How to Get Into Psychology ?

by Ranken Jordan

Question by please help!: How to get into psychology ?
I’m really interested in getting into psychology. Specifically a physiatrist that prescribes medicine. I’m an average b-a student. How can, and what are the steps, into making this possible?

Best answer:

Answer by T K5
A physiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) who is board-certified in physiatry (also known as “physical medicine and rehabilitation“). This is an entirely different field from psychiatry or psychology.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) who is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology.

A Ph.D.-level licensed clinical psychologist may be authorized to perform psychological testing (with training and expertise), and offer talk therapies but usually may not prescribed medications–even “psych meds”. The exceptions, which are rare, is when the Ph.D.-level licensed clinical psychologist is ALSO a licensed psychiatrist (M.D. or D.O.)–or is ALSO an M.D. or D.O. in another specialty (e.g. family practice, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, ob-gyn, neurology) AND has the knowledge and experience and training to legally and ethically evaluate patients and prescribe such medications.

Additionally, there are other medical doctors in other specialities who can evaluate, diagnosis and prescribe psychiatric medications (even without consultation or evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. For instance, M.D.’s or D.O.’s in another specialty, or even nurse practictioners (NP’s) or physician assistants (PA’s) with appropriate knowlege and training may prescribe psychiatric medications. Examples would include doctors certified in fields such as: family practice, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, ob-gyn, and neurology.

The other exception is when the Ph.D.-level licensed clinical psychologist also is a licensed N.P. (nurse practictioner) or P.A. (physician assistant) and has such knowledged, experience and training.
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To become a psychiatrist, you would first have to consider the intense competitive requirements of applying to med schools. You would start with an undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree). Any major is fine (since “pre-med” is not a major), but they like a diversity of classes, so a degree unrelated to science would be very good, too. However, in case you don’t make it, consider viable options that you would pursue alternatively. If you wish to become a D.O. (doctor of osteopathic medicine), there are 15 competitive medical schools from which to choose, but this route is rare, and very competitive. Realistically, you would have to have a diverse academic background, in addition to a strong performance in the pre-med classes (biology, chemistry–especially upper division organic chemistry, physics!!!, calculus, statistics, even computer science, psychology), as well as other background classes, incl. arts and humanities, philosophy, a foreign language. Lots of volunteer experience, especially in hospitals, with patients if possible, play an active role, get good, strong diverse background, take active roles, especially LEADERSHIP roles, showing great communication skills—you will want to be memorable in an EXEMPLARY way—detailed, extensive, Outstanding letters of recommendation from UPPER DIVISION college professors; become a tutor, TA, long-term opportunities, committees, fellowships! And keep that GPA up as well! As regards to psychiatry, a solid outstanding academic record–all THROUGHOUT MED SCHOOL and a STRONG ETHICAL BACKGROUND with recommendations from med school instructors!
Some psychiatrists (M.D.’s or D.O.’s) do more than just prescribe meds and read blood tests; some actually provide counseling/talk therapy as well, as some actually perform psychological testing as well (rather than just making referrals and interpreting results. Some also go to law schools as well. Some work in clinics; others have private practice; others work with psychologists in a private setting; others are forensic; others go to law school afterwords.

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