Is this a realistic goal? (Clinical Psychologist)

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I am thinking of returning to University to study psychology with the goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Do you think this is realistic to achieve for someone on the spectrum? Do you feel someone on the spectrum would have more of a challenge to achieve this than someone not on the spectrum?

I really want to specialise in helping people with autism who also have mental health problems. I feel this is an area that needs much more research. My own personal experience has been that many people working in the mental health field do not know how to deal with or treat the mental health problems of those who have autism . For example, my autism makes therapy very difficult for me and my therapists never seem to know how to adapt sessions to allow me to communicate properly. I feel that my own experiences could help me to make a difference to this area of psychology.

Any thoughts on this? I would especially be interested to hear from any clinical psychologists who also happen to have autism! Or anyone working in a similar field etc. Or anyone who just has an opinion on this either way.

Last edited by Moonranch on 30 Sep 2014, 12:42 pm, edited 3 times in total.

I am slightly perplexed as to why you would ask....to state the obvious, most certainly yes. High-functioning autistic (Aspergers) individuals can and do have successful careers. We are scientists, lawyers, medical doctors, IT specialists, priests, etc. etc. etc. And psychologists. (Incidentally, look at my profile).

A psychologist with AS can have an impartiality, an objectivity, that their neurotypical peers might not.

Do you mean those with 'classical autism'? Then that might be a different story, so I am not sure what you're asking.

My question is - why do you think you could *not*? If you are intelligent and articulate, and you have a passion for it, go for it. There are definitely not enough medical professionals who understand ASD.

Apologies, I phrased it wrong. I know people on the spectrum could be psychologists, etc. I'm just worried it isn't entirely realistic because of my lack of social skills etc and problems reading people. I have now rephrased the title and initial message.

Oh, and yes, you could make a good psychologist. An important quality for any psychologist is to have a detached objectivity, to be able to regard any given client(s) without being clouded by 'feelings.' I think it's interesting in that there are some AS religious leaders - similarly, they can give good objective advice because they weigh all factors logically, using their innate traits to do their job.

We certainly need more psychologists that specialise in autism who actually understand the condition. I would say you qualify. Go for it.

We desperately need this.

I don't know you or enough about the profession to give an answer.

I don't see why not, and hope you go for it. Obviously we don't know each other, so I don't know what you're unsure about or what you have difficulties with, but you never know, you might be really good at it.

I would really like to be a psychologist, but I don't think I'd ever be able to. I probably have more chance of becoming a famous musician or something (i.e. pretty much no chance).

I always wanted to be a clinical psychologist and I am just finishing up my bachelor degree in psychology. However, my dream of being a clinical psychologist appears to be over, due to the ridiculous standards of graduate school. Most graduate schools in Canada recruit 4 applicants out of ~100. These applicants that get in usually have a lot of related work experience, volunteer experience, an 80+ average, and must have a 4 year honour's degree in psychology rather than a regular bachelor of psychology degree.

Of course this is only Canada and I don't know anything about the UK, but you absolutely need to look into this before going into psychology. I wish someone would have told me how hard and competitive it is to get into a clinical psychology program before I went to University, so now I am hoping I can help someone else out. If you do your research before going to University and think you will be able to meet the qualifications than absolutely go for it. If you think that you won't be able to meet the qualifications then I would recommend doing something else.

Thank you for the responses.

That's good advice. I have been researching it. Seems we have similar standards here in the UK but that doesn't put me off and I'm lucky that I already have 2+ years relevant voluntary work. I'm not afraid of working hard to achieve my goal but I am definitely scared of the competitiveness of the field. The idea of having to network to make contacts is particularly terrifying for me and I'm not sure how I'll handle that aspect of the process. But my plan is to do a graduate certificate in psychology first. Then if I enjoy that and think this area of study is for me, I will do a Masters conversion course in Psychology (I already have a bachelor's degree but it isn't in psychology).

I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to get some work experience with a psychologist? Would it be strange to approach the clinical psychologist who carried out my autism assessment and ask if I can do work experience with him? He's the only clinical psychologist I know!

I just wanted to offer my support, Moonranch: As a psychologist, you would have 'insider information' about AS that your peers would not have, so you'd have a real advantage. The UK National Autistic Society (NAS) may be able to guide you as they have brilliant programmes - maybe the NAS could you have ideas?

Next, there is a sleepy Wrong Planet forum where you might post - it's kind-of inactive though. http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt200144.html

jn88, I hear you. While my situation is a bit different from yours, I'd been vigorously and extensively applying for a post-doc position in Canada.......geez. There are simply no funded research positions available. The problem I encountered was that I'm not Canadian and came alone as an 'outsider.' As I understand, and have been told, Canadian research grants are really scarce at this time. Without pretense, maybe you could inquire within the USA where there is funding? All the best to you both.

Do not be discouraged (I'm taking this advice myself just now).....tenacity is most of the battle. Ayn Rand wrote, "The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." In fact, I'll use that for signature now!