Aspiring Clinical/Child Psychologist in the Middle East: Your Journey Begins!

Ans: Hello,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear that your daughter is currently pursuing her post-graduation in clinical psychology from India after which she intends practicing the same in either Australia, the USA or the UK. As an answer to your query, I would like to tell you that your daughter will need to adhere to specific educational and licensing standards unique to each of these countries viz., the USA, Australia, or the UK in order to practice there. A broad outline of what she may be required to do is as mentioned below:

Firstly, as part of academic prerequisites, she will need to obtain a postgraduate degree in clinical psychology. This usually entails earning a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD). A dissertation as well as coursework and supervised clinical experience are frequently included in these programs. Next, post the completion of her studies, in order to practice as a clinical psychologist in the country of her choosing, your daughter will probably need to acquire a license or certification. For the same, she will need to pass licensing tests and meet other prerequisites, viz., supervised clinical experience or a set number of practice hours. It is important to remember that based on the country she is applying to, international candidates may be required to fulfill additional criteria viz., completing further coursework or tests to prove one’s knowledge of the local laws, morals, and professional standards. In addition to the above, your daughter may be required to appear for standardized tests viz., the IELTS or TOEFL in order to prove her fluency in the English language, if English is not her native language. Lastly, in order for your daughter to practice as a psychologist in her preferred country, she will need to make sure she possesses the appropriate work authorization and immigration status. For the same, she will need to acquire a work permit or visa.

Considering the differences in criteria among all these countries, I would recommend that your daughter conducts an all-round study on the particular requirements for the nations she is considering as well as gets in touch with professional organizations or regulatory agencies for guidance in those nations.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: Hello Ritesh. Thank you for connecting with us. It is understandable that you are concerned about your daughter’s future early on. Let me tell you that pursuing a degree in Psychology and a PG in clinical psychology is a viable option. After her master’s degree or as an alternate to a master’s degree, she can consider pursuing specialised courses in cognitive-behavioural therapy, family therapy, or other areas of interest within clinical psychology. Also, there are certificate programmes in areas like cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, etc. that can significantly enhance her career prospects. Coming to the job, let me tell you that we do not deal with job assistance yet. But surely we can guide her regarding a bachelor’s or a master’s programme for overseas education. Do let us know in which country your daughter would like to pursue her education. Our expert team will get in touch with you shortly to give the best guidance to your daughter.

For any further queries, please get in touch with us. We have a team of expert counsellors who can guide you through any concerns or questions you may have.