the reality of transitioning from social work to psychology phd 📝 | my experience

back again this week (third week in a row, let's gooooo) answering a topic / question that's come up a few times! a lot of you know i've been a social worker and now I am in this new journey! hope you find the video interesting, sending lots of love and light your way :)

xo, Yeonni

🌱about me:
I am a korean-american psychology phd student living in nyc! I love spending time with my cats, drinking iced dirty chais & reading and people watching in the park :)

🌱faq:
- my education: bachelors degree in psychology and masters degree in social work
- my ethnicity: korean (born in korea, moved to the states when I was six years old)
- why psychdarling: "psych" for psychology which I love, and "darling" to represent my commitment to live with compassion and purpose at the forefront of my professional and personal pursuits

[ItsAJourney]

It's an interesting topic. Let's face it. A lot of people think psychology has higher status is more recognized, at least in some circles. I followed the same path as this lady, psychology to social work and then crossroads from there. I used to think clinical psychology was the better way to go, because of status and insurance. But over the years I came to realize that there is just no substitute for competence, passion, and frankly marketing. Once you have good business skills, you're on another level anyway. I'd say follow your bliss on this decision.

[wt]

I love these videos contrasting social work and psychology! I always think about what it would be like if I pursued social work or counselling psychology as a career instead of the career I chose, but there’s no better way to know what it’s actually like than hearing someone who actually experienced the career. Thank you for your videos! Keep up the good work!❤

[sacharymateo]

I think somehow the same as you, I'm a clinical psycho student here in my country and I'm also doing a social work bachelor at the same time, and it has opened my eyes to see the importance of both and how having knowledge of both of them will help me do a better job later

[VeronicaMxoxo]

I love these sorts of videos as someone currently in social work with interest in furthering my education in psychology in the future. Keep them coming! :)

[pinkpickledcauliflower]

I'm so grateful I came across your channel during this journey because I happen to be going through something similar (I just finished my first year of a PhD program after working for a couple of years with my masters in a related topic). I also have struggled to reconcile how much I need to learn and make up for my different background while not succumbing to imposter syndrome and feeling like I am regressing. I had a bit of a rougher transition with my mental health (and keeping up with licensure in my initial field), but certainly (as I can appreciate from your video) it is a great opportunity and approaching learning and reflection with humility and gratitude is a great approach.

[quanbronx]

I’m so happy to have come across your channel. I am contemplating getting my phd in psychology and have not had any success with finding others. Thank you for this insight please continue with these videos, they’re so supportive.

[jayhawkgirl]

I thank you for this information. You have saved me so much money and time. I truly appreciate it ❤

[niadavis]

Exactly the video I was looking for! Thank you!!!! I wanted to get a social work masters degree but then I also wanted to get a PhD in counseling-psychology. I was trying to see if it was possible

[alfonzo]

Thank you so much for this info. I am on the same track. I am 75% through my msw to have a crisis and realize I wanted the clinical psych path

[tamannnaa_nehadhami]

I want to same I have my masters in social work and I am also in counseling psychology and want to pursue PhD on this department.

[JimB]

Such an interesting topic. Unfortunately there is too much tension between the two professions...

[chloisimone]

Thank you so much for this 🙏. This is almost the exact track I am on and I had been feeling disheartened because I felt there wasn't a space or path for me. I haven't heard anyone speak on this specifically so thank you thank you. I would love to hear more about this! 💜

[jewelmiller]

I am currently getting my masters of social work at University of Michigan and I know I want to get my PhD right after but I can’t decide between psychology or social work. Thank you so much for your videos because I’m always so hesitant about literally every aspect of my life 😂

[one_punch-pham]

Hey, curious why you didn't choose to pursue the PhD for Social Work? (I don't think it was mentioned). I assume you have more options for your career later on with the PhD in psych, was the job market what influenced your decision (apart from combining the disciplines)?

[sushipurse]

I am close to finishing my accelerated masters degree in social work and I also am interested in joining a PsyD program

[kiraaranow]

How did you get the research experience to apply to the phd program? My MSW never required any research to complete and I feel at a disadvantage to other people who already have master's degrees.

[ubepurrin]

thanks for this vid! im kinda torn between clinical social work and clinical/counseling psych :-<

[kimberlycoleman]

Are you keeping up with your licensure as a social worker even though you’re getting your psychology phd?

[pinkcloud]

i'm kind of in a similar boat as you were! i wanted a phd after undergrad but i wanted real life experience first. now i've just graduated with my masters in counseling (school counseling and mft) and i'm an amft gathering hours for mft licensure. except i really miss the research i would do in undergrad since my masters program was way more applied. i do like being a therapist/counselor but i don't know if i can do it forever, although that could just be post grad burnout speaking lol. i'm thinking of helping out with research on the side somehow and eventually pursuing a phd once i have a better idea of what i want to research/focus on. i have a feeling it won't be a phd in mft or school related counseling tho lolol... however i am actually super interested in the crossroads between child development, mental health, trauma, and education, so we'll see where that leads me 😂

[michaelrollerson]

How long is your program then if your going through the basic track