Psych NPs and Therapy

[lc3]

Hi,

I was wondering if Psych NPs can conduct therapy? I guess I wondering if a Psych NP can have a private practice and work mainly in therapy, but also work in Hospitial/clinic part-time too? I know Psych NP's can't do Psychological testing, but are there any other restrictions. Would it be better for someone to get a BSN in Nursing and then a MA in psych instead?

Thanks!

[1911guy]

In most states psych NPs can do therapy in private practice.

In most states someone with only an MA in psych cannot do therapy (or anything else) in private practice. You need to go on to a doctorate in psychology to be licensed as a psychologist. At the MA level there are a few options. Very few states (maybe two or three) allow masters level psychology grads to work in therapy and other areas in private practice. Several let masters level school psychologists to be licensed as school psychologists for private practice. However, most require additional schooling (60cr as opposed to the 36-48cr in most MA programs) and a year of post-MA supervised experience then you can get licensed as a counselor or marriage and familly therapist in order to work in private practice.

If you are already a nurse and want the fastest route to being a therapist in private practice becoming a psych NP is probably the best way to go. If you aren't already an RN, then you may want to consider psych or counseling. 60 credits can be done in two years if you aren't working and /or take summer school (or if you like insane semesters). With the counseling or MFT credential most states allow at least some testing as well as therapy. But, becoming a psych NP is another way to the same ends (minus the testing) and if you are an RN it will probably be the more sensible route, unless you want to go on to become a psychologist (in which case it can still be helpful, just not as good as psych or counseling).