Seeking upskilling opportunities for daughter's MA in Clinical Psychology: India vs. Abroad

Ans: Counselling as a career has not yet picked up in India. While it is emerging - it is yet to be more mainstream. Ideally with her background - she should try to work in the UK to get some experience for 3-5 years. And then in parallel look for a corporate role in India (vs medical role) - in HR / Human Psychology / Org Behaviour. If she wants to be in clinical area - then she should build a list of strong Counselors in India (Vellore / Chennai / BLR) and try to get her to practice under them so that later in life she can build her own practice.

Ans: Hello MANOJ,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to hear that your daughter is pursuing the final year of her Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Clinical Psychology and thereafter, wishes to pursue higher studies overseas. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that a number of variables viz., your daughter’s interests, the budget, the preferred field of psychology she intends specializing in, and her professional objectives, play a key role in deciding on a country to pursue higher studies and a career in clinical psychology. Concerning your question, I would recommend that she considers the following:

The USA is home to prestigious universities that offer outstanding clinical psychology programs. Nevertheless, costs can be high, including living expenses, tuition fees, and healthcare. Although assistantships and scholarships are available, they are highly competitive. You would be glad to know that the job prospects in the USA is enormous with opportunities in research, diverse healthcare environments, academia, as well as patient care. Next, coming to Canada, the country’s top-notch instruction and multicultural setting is well-regarded. Remember, in comparison to the USA, expenditures may be comparatively lower. However, it still calls for proper financial planning. Offering possibilities in academia, research, and practice, clinical psychology is a legally regulated profession in Canada. Universities in the UK offer exceptional programs in psychology. I would like to tell you that based on the location and the university opted for, costs may differ. Possibilities for research, teaching, and clinical practice, are offered by the country. Nevertheless, bear in mind that post-Brexit visa rules could have an impact on overseas students. Noteworthy programs in psychology are offered by universities in Australia. Remember that although expenditures can range from low to high, scholarships are available. Offering possibilities in research, clinical practice, and other mental health services, in Australia, clinical psychology is a legally regulated profession. Coming to Netherlands, the country is renowned for its advanced approaches to psychology and mental healthcare. Programs in the Netherlands are often taught in English, and tuition fees for overseas students are relatively cheaper. The employment opportunities include research, clinical practice, and policy development.

Prior to deciding on a country, I would suggest that your daughter conducts an extensive study on the visa prerequisites, demand in the labor market, licensing procedures for practicing psychologists, as well as the cultural aspects pertaining to each country. Not just that, she should also acquire counsel from professional advisors or educational counselors, as well as get in touch with experts in the field of her choosing.

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Ans: Don't worry about campus placement. Even though your daughter wasn't selected through the campus, there are still opportunities available, but she may need to relocate. I would advise her to prepare a strong resume before applying to any organizations. Encourage her to seek a job related to her core skills. It's important for her to gain exposure in her field so she can access better opportunities in near future.