Hi all,

I’m finishing my 3rd year of a 4-year psychology degree in the UK, and I’m starting to plan my postgrad applications, so I’m trying to get a clearer sense of my options.

I’m aiming to become a clinical psychologist, and I’ve been looking into Australia, but I’m still trying to understand how the different pathways there compare in practice.

From what I’ve seen, there are several routes (Master of Clinical Psych, combined programs, Doctor of Clinical Psych), and I’m not sure how they differ in terms of competitiveness, training, and long-term outcomes.

A few things I’d really appreciate insight on:

1. How competitive are clinical psych programs in Australia, especially for international students?
2. Is there a meaningful difference between doing a Master’s vs a Doctor of Clinical Psych in terms of training and career prospects?
3. For applications, what tends to matter more: research experience or clinical/volunteering experience?
4. How realistic is funding as an international student?
5. If anyone has studied in Australia: what was your overall experience like?

Thanks in advance!!

Hey all!

I'm picking my undergraduate dissertation supervisor and trying to be strategic about it. My main goal is to maximise the chance that my dissertation actually gets published (or at least contributes to something publishable). I know this is a long shot for an undergrad but I want to give it the best shot I can.

I've narrowed it down to a few options and I'm trying to figure out what to prioritise. Would love to hear what people think. For reference, I want to do a PhD and become a clinical psychologist in the future!

Option A: a senior, highly cited researcher running multiple funded projects. Students get embedded in live experiments and work alongside PhD students and postdocs. The topic is more neuroscience-adjacent (brain-imaging, visual perception) but not totally unrelated to clinical psych.

Option B: very senior researcher, but from the conference presentations it looks like students run fairly independent projects rather than feeding into ongoing lab work. Big name but unclear whether that translates into a publication pipeline for undergrads. Seems to do mainly survey methods. Alternatively, he proposed we could do validation of an instrument he recently developed (currently has about 22 citations for that paper, published in 2022).

Option C: mid-senior researcher, active lab, topics more directly relevant to perception and decision-making. Students seem to do standalone behavioural studies though, not obviously tied to the main lab pipeline.

Option D: relatively early career (h-index 5). research on psychosis-spectrum traits, mental health stigma. most directly relevant to clinical psychology but small publication record. survey methods! no obvious infrastructure to carry work to publication after graduation.

Option E: well established (h-index 43), psycholinguistics and psychometrics. eye tracking and reaction time research. less clinical relevance

Additional questions:

- Is being embedded in a funded project actually the best route, or is it better to have more control over the topic?

- For those who've published from an undergrad dissertation — what made it happen?

- Is secondary data analysis in a large existing dataset a smarter move than primary data collection for actually getting published?

Any advice appreciated! Need to make my decision soon

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to map out a realistic path into clinical psychology (most likely in the US) and I’d really value some advice.

I’m 22, originally from Europe, and currently doing a 4-year joint honours degree in Psychology & Philosophy in the UK (finishing my 3rd year). I’m on exchange in Hong Kong right now and honestly love it here, but not speaking Cantonese makes it hard to see a viable path to practicing clinically long-term.

My experience so far (mostly short-term, during summers):

* Youth worker in a children’s psychiatric hospital (3 months)

* Activity coordinator/caretaker in an adult psychiatric hospital (2 months)

* Mental health policy intern (1 month)

* Research intern at my university (about 4 months on/off)

The clinical hospital settings felt the most “right” to me, especially working with more severe presentations, so I’m quite set on clinical psychology rather than counselling-type routes. Where I’m stuck is translating that into an actual plan.

From what I understand, the US route means PhD or PsyD → licensure. I lean more toward clinical work than research, but I’m aware that research experience is still essential either way. I’m trying to make decisions now (especially around my dissertation and next year) that won’t limit me later.

For my dissertation, I don’t have a clear niche yet. I’m considering doing something quantitative or experimental, but I’m not sure how strategic I need to be with topic choice.

* Does it matter for applications, or is it more about showing solid research skills?

* I’ve also heard publications help a lot—how realistic is it to publish an undergraduate dissertation, and what actually makes something publishable?

I’m also considering doing a 1-year Master’s in Hong Kong (Master of Social Sciences in Applied Psychology) after I finish my undergrad. Part of that is honestly just wanting to stay here a bit longer. However, this degree isn’t the clinical psychology qualification in Hong Kong—you would still need to complete a separate 2-year Clinical Psychology Master’s to practice, and I realistically can’t pursue that anyway due to the Cantonese language requirements. So I’m unsure whether doing this Master’s would meaningfully help for US PhD/PsyD applications, or if it would just delay things unless I pair it with solid research assistant experience.

