertation. Dr. Me!
After graduating, I did a post-doctoral fellowship at a hospital. This was more specialized training – working with kids and adolescents with anxiety disorders. It was intense, but I learned so much from my supervisors and colleagues.
And now? I’m a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice. I see clients, do research, and teach a few classes at a local university. It’s a good balance for me. I get to use my clinical skills, stay engaged with the research, and help train the next generation of psychologists.
So, what can you do with a clinical psychology degree? A LOT! Therapy, research, teaching, consulting, assessment… The possibilities are pretty broad. It just depends on what you’re passionate about and what you’re willing to work for.
- Community Mental Health
- Hospitals
- Private Practice
- Universities
- Research Institutions
The key is to be open to different experiences, to learn from every opportunity, and to never stop growing. It’s a tough field, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Helping people improve their lives is a pretty awesome feeling.
And that’s my story, in a nutshell. Hope it helps!
