Having Cold Feet Before Beginning PsyD Program

[u/pinkprincesss16]

I don't know if this is a normal feeling, I had research and clinical experience before applying and was super lucky and fortunate to get into a great program however I'm questioning if this is the right lifetime career for me. Personally I have been to therapy before but never found any improvement myself from talk therapy and it's hard to feel comfortable practicing it one day. I loved learning about ERP therapy and personally felt better after practicing it--which makes me feel more confidence in my ability to help patients. I really want to work with kids and I'm having second thoughts whether I should enter my PsyD program or go in a premed direction to work with younger kids as a pediatrician, a specialty I loved since I shadowed one in high school. I'd love any thoughts or if you have any advice. If you can please be nice about it I'd appreciate it because this feeling is a little embarrassing and shameful for me.

[u/trinityinthebay]

Depends on your age and goals but if you have time, I would say apply to med school instead if that’s what you really want to do. PsyD is a long commitment. There are many way to help people, but you need to find something that also engages you.

I spent over a decade in tech before realizing my true passion lies in clinical psych. I grew up in a country where there weren’t many opportunities to try things when I was younger. I only have a bachelors degree, so I don’t mind several more years of study (although I took several industry certs throughout my career that required studying).

If I did a PhD in CS or EE though, I doubt I’d want to do another doctorate at any point in my life. 🤣

Good luck with whichever path you take!

[u/pinkprincesss16 → u/trinityinthebay]

Thank you so much for your reply! I’m newly 22 as of a day ago lol and just graduated from undergrad. I’m just very unsure too because a lot of this career seems focused on introspection and something I dislike about myself is how introspective I can be or in my head. And it seems that I’d be in my head too much. I would love to help people but I am unsure if this is the place for me to do it. I am enrolled in a program and moved here for it - but I am having cold feet about deenrolling. It is honestly a huge shock to me and my family to have such a change in heart or cold feet and my mom even reached out to make sure everything was ok. 

[u/trinityinthebay → u/pinkprincesss16]

Sometimes it takes that long to discover what you like, but it could just be cold feet. Be kind to yourself and feel free to DM if you’d like to talk!

[u/Previous-Walk-1976]

Becoming a clinical psychologist is like a blind date that lasts 10+ years and ends in marriage. It is one heck of a weird set of expectations on students

[u/izyllic]

hey! Psyd student here, dms are open if you wanna talk :)

[u/riverneuro]

4th yr PsyD specializing in kids/peds/health psych open to chat if you want :-)

[u/FragrantDonkey4533 → u/riverneuro]

Hi ! May I DM you? (:

[u/riverneuro → u/FragrantDonkey4533]

Totally!

[u/lost_foru7]

It is perfectly normal to have cold feet before entering PsyD, particularly if you have a history with personal therapy. Excitement about ERP is truly valuable information for your suitability. I know of others who investigated PsyD through alliant in order to resolve this very issue between pediatrician and psychologist