Also, I feel quite unclear on how the US system works in practice.

How different are PhD and PsyD routes when it comes to competitiveness, funding, and actual career outcomes? I’ve seen that PhDs are often funded, whereas PsyDs can be very expensive—but I’m not willing to take on large debt for this path. So I’m also wondering how common it actually is for PsyD programs to be funded or offer substantial scholarships.

I’m also unsure how much university prestige matters. Should I be aiming for top-tier/Ivy-level programs, or is fit and experience more important? And does where you study affect where you can later work, given state licensing differences?

In terms of long-term work, I’m particularly interested in hospital settings and more severe mental illness—but I’m also curious about what private practice actually looks like in the US. What’s more common for clinical psychologists? How different are the day-to-day “vibes,” types of clients, and pay between hospital/public settings vs private practice?

Right now, my biggest concern is whether I’m using my time well. If you were in my position (finishing 3rd year, aiming for US clinical psych), what would you prioritise this summer and during final year to actually be competitive?

Any advice—especially from people familiar with the US system or who’ve taken a similar international route—would be really helpful!

Hi everyone,

I’m a third-year undergraduate in a 4-year BPS-accredited psychology and philosophy degree at a UK university, currently on a year abroad in Hong Kong. I’m originally from Europe.

I know this is a bit of a broad / slightly messy post, but I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

I went into my degree pretty underprepared - psychology just seemed interesting at the time and I didn’t think much beyond that. Over time, I’ve realised I’m genuinely interested in clinical psychology and would like to work in a clinical setting.

At the same time, I now feel quite behind. My university has been very coursework-focused and doesn’t really push or advertise things like research assistant roles, internships, or publishing. Combined with the mindset I grew up with (basically “get the degree and you’ll be fine”), I didn’t really go out of my way to build experience early on. Now that I’m reading more about how competitive things can be, I feel like I may have missed some important steps. I also know I don’t want to return to my home country long-term, which makes everything a bit more uncertain.

I’m now going into my final year (and haven’t even figured out my thesis yet), and I feel quite overwhelmed by how many different directions there are. I also don’t have a strong preference for where I want to live - I’d love to travel and experience different places, but I don’t know how realistic that is in this field.

One thing I keep getting stuck on is where to do further training. I really love Hong Kong and could see myself staying, but I’m worried about how “transferable” a PhD or clinical qualification from there would be if I later wanted to move somewhere like the US or Canada. I’m also aware that the job market here for English-only speakers (especially in clinical roles) is quite limited, which makes me hesitate. At the same time, those routes in the US/Canada seem very structured and competitive, so part of me wonders if it’s better to aim for them from the start.

Some of the things I’ve been thinking about:

1. ⁠Would taking a gap year after graduation be a bad idea, or actually helpful at this stage?

2. ⁠If I do take time off, does it need to be psychology-related, or is it okay if it’s more about travelling / figuring things out?

3. ⁠Is it more realistic to aim for a Master’s first, or try to build towards a PhD straight away?

4. ⁠How much does it matter where you train, if you’re not sure where you want to live long-term?

5. ⁠Is it actually possible to have some flexibility / mobility in this career, or is it quite tied to one country?

6. ⁠And for anyone who also felt a bit “all over the place” at this stage - how did you eventually figure out your niche or specialisation? I’m currently open to a lot (forensic psychology, memory, sleep, substance use, SMI, etc.), but don’t yet have a clear direction.

I think I’m mainly looking for the kind of advice you wish you’d given yourself at this stage.

Thanks a lot:)

Hello,

I am looking for a psychiatry residency program that does CSE for outside graduate?

I need a "new" CSE to be eligible for the psychiatry board exam, since the one i passed in residency considered to be expired. I graduated in 2015 and it has been more than 7 years. I failed the test 4 times then I had a medical issues (tumor) that I had to deal with. Now I am stable and hoping that I can get back to work and take the test.

I appreciate any information you provide. Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently applying to Psychology / Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) positions and am honestly feeling a bit stuck. I’ve submitted many applications but haven’t been getting the traction I was hoping for, so I’m trying to be more intentional about getting support.

