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Mike
Student
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
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What would be the easiest route to entering into my own practice as a psychologist or would it be easier to work under a licensed psychologist?
What would be the best route for me to end up with my own practice as a psychologist. I either want to enter into family counseling or work right under a licensed psychologist. As of right now I plan to get my masters in psychology and go from there but what all could I do with a masters? #Fall25
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Michelle M.
Actress
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mike !
For you to practice as a Psychologist in your state of Mississippi, you will have to obtain your Bachelors Degree in Psychology and then go for a Doctoral Program in Psychology which takes an additional 5 to 7 years to complete. You do 4,000 hours of supervised professional experience over two full time years. The first 2,000 hours must be fulfilled during a doctoral internship, which must be APA-accredited and include at least four hours of supervision per week, with at least two hours being individual supervision The second 2,000 hours must be postdoctoral and specific to the psychologist’s area of specialization, also requiring at least two hours of individual supervision per week.
You must pass three exams, one being about specific Mississippi psychology laws and regulations. Then you apply for your license. So you will have to be a Licensed Psychologist yourself to practice and would not need to practice under another licensed psychologist.
No one can tell you what would be "easy" for you, working for a company or starting your own practice. This is something you'll need to discover for yourself. You will be putting in many clinical hours during your Doctoral Program so you will get an idea of what it's like working for a company.
The only thing you'd need to do to have your own practice would be able to rent an office. You can wait and consider that later on if you do not have the funds right away after you become Licensed. I advise against setting up an office attached to your home because of the unpredictable nature of the work as well as you will need your own personal privacy. Check with your local city or town hall about how to register a business if you start a private practice.
Mike, you are not exactly going to be able to write the script or have an easy peasy type path with becoming a Psychologist. Become more informed about the work before you make a commitment to this important, serious field of work. You're going to need to follow the academics, projects and learn how to work with all populations. Students need to wait to see what opportunities present themselves along the way - no one can tell them about it beforehand.
So rest assured, you can start your own practice right away or work for a company or maybe at a few providers. Take things a step at a time and try not to think too far ahead. Things will unfold smoothly for you if you let it.
As far as a Masters, in Mississippi, you go from a Bachelors Degree directly into the Doctoral Program for Psychology. Please speak with your guidance counselor or an Academic Advisor at the college you plan to attend. You can also verify the requirements for becoming a Psychologist in Mississippi by doing a search online.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
For you to practice as a Psychologist in your state of Mississippi, you will have to obtain your Bachelors Degree in Psychology and then go for a Doctoral Program in Psychology which takes an additional 5 to 7 years to complete. You do 4,000 hours of supervised professional experience over two full time years. The first 2,000 hours must be fulfilled during a doctoral internship, which must be APA-accredited and include at least four hours of supervision per week, with at least two hours being individual supervision The second 2,000 hours must be postdoctoral and specific to the psychologist’s area of specialization, also requiring at least two hours of individual supervision per week.
You must pass three exams, one being about specific Mississippi psychology laws and regulations. Then you apply for your license. So you will have to be a Licensed Psychologist yourself to practice and would not need to practice under another licensed psychologist.
No one can tell you what would be "easy" for you, working for a company or starting your own practice. This is something you'll need to discover for yourself. You will be putting in many clinical hours during your Doctoral Program so you will get an idea of what it's like working for a company.
The only thing you'd need to do to have your own practice would be able to rent an office. You can wait and consider that later on if you do not have the funds right away after you become Licensed. I advise against setting up an office attached to your home because of the unpredictable nature of the work as well as you will need your own personal privacy. Check with your local city or town hall about how to register a business if you start a private practice.
Mike, you are not exactly going to be able to write the script or have an easy peasy type path with becoming a Psychologist. Become more informed about the work before you make a commitment to this important, serious field of work. You're going to need to follow the academics, projects and learn how to work with all populations. Students need to wait to see what opportunities present themselves along the way - no one can tell them about it beforehand.
So rest assured, you can start your own practice right away or work for a company or maybe at a few providers. Take things a step at a time and try not to think too far ahead. Things will unfold smoothly for you if you let it.
As far as a Masters, in Mississippi, you go from a Bachelors Degree directly into the Doctoral Program for Psychology. Please speak with your guidance counselor or an Academic Advisor at the college you plan to attend. You can also verify the requirements for becoming a Psychologist in Mississippi by doing a search online.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !