Next options for Counseling psychology / social work career in USA?

Jan 15 11 Comments

Hi all,

My spouse has a MS in psychology degree from India. She's currently a counseling psychologist practitioner in India with multiple clients.

We're worried about the timezone issues once she moves here to the states. Her clients may not be able to accommodate the USA time shifts for sessions.

We're figuring out the best options available for her to start her practice in USA ASAP. I see that she'll have to clear a federal exam and state based exams.

In CA state, she'll have to do an internship for 3000 hrs or so (2.5 times more than any other states on avg.)

I would highly appreciate if you can answer/suggest for the following:

1. Is there a way to transfer her credits from ms degree from India and attend the exams directly?
2. What are the states which have less internship hours to start practice and relatively easy exams?
3. In case of pursuing an MS degree again in USA, which schools/universities will cost us less money and help her start practice quicker?
4. Would highly appreciate any other recommendations and sharing personal experiences as it's tough to find people with similar experiences.

Thank you

#counsellingpsychology #career #socialwork #psychology

Tc - 130k
YoE - 4

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TOP 11 Comments
  • Amazon
    Pied_pippr

    Go to company page Amazon

    Pied_pippr
    I have a friend who's a clinical psychologist. Unless your wife has gc, she won't be able to set up her private practice. I'm not aware of the exact details, but my friend pursued courses after coming to the US despite a masters in India, and wrote her clinical licensing exams. Till gc, she has to work for an employer who'd sponsor her. There are centers, which hire therapists on h1b, which aren't that many though.
    Jan 15 5
    • Amazon
      Pied_pippr

      Go to company page Amazon

      Pied_pippr
      Not sure. Afaik employers need to e-register with uscis for hiring folks on f-1 and h1b.

      I've never asked her abt pay. Quick check on glassdoor says $55k but pretty sure it's more than that. Plus she's in between switching jobs, so she had offers with 40-50% pay bump.

      I also have hired a therapist to help with personal issues. She's american and has her practice. Therapists in Washington state earn anywhere between $120-250/hr depending upon licensure and experience. So you look for big orgs that hire therapists to manage their private client portfolio.
      Jan 16
    • Thanks for the info. Will check that out as well.
      Jan 16
  • Good luck. My sister was a fully qualified psychologist in Australia and she gave up on doing therapy in the US. Just the cost, and time it would take for her to be able to practice wasn't worth it. She got into recruiting instead.
    Jan 15 4