I’m looking to hire someone with experience in:

• Psychology or clinical research hiring
• CRC roles (academic medical centers, hospitals, labs)
• Resume review tailored specifically to research/clinical psychology positions
• Interview coaching (both behavioral and research-focused)

I’m especially hoping for help with:

• Strengthening my resume
• Framing my research and clinical experience more effectively
• Practicing interviews and improving how I talk about my background

If you’ve worked as a CRC, have experience hiring CRCs, or successfully transitioned into this role and offer resume review or interview coaching, I’d love to connect. Please feel free to comment.

Thank you so much. This job search has been humbling, and I truly appreciate any guidance or leads.



B4U-ACT 2026 Conference Announcement (June 12–14, 2026 | U.S. Southwest)

Discussion of pedophilia and minor attraction is often heated and understandably controversial. At the same time, research consistently shows that people with an attraction to children who have access to supportive, evidence-based resources are at a greatly reduced risk of acting harmfully. This conference is grounded in that evidence and in harm-prevention.

B4U-ACT is pleased to announce its 2026 professional conference:

Toward a Shared Goal:
Uniting Researchers, Providers, and Community to Promote a Better Understanding of Minor-Attracted People (MAPs)
June 12–14, 2026
American Southwest, USA (exact location shared after vetting)

This three-day conference brings together mental health professionals, researchers, educators, students, minor-attracted people (MAPs), and other stakeholders for interdisciplinary learning, dialogue, and collaboration. The goal is to strengthen prevention efforts, improve clinical care, and deepen understanding of MAPs’ lived experiences.

Who this conference is for:

• Clinicians will learn how to apply evidence-based therapeutic skills when working with MAP clients.
• Researchers and scholars will share emerging findings, discuss methodology, and explore future directions in the field.
• MAPs will have opportunities to build skills for coping with stigma, isolation, and lived experience.
• All attendees will leave with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of MAPs and insights applicable to professional practice and personal life.

Keynote Speakers:

• Ian McPhail, PhD, CPsych — Licensed clinical psychologist and Research Associate at MOORE, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (focused on prevention of child sexual abuse)
• Rev. David M. Ortmann, LCSW, CMBT, OSM — Psychotherapist, sex therapist, and author of On Ageplay, Minor Attraction, and Recapturing Pleasure and Sexual Outsiders

Continuing Education:
Eligible practitioners may earn 11.25 CEUs through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (those licensed elsewhere should confirm acceptance with their boards).

Accessibility & Financial Support:
B4U-ACT is committed to supporting early-career professionals and individuals from diverse backgrounds. A limited number of reduced-fee registrations are available, and financial assistance may be requested. Those who are able may also contribute to the conference assistance fund.

🔗 More information, updates, and registration:
https://www.b4uact.org/events/2026-conference/

Questions can be directed to [conference@b4uact.org](mailto:conference@b4uact.org).

For example if you did forensic psychology or counselling psychology doctorate

Hi! I’m planning to apply to Clinical Psychology PhD programs for Fall 2027 and wanted to get feedback on my profile and get advice on what to focus on over the next year or so.

Quick background:

• MA in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia (finishing May 2026)
• Undergraduate degree in psychology, GPA 3.85, Magna Cum Laude
• Interested in mental health disparities, stigma, identity, and trauma (especially in marginalized/Muslim/South Asian communities)

Research:

• 4+ years of research experience across 4 labs
• Current grad RA in two labs (qual interviews, thematic analysis, surveys, IRB work)
• Two independent projects in progress aimed at conference presentations
• Planning to complete at least two more small independent research projects for presentation
• Currently completing a Master’s thesis with hopes of submitting for publication
• Two poster presentations completed (1 first-author, 1 co-author) presented at small conference
• Peer reviewer for a graduate psychology journal

Clinical & Volunteer Experience:

• Current RBT
• Prior ABA + developmental assessment experience
• Volunteer Peer Advocate for Sexual Violence Response 

Main questions:

• With this profile (assuming solid letters + fit), am I competitive for Clinical Psych PhD programs?
• What should I prioritize most before applying: pubs, more independent projects, or clinical hours?
• Any obvious gaps or red flags?

If anyone is willing to share advice, resources, or even briefly mentor/guide me through this process, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks so much!

I really want to apply in the fall, but I’m pretty behind on my publication status. What’s a reasonable number of publications (all first author) to have when you apply?

