Hopefully by this point you've gotten the sense that there are many ways to enter a career where you want to help people via psychotherapy.
The real differences are the amount of training you wish to undertake and what you want to focus on during your training.
For years, one could have argued that a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology was the highest level of training one could attain in psychology. However, as trainees are starting to enter graduate school with more clear career goals, that is slowly changing.
I do think there is a consensus that if you want to have a career focused on research, teaching, and academics, then PhD training is the path that offers more opportunities. One could consider it the "inclusive" path. In other words, a PhD in psychology allows one to enter clinical practice, but also provides the training to develop research plans, conduct experiments, and analyze data sets.
A PhD in psychology can take 4-8 years to complete. In California, the licensing requirements are the same as those with PsyD.
In California, to become a licensed psychologist who can see patients, one must:
Complete a qualifying doctoral degree in psychology
Register as a psychologist in California, to gain access to supervision hours
Complete 3000 hours of supervision, at least 1500 of which are earned post-doctorally
Pass The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
Complete both a Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history background check
Pass the California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination
Obtain a California license to practice psychology
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