To What Jobs Could a PhD in Psychology With a Concentration in Parent-Infant Mental Health Lead?

If you are interested in earning a doctorate in Psychology, you might be considering a PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Parent-Infant Mental Health. When you apply to a PhD program, you will have to select a very focused concentration that narrows down the area of study to a very small area of the discipline. Since psychology is such a huge discipline with so many different branches, it is very important that you consider where you want to work and what you want to do with your degree. Here are some of the jobs that you could land if you choose the Parent-Infant Mental Health concentration.

What is the Difference Between a PhD and a PsyD?

Before you get into your career prospects, you need to know the difference between your doctorate degree options. A PhD. in Psychology, which is known as a Doctorate in Philosophy, is a traditional post-graduate degree that most prospective graduate students are aware of. The focus of a PhD. degree program is focused on research and educating students with research. When you have graduated from a research-focused PhD. program, you will be prepared for several careers in research settings, clinical settings and educational settings.

A PsyD in Psychology, which is known more commonly as a Doctorate of Psychology, is a more practitioner focused program. Instead of teaching students through research, the PsyD program prepares students to work in applied settings where they will use the theory and skills they attained to work directly with patients. PsyD graduates are still qualified to do research but are more likely to be practitioners.

What is the Parent-Infant Mental Health PhD. Concentration?

Now that you have confirmed that the Doctorate of Philosophy is the better post-grad option for you, it is time to delve into all of the concentrations that you can choose from. As someone who holds a graduate degree majoring in Psychology, you have already worked in some type of setting in the field and have an idea of which settings you could see yourself working in long term.

Featured Programs

The Parent-Infant Mental Health Postgraduate Fellowship programs that are delivered at universities have a goal to help improve the quality of mental health services provided to children and infants through the earliest relationships that they have. The program will prepare students about theory in early childhood mental health and how to assess and intervene when necessary. Here are some of the outcomes:

Learn neurodevelopment models of risk and how brain injury can affect development
Learn methods of intervention that can work with infants and families
Learn the screening and assessment tools that can be used to assess child-parent interactions
Gain research skills to diagnose and treat infant and early childhood disorders
How to support parents with postpartum disorders

What Are Your Career Prospects Following Your Graduation?

When you complete your coursework and your fellowship you will be ready to pursue some new career prospects. Most graduates will end up working in a clinical setting where they will interpret and utilize the most current research that has been published. PhD. graduates can work with government agencies, in the justice system or in their own private practices as specialists in parent-infant mental health.

Concluding Thoughts

If you were to look at all of the PhD. concentrations that are available in Psychology, you might be surprised at how large the list is. Compare all of the accredited post-graduate programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. After doing this, you can decide if a PhD in Psychology With a Concentration in Parent-Infant Mental Health will help you pursue the careers you want to.

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