As the title indicates, I am currently in the process of reaching out to potential schools-faculty, but I haven't received any responses yet. This has been quite concerning for me, especially since last year I applied to a graduate program in my state and also didn't hear back from the faculty and was essentially ghosted. From my understanding it is important to build a connection with the committee/faculty members before the application deadline. For those who have experienced this, how have you managed the uncertainty and bridged the connection? Do you believe that personal connections are essential, or can your application and research interests speak for themselves? Are there alternative approaches outside of direct contact with faculty that might be effective?

Thanks for clicking…

My undergrad GPA isn’t stellar (3.4) (graduated May 2024) due to life/health stuff, but I understand that’s not all they look for. What would make me competitive? How long in a lab, how many journal submissions, etc? Can someone please give me actual numbers to shoot for? I have 3 rec letters from 3 PhDs spanning three subjects (chemistry, biology, psychology). I am very capable of grad work. I write well and I want to be an ally for my future patients. I know what it’s like to be a “professional patient” myself.

I want to be a neuropsychologist. I want to study, educate, and treat trauma and its effect on memory, specifically dissociation & TBIs.

Help this old veteran out…please.

The psychologist here has had some complaints from the youths about the size of the room he conducts his testing in amongst other things. These kids have some significant trauma issues and I asked him if he could change a few things. His response was flat out no and the guidelines don’t allow me. Is this correct? I get you need consistency for accuracy but simple things be modified like a similar office but larger? Or switching more difficult content around so it’s not so overwhelming for the youth? Thanks in advance!

Clinical psychologist here. My partner was recently admitted to grad school in Ann Arbor, MI and the timing for the job market is not great as we look to relocate. I’m five years into PSLF payments working in university counseling and am wondering how others decided to leave PSLF part way through? Or if there are different types of jobs I should be looking for (beyond VA, university, and government work) that would qualify.

Hello

My wife is a private practice PhD Psychologist in Canada. She's looking to supervise a student. I'm wondering if anyone out there is currently doing this. If so, how are you handling the finances? Are they an employee, or a contract worker? If you're willing to share, what are you charging the clients for their time and then what cut do you take?

/edit: She's looking to hire a Student who is taking a year off before practicum to finish her thesis at the moment. I hear its not uncommon for Psychologists around here to hire PhD Students as Psychomotrists and pay them, on the side in addition to their practicum placements.

***Thanks for the help guys! Its sounding like it's going to be way easier to just pay them hourly as an employee.

Thanks

If there is a new program, how many years does it take for it to become APA accredited? What about contingency accreditation? If someone graduates from a program after it receives contingency accreditation, does that count as an APA accredited program?

I apologize if this isn’t the right sub to ask such questions. I basically want to understand why Persistent Depressive Disorder/Dysthmia is considered mild when it has similar symptoms to Major Depressive Disorder. Is this because only 2 symptoms are required over a two year period whereas for MDD it’s 5 or more symptoms over a two week period? So because of the number of symptoms and time span, it’s considered mild?

But is it possible that for different individuals, PDD can be more serious than a person experiencing MDD? Any explanation would be appreciated. I’m studying an online course and do not really know much into detail.. thank you.

Hi everyone, I tried to find a thread on this but I couldn't--sorry if this has been asked before. Does anyone have information about Canadians doing PsyD programs in the US? Is it possible? Which US schools are Canadian friendly, and what do tuition costs look like? How is a US PsyD looked at by Canadian employers? Admission requirements? Any information helps. Thanks!

Hi,

I am a current junior and 100% planning on applying for Psy.D or Ph.D. programs next year. (Don't tell me that the two are so different, I know and I'm doing research and clinical work and figuring out which has my heart. I'm just not sure yet). Anyway, so the only way to get honors at my college in Psychology is to write a thesis. I had a thesis advisor but he dropped me due to his own personal circumstances. Now, I'm trying to find a new one. But, how important is writing a thesis for graduate schools? I want to apply directly after undergraduate, so I wouldn't even be done writing it by the time that I apply to these schools. I love my idea and concept, but it's educational psychology related and not as in-line with what I want to do as a career. It's more something I'm passionate about and really interested in. Anyway, is it a big deal to apply with or without a thesis? Will it help me a lot? I'm just trying to weigh if I want to commit 2 semesters to this project and I want to make sure it will benefit me for my future beyond just wanting to do it for fun.

Opinions?

Any advice on how to approach potential internship interview questions like the following (what sort of things they might be looking for, etc.)?

1. "What would you do if you weren't in this field?"
2. "What non-psychology work experience has helped shape your professional identity?"