Dr. Ray Finn

Dear Nancy, I think you have recognized a need for some skills that most people in helping professions don't think about. I agree with the other respondents that an accounting background would be helpful in understanding the financial side of private practice, which is, after all, a business....

Dear Danielle, Since I am a psychologist my knowledge of the other licenses is limited but here is what I know: LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor There are minor differences...

Dear Breanna, Dear Breanna, I have been away from academia for many years, so my answer may be out of date. My understanding is that undergraduate psychology programs don't require any sort of internship, especially in the freshman year. I think some social work programs may require...

Dear Imani, I have been away from academia for many years, but in the past many programs did not especially want applicants with previous experience, since they wanted to mold students in their image. Also, jobs in mental health for people with bachelor's degrees are very limited. Finally,...

Dear Angela, Unfortunately there are very few jobs for people with bachelor's degrees in psychology or counseling. I agree with Daniela that you would need to attend a master's degree program in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy or a similar field to achieve your goal....

Dear Yong Kook, Since I live in Texas, which has a large Hispanic population, I would learn Spanish. Ray Finn,...

Dear Brittany, Congratulations on having achieved so much at a young age. As I look at your schedule I don't see any time for you to relax and do nothing. When I was a first year graduate student I was worried about making good enough grades to stay in so I studied nights, weekends and even...

Dear Estefania, I have not been around universities very much during my career but I have a few general suggestions for you. I don't know if any universities specifically offer the option of combined degrees but it should be easy to find out. Since you live in the DFW area I suggest you look...

Dear Uma, I am responding to you primarily as a psychologist who spent thirty plus years dealing with clients' emotional problems, including many with depression and anxiety. It is hard to give you very specific recommendations because I know so little about your anxiety, how severe it is and...

Dear Estela, I just want to add a few comments to the previous responses. There are some positions available for people with bachelor's degrees in psychology, social work and related fields. Some examples are probation officers and child protective services workers. However they generally...

Dear Azar, Since I am a psychologist I can only give you some general information. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating patients with mental health problems. They graduate from medical school and then complete a residency in psychiatry, usually three years in length....

Dear Rachel, There are a few, but not many, positions in the social services field, such as probation officers and child protective services workers, that require a bachelor's degree in psychology or another behavioral sciences. Your university probably has a placement service that helps...

Dear Madeline, Great question. In my experience both sensitivity to people and scientific knowledge are important. Obviously some basic interest in people is necessary to function effectively as a clinician and enjoy your work, and good clinicians are observant. However being able to fit...

Dear Rachel, As far as I know the two majors are very similar. Social workers historically did case work and community organizing, but in the 1960's many schools developed clinical social work programs to train students to be counselors and therapists. They receive a master's in social work...

Dear Shakera, You have already received some excellent responses to your question so I will only add a few comments. My perspective is that of a psychologist who worked in the field for about 40 years. Whether you would find a career in the mental health field rewarding depends on your...