Which Path Is Right for Me? A Quiz for Aspiring Therapists and Counselors

Which Path Is Right for Me? A Quiz for Aspiring Therapists and Counselors
Category: Career Planning
Format: Interactive Quiz
Audience: Prospective Students & Career Changers

If you have been researching careers in clinical mental health, you have probably noticed that there are many different degree programs and licensure pathways, and that the differences among them are not always obvious. This quiz is designed to help you think through which path might be the best fit for you, based on your interests, goals, and circumstances.

The quiz has 10 questions organized into three blocks: your career goals, who you want to work with, and practical considerations. At the end, you will receive a primary recommendation and a secondary recommendation, along with an explanation of why each one may be a good fit. These results are meant as a starting point for further research, not a definitive answer.

An important caveat before you begin: this quiz is the product of secondary research and it has not been statistically validated. Engagement with this quiz does not constitute a counseling relationship with the quiz designer and the results of this quiz should not be considered a substitute for professional career counseling or advising. Think of your results as one input among many, alongside conversations with advisors, informational interviews with working clinicians, and your own ongoing reflection.

Before you begin, here is a quick reference for the credential abbreviations used in your results:

Credential Glossary
PhDDoctor of Philosophy in Clinical or Counseling Psychology
PsyDDoctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
CMHC / LPC / LPCCMaster's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; leads to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or LPCC depending on your state
MFT / LMFTMaster's in Marriage and Family Therapy; leads to Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
MSW / LCSWMaster of Social Work, clinical track; leads to Licensed Clinical Social Worker
CSAC / CADCCertified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) — equivalent designations used in different states, both recognized by the IC&RC
Your progress
0 of 10 answered
Block 1
Your Career Goals
How do you feel about conducting and publishing original research?
Are you interested in teaching at a university or training future therapists?
How important is formal psychological assessment and diagnosis to the career that you imagine pursuing?
Administering and interpreting standardized psychological tests (e.g. IQ testing, neuropsychological assessment, personality assessment) is within the scope of licensed psychologists but generally outside the scope of master's-level clinicians.
What level of case acuity do you want to work with?
Doctoral programs tend to provide more training in severe psychopathology and high-acuity settings. Master's-level programs prepare clinicians well for a general outpatient population.
Block 2
Who You Want to Work With
Who do you most want to work with?
Are you interested in working with addiction specifically?
What kind of work environment appeals to you most?
How important is social justice and advocacy work to you?
Block 3
Practical Considerations
How much time are you willing to invest in training?
Master's programs typically take 2 to 3 years. The PsyD typically takes 5 to 6 years. The PhD typically takes 6 to 8 years. All require additional post-degree supervised hours before licensure.
How do you feel about the financial cost of your training?
PhD programs are often fully funded through research or teaching assistantships. PsyD and master's programs typically are not, and can involve significant tuition costs.
Please answer all 10 questions to see your results.
Your Results
Based on your answers, here are the pathways that may be the strongest fit for you. These are suggestions to guide your research — not definitive prescriptions. Every person's situation is unique, and the best next step is to explore these options further.
All pathway scores
Explore further

Each post below goes deeper on one aspect of choosing a pathway.

→
Comparing Degree Programs and Licensure Pathways
An interactive table comparing coursework requirements across all five degree paths and five licensure tracks.
→
So You Want to Become a Therapist
An introductory guide with practical suggestions for exploring careers in clinical mental health.
A note on this quiz: This quiz is the product of secondary research and it has not been statistically validated. Engagement with this quiz does not constitute a counseling relationship with the quiz designer and the results of this quiz should not be considered a substitute for professional career counseling or advising. For personalized guidance, consider speaking with an academic advisor, a licensed clinician working in a field that interests you, or a professional career counselor with experience in the mental health sector. The author of this blog provides career counseling and would be happy to connect with you.

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