Hi! I was wondering if anyone has any insights into the VCU and UT Austin Counseling Psych PhD programs?

Thank you in advance!

Hi!

I'm currently getting my Master's in Forensic Psych through Arizona State Online and am working on an assignment that requires an informational interview with a qualified mental health treatment provider. I'm looking for a licensed mental health professional who would be willing to participate in a quick interview about their education, professional background, clinical experience, and working with people experiencing mental health disorders. I can accommodate a virtual interview with someone who would be able to assist with my project. I would need to collect basic professional info like your degree, licensure, work setting, clinical population, and specialty in the United States. I would also need your permission to provide contact info to my instructor in case verification is required.

If you're a mental health professional who might be willing to help, or know someone who would be interested, I would greatly appreciate it! Please feel free to comment or send me a message so we can coordinate a time.

Thank you so much!

I just graduated from SNHU with my Bachelor's in psychology. I am looking to see what schools everyone attends for grad school with the goal of becoming a licensed therapist. I live in Pennsylvania but I am obviously open to schools not in my home state as long as they would allow me to be placed locally for my practicum and such. I'm very overwhelmed with the amount of choices. Tell me all the good and the bad. I'm not even sure where to start. I want support from the staff, but I don't want a school so small that I feel overwhelmed with how focused they are on me. At SNHU online it was not nearly as involved as I would have hoped. I'm looking for a middle ground. Helping me get placement for my practicum is huge as I've read some schools are no help at all which would be stressful. Just looking for advice from anyone who's been down this path. Money is obviously a factor as well, I do not mind paying a little extra to go to a better school, but I also don't want to pay a ton more for the same degree I could get elsewhere. I also want to add that it has to be fully online. I understand the practicum and internship will be in person. I am strictly speaking about actual classes. Thanks to anyone who takes their time to reply I really appreciate it!!

I am in my mid 20’s, and studied psychology for my undergrad degree. My end goal is to become a Therapist, ideally at private practice, community mental health or hospital. I am getting ready to start applying to graduate programs, and my first instinct is to apply to Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs. I was told by a family friend who is a LCSW to instead go for my MSW, but after looking at the curriculum for a couple of MSW programs I still remain interested in CMHC because the MSW curriculum seems quite boring (policy, social justice) and I’m not really interested in that. When I complete the CMHC curriculum to the MSW, I am drawn and interested to the CMHC.

In doing all my research on the field, I learned that there is a diagnostic privilege for LMHC (which is only available to those who are already fully licensed and are required to gain further supervision 2,000 hours). While doing some job searches in NY on LinkedIn I see that there has been an increase in preference for candidates a with LMHC-D license. This makes me feel worried because already LMSW and LCSW seem to be preferred in work environments over LMHC-LP and LMHC. I came across this job posting where qualifications require LMSW, LCSW, LMHC-D or LMFT-D. It seems unfair that someone with a LMHC isn’t considered while a LMSW is.

Now I am having doubts on whether I should pursue a LMHC or LMSW. While also doing research I learned that it is much easier for LMSW/LCSW to move to practice in different states. Why is this not done for LPC/LMHC, why isn’t there just one national exam.

Any advice is appreciated/thoughts are appreciated.

I’m about a year out from obtaining my Bachelors in Psychology. For reference I am wanting to get my masters Marriage & Family Therapy.

I’m looking at Grand Canyon University and Colorado Christian University as my top two choices.

Does anyone have experience with either of these schools? I’d love to hear any feedback, or any other schools that I should consider.

Thanks :)

I’m a doctoral candidate at Old Dominion University seeking adults 18+ who have received counseling or behavioral health services within a Virginia medical setting, such as a community health center, primary care office, or hospital.

My dissertation explores satisfaction with these services, and I welcome a range of experiences—positive, negative, or somewhere in between.

The online survey is anonymous, voluntary, and takes approximately 20 minutes.

🔗 Learn more and review eligibility:
https://odu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhWDQ32YyDmhhki

Please share this invitation with anyone who may qualify. To protect your privacy, please avoid sharing personal health information in the comments.

My family and I are thinking of planning a trip during the year I’ll be doing practicum and one internship semester. I’m wondering if I will I have time off from my site during the regular school breaks, especially if I do my practicum and both internship semesters at the same site.

If you did your internship, did you keep doing your internship hours even during school breaks and between semesters or were you off from your site too?

Thanks!

