2 answers
Rodhy
Student
Haverstraw, New York
1
Question
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How realistic is it to be able to do research AND clinical work with a Clinical Psychology PhD?
I am very interested in both clinical work and research when it comes to psychology and I am not exactly sure if I could chose one over the other at the moment. Is it possible to do both? How difficult will it be to manage compared to doing one or the other?
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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
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Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Rodhy,
That is totally doable! Most psychologists I know at universities also have a private practice or are part of a group practice. You need to aim for a research position or professorship at a university for the research part. You may have to fund your own position through research grants though. You'll need to negotiate with your university how to split your time.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
That is totally doable! Most psychologists I know at universities also have a private practice or are part of a group practice. You need to aim for a research position or professorship at a university for the research part. You may have to fund your own position through research grants though. You'll need to negotiate with your university how to split your time.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Mehr Bd
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Mehr’s Answer
Hi Rodhy,
That’s a great question, and the good news is—yes, it’s definitely possible to do both clinical work and research. In fact, that’s exactly what many clinical psychology PhD students do (in the U.S.). These programs are typically designed to train students as clinical scientists.
That said, balancing both can be challenging. It requires strong time management and the ability to prioritize depending on the demands of each semester or training setting. Still, it’s entirely doable, and people find a rhythm that works for them over time.
As for whether it’s more difficult than doing one or the other, it really depends on you—your goals, interests, and working style. Any doctoral program (whether PhD or PsyD) is going to be intense, but that shouldn't discourage you. Think about where you see yourself after graduation:
If you’re more interested in clinical work and only want to engage in research occasionally, a PsyD program might be a better fit.
If you’re drawn to research—especially if you envision running your own lab or working in academia—a PhD program would offer more opportunities in that direction.
The key is knowing what kind of balance you’d like in the long run, but it’s okay if you’re still figuring that out.
Let me know if you want to talk more about it!
Best,
MB
That’s a great question, and the good news is—yes, it’s definitely possible to do both clinical work and research. In fact, that’s exactly what many clinical psychology PhD students do (in the U.S.). These programs are typically designed to train students as clinical scientists.
That said, balancing both can be challenging. It requires strong time management and the ability to prioritize depending on the demands of each semester or training setting. Still, it’s entirely doable, and people find a rhythm that works for them over time.
As for whether it’s more difficult than doing one or the other, it really depends on you—your goals, interests, and working style. Any doctoral program (whether PhD or PsyD) is going to be intense, but that shouldn't discourage you. Think about where you see yourself after graduation:
If you’re more interested in clinical work and only want to engage in research occasionally, a PsyD program might be a better fit.
If you’re drawn to research—especially if you envision running your own lab or working in academia—a PhD program would offer more opportunities in that direction.
The key is knowing what kind of balance you’d like in the long run, but it’s okay if you’re still figuring that out.
Let me know if you want to talk more about it!
Best,
MB