By Patrick J. McGrath, OC, PhD, FRSC
Question:
I want to be a child psychologist. How can I get into a clinical psychology program?
Dr. Pat responds:
Doctoral training programs in clinical psychology are one of the hardest programs to be admitted to. There are 25 to 35 applicants for each position. So my advice is:
- Chat with some psychologists to make sure it is what you want.
- Get great marks in your bachelor's degree.
- Volunteer in a clinical service organization.
- Volunteer in a psychology research lab.
- Apply to lots of places.
Question:
How long does it take to become a psychologist?
Dr. Pat responds:
The first hurdle is to finish a four-year honours Bachelor's degree in psychology. Then you might take a two-year Master's and a three-year PhD or do a five-year straight-through PhD after the Bachelor's degree. After that you have a one-year internship and maybe a two-year postdoctoral fellowship.
A lot of students take much longer to finish the PhD than you are supposed to. I was a very slow learner and took seven years to do my PhD after my Master's degree. The reason is that research does not follow a nice timetable.
Question:
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Dr. Pat responds:
Psychologists complete a Bachelor's degree in psychology and then a Master's and a PhD. This education focuses on normal and abnormal behaviour and ways of treating abnormal behaviour. Psychologists usually use behavioural or psychological treatments. They do not have the right to prescribe medication. Psychologists are not covered by the provincial health plan but if they work in a hospital, you can usually see them at no charge.
Psychiatrists do at least two years of an undergraduate degree and then go to medical school to obtain an MD. After medical school, they specialize in psychiatry. Psychiatrists prescribe medication and sometimes have expertise in behavioural and psychological treatments. Psychiatrists are covered by the provincial health care plan.
Question:
What is the most common problem that child psychologists see?
Dr. Pat responds:
Behaviour problems such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder are the most common. Problems with anxiety and depression are very common in children and adolescents. But children with anxiety and depression are quiet and don't cause other people as much trouble. They are referred less.
Question:
Why are all psychologists weird or odd?
Dr. Pat responds:
I am a little defensive here. But I think psychologists are no more, or no less, weird or odd than any other profession. Sometimes people think that psychologists should be better at dealing with people than other people are. Although psychologists may be helpful to others, they are no better than plumbers or secretaries in their personal lives.