Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by George Sachs, PsyD. George Sachs is a Licensed Psychologist and the Owner of Sachs Center based in New York, New York. With over ten years of experience, Dr. Sachs specializes in treating ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in children, teens, and adults. He holds a BS in Psychology from Emory University. Dr. Sachs earned his Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago. He completed his clinical training in Chicago at Cook County Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and the Child Study Center. Dr. Sachs completed his internship and postdoctoral work at the Children’s Institute in Los Angeles, where he supervised and trained therapists in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT). He has been trained as a Gestalt Therapist and certified by the Gestalt Associates Training Program of Los Angeles. Dr. Sachs is the author of The Adult ADD Solution, Helping the Traumatized Child, and Helping Your Husband with Adult ADD. He has appeared on the Huffington Post, NBC Nightly News, CBS, and WPIX discussing his holistic approach to ADD/ADHD treatment.
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If you’re looking for a rewarding career where you can really help people, make a difference, and earn a pretty penny while you’re at it, being a clinical psychologist may be the one for you! Clinical psychologists work directly with their clients to help treat and manage any psychological symptoms they’re dealing with. In Canada, it’s a very in-demand and well-paying job, and while it can take a lot of time and money to become a clinical psychologist, it can be really worth it. To help you get a clearer picture, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions that people have about what it takes to become one.
Steps
What qualifications do I need to be a psychologist in Canada?
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1You need to have a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology. Your first step to become a psychologist in Canada is to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology from a university. Then, obtain a master’s degree such as a Master of Arts (M.A.) or a Master of Science (M.S.) which will prepare you for entry into a doctoral program. At the doctoral level, you can earn a Ph.D. in clinical or experimental psychology, or a Psy.D., both of which will prepare you for professional practice as a clinical psychologist.[1]- Most provinces in Canada require you to have a doctoral degree in order to be a licensed clinical psychologist, but some may allow you to work as a psychologist with just a master’s degree, such as Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Newfoundland.
- Some bachelor’s degree programs may allow you to go straight into a Ph.D. program without having to earn a master’s degree. Check out the school’s website to see if they have a program that allows you to do it.
2You’ll need to spend at least a year as an intern. In order to learn how to practice as a clinical psychologist and treat patients, you need to learn from an experienced person. After you earn your doctoral degree, you can apply for an internship or supervised practice where you’ll work alongside a licensed psychologist and learn the ins and outs of being a psychologist. Most provinces in Canada require at least a year of supervised practice in order to be certified to practice as a clinical psychologist.[2]Advertisement
3You need to register as a psychologist with your local province. Every province in Canada has slightly different requirements. Generally, you’ll need your doctoral degree, experience as an intern working under a licensed psychologist for at least a year, and you may need to take an exam in order to be certified and registered to legally practice in the province. Check out the medical board’s website for the province where you plan to practice to see what their requirements are so you can prepare for them.[3]- For instance, in Ontario, you’ll need to pass exams that cover professional practices and ethics in order to be certified.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- If you know any clinical psychologists, try reaching out to them about their journey. They may give you some helpful tips and info as you’re getting started pursuing a career in the field.Thanks
Warnings
- You can take on a lot of debt pursuing a degree in clinical psychology. Make sure you understand the terms of any loans that you take out!Thanks
References
- ↑ https://cpa.ca/students/career/becomingapsychologist/
- ↑ https://psychology-canada.ca/how-to-become-a-psychologist-in-ontario/
- ↑ https://psychology-canada.ca/how-to-become-a-psychologist-in-ontario/
- ↑ https://cpa.ca/students/career/becomingapsychologist/
- ↑ https://collegedunia.com/canada/article/masters-in-psychology-in-canada
- ↑ https://cpa.ca/accreditation/cpaaccreditedprograms/#clinical
- ↑ https://www.psychology.org/careers/clinical-psychologist/
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2011/11/private-practice
- ↑ https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=clinical+psychologist
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