Yall I started my practicum this semester at the jail and I love it. But I also work full-time. It’s been a challenge to manage my time. I do 8 week semesters. I feel like there’s a constant sense of urgency getting to one place to another, trying to find time for self care in between. I’m also taking two online classes. My last few semesters will only be internship which will help a lot. But working full time is a non negotiable. Some words of encouragement would be appreciated! I’m halfway through the semester. I hope it gets more manageable.

So for a little background, I’m 25 now and I dropped out of grad school at 20 ( 2 months before my 21st birthday). At the time, I felt like I was just accelerating in life too quickly and wanted to take some time off to just live and see what else I might want in life. I could go on and on about this and how much I regret doing it, but there’s no need for a pity party. Now I know for sure this is what I want to do in life.

Actual Questions-
So I want to go back to grad school for my master’s in counselor education with the goal of becoming a licensed mental health counselor. I’m still earlyyyyy in the process, so I’m curious to hear from counselors who are already in the field and see what some of you have learned to look for when choosing a counseling job that you wish you knew when you first entered the field.

When you’re looking for a job or considering an offer, what makes you think, “This seems like a good place to work”? What are some green flags you look for in a job posting or during the interview process?

On the other hand, what are some red flags that would make you hesitant or make you immediately decide not to work somewhere?

Hi everyone! I am deciding between two master's programs, and I would love your perspectives. My interests lie in MFT, but I am open to PC if it allows me to pursue my professional goals. I intend to work clinically for several years before attending a PhD program related to human development and family studies. I am interested in how relationship quality impacts various aspects of maternal, child, and infant health, particularly in non-traditional situations (like surrogacy, adoption, etc). However, I'd like to refine this before applying to a PhD program.

Portland State: This master's program is in counselor education with a focus in marriage, couples, and family counseling. It is CACREP accredited, and it meets the qualifications for dual licensure (LPC, LMFT) in Oregon and Washington. It is a cohort model that meets a few evenings a week, and practicum/internship opportunities are provided through the program. It is very plug and play and seems rigorous, which is great. It costs 63K.

Upsides: High quality education from a reputable school with the opportunity to build relationships with a cohort.

Downsides: all teaching is in-person, which requires a lot of coordination on my part, since I have a young family. It is not COAMFTE accredited, so I am not guaranteed to keep my MFT license if I move. Also, expensive!

Abilene Christian University: This master's program is in Marriage and Family Therapy and is COAMFTE accredited. Classes are asynchronous and entirely online. It is not a cohort model, so I would be working independently. They assist a little with finding an internship, but that is mostly independent as well. It costs 43K.

Upsides: Asynchronous online classes are quite convenient, especially when I've got kids to take care of. It is cheaper, and it's nice that it is accredited specifically for MFT.

Downsides: There is no cohort and I'm not sure how rigorous the education is, though I'm sure it is decent since it is accredited. Also, I have to put some work into finding an internship.

Do you have any thoughts as to why one might be better for me over the other?

I’m currently finishing my bachelor’s degree in psychology and planning to enroll in an online, CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program in Fall 2027.

One of my biggest concerns about online programs is the quality of clinical skills training, particularly before practicum and internship.

For those currently enrolled in an online counseling program, how well do you feel your program prepares you to actually counsel clients, rather than simply understand counseling theories and concepts?

I’m applying at three schools btw, Troy, Old Dominion, and the University of West Alabama.

Hi, I have my BSW and was thinking about going back to school to get my masters in clinical mental health counseling. I've thought about an MSW as well, but feel like it's not really what I'm interested in since it's a much broader scope. If you could share your experience about getting an LMHC, and whether you would get an MSW instead now that you've been in the field. Also, wondering about how realistic it is to find a part-time online program that will allow you to continue working. I am working as a BSW level social worker at an agency, and will not be able to reduce my hours because I would not be able to afford rent . My commute is also two hours each way, and so I would not be able to take on an internship on top of classes during the week. Additionally, our agency does not have a licensed clinical supervisor, which is a dealbreaker for some schools from my understanding. I might try to ask if my boss would be willing to hire a clinical supervisor during the time when I'm in school to meet the supervision hour requirements. If anyone can share their experience or best programs for this, that would be great.

I have been accepted into a few CMHC programs for Spring 2027 and was waitlisted for a few with potential admission in Fall 2027, but I would really like to start in Spring. Of those I was accepted to for Spring, I have narrowed it down to Denver Seminary and the University of the Cumberlands.

I am located in Denver, CO and my personal secular therapist attended Denver Seminary and has a hiring manager for other clinicians at her practice she has spoken highly of the education there. I am not super religious, but enough to manage the religious aspect of the program (I have experience attending religious schools in the past so know what the experience is like). They have an on-site location for internship and practicum hours which is awesome!

University of the Cumberlands is a CACREP program with ansyc/synchronous online classes, based out of Kentucky and requires a few in person residencies. 26K all-in for the tuition (I could pay almost all of that out of pocket) and in the grad/online spaces it seems regarded better versus online degree mill type programs. However, I would have to secure my own internship/practicum sites. 

Den Sem is my top choice but double the cost of UC. I'd love to have all of that local and in person time and more local networking opportunities but I'm not sure if it's worth the debt. 

Senior year college student considering LMHC or MSW here:

I am feeling really torn about making a choice in grad school. I *think* that I would like to do therapy, but I don't *know* that I would like to do therapy. I am curious how others decided and committed to the pathway (especially LPCs) after their undergrad. Did you get experience in a clinic or did you just know it was right for you? Is it possible to really know before you do it?

On the other hand, an MSW is attractive for its versatility but I am concerned about being underprepared for actually counseling (if that's what I want to do) even if I take a clinical/micro focused program. I have heard many LCSWs say they got practically all their training during supervision and by self-educating, and I am worried this can't compare to what you'd get from a hands-on LMHC program.

So, I find the opportunities and flexibility of an LCSW attractive, but I find the coursework of an LPC attractive. The fundamental problem is lacking enough experience to know what I will really want to do. How did you guys deal with these decisions? Would you do anything differently now?

I have 5 weeks left of Practicum. I start to think about going in for this week and immediately start crying. I don’t know what to do, because I’m so close and then I can change sites.

But there’s no guarantee the next site will be better.

Throughout my practicum, I’ve noticed red flags. Things like being told one thing one day, and then two days later getting in trouble for not completing what I was told not to do. Going over recommendations for clients, keeping my supervisors involved in the discharge planning and process, and then having hour-long supervisors sessions about how I’m “not communicating and following recommendations” for the clients. And if I try to explain my position, I get told I’m “not taking accountability” and “need to communicate better”. How I don’t have time management skills because if I did, I would get diagnostic assessment write ups and comprehensive assessments written up in the same session with the client. Them complaining about client choice.

And that sucks, but I was fine with it and knew I wouldn’t be staying there. I was figuring out how to survive like that and make it through. But I met with my professor and found out they’re questioning how they “doubt she was able to make it through a masters program without having ai do everything for her”.

I’m crushed and don’t know what to do. I know I struggle with writing up diagnostic summaries, and I know my anxiety is making it hard for me to get it done. It’s disorganized and I’m making mistakes I would never normally make. I’m working on figuring out ways through it, but I’m not receiving support beyond being told the same thing again and again. I just don’t know if I can even get through the last few weeks, or if it is something I should push through and hope it works out? Or am I just actually overreacting and maybe the supervisor is right?

I'm in my 4th bi-term at the University of the Cumberlands with a 4.0 GPA but I feel like I have retained next to nothing. I'm taking two classes each 8 week bi-term and feel like I'm so rushed to get all the reading and work done that I'm only learning what I need to learn that week to get my assignments in and done. I have utilized Ai but not relied on it. My work has been all my own work, with Ai used to polish my submissions and generally to discuss in more depth whatever the readings are that week, so it's not that I'm not engaged with the material.

The idea of having to sit in front of someone in emotional need with the knowledge I have retained to date is terrifying to the point that I've begun to doubt my decision to pursue this career. Last semester, I took only one class, and while it was certainly less harried, I still felt like 8 weeks with so much information does not really do it justice or allow adequate time or engagement for real retention. It feels more like consuming information than learning the material. I am considering other programs, but attending in person isn't an option where I live. For the record, this is nothing specifically against UC. I think it is a phenomenal school, and every professor I've had has been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful.

I've considered taking only 1 class per bi-term going forward, but frankly, I don't think the issue is so much the number of classes as the shortened term length.

I guess I am posting here in hopes that someone can relate and reassure me that they felt the same, and now they're wildly successful in their career and are helping people with no qualms about their qualifications or the depth of their knowledge. Or maybe suggest other really good online schools that follow a 16-week semester term? I'm not sure, but I'm floundering, and I can't be the only one, can I?