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Work opportunites for clinical psychologist abroad?

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What are the opportunities like for clinical psychologists to practice in other countries? Let's say you got your PhD in
America and then you want to work in some other countries like Italy, Spain, France, Mexico, India or South America.
Is it possible to find situations like that? Does anyone have any experience working abroad as a clinical psychologist?

shiva1008, May 2, 2010 #1

shiva1008
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Would like to hear thoughts about this as well. I considered getting my PhD abroad, but this being a clinical degree, I
wanted my base to be the States and didn't want to risk training equivalency issues come licensing time.

VeggieDelight, May 2, 2010 #2

VeggieDelight
2+ Year Member

106 0
Jan 25, 2010

VeggieDelight said:

Would like to hear thoughts about this as well. I considered getting my PhD abroad, but this being a clinical degree, I wanted my
base to be the States and didn't want to risk training equivalency issues come licensing time.

This is definitely a consideration. Going USA-->Abroad appears to be easier than the other way around.
Therapist4Chnge
Neuropsych Ninja Therapist4Chnge, May 2, 2010 #3
Faculty

Moderator Emeritus

10+ Year Member

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21,110 2,000

Oct 6, 2006
The Beach
Faculty

Similarly, are there any opportunities for psychologists in training to "study abroad"? I wish I had gotten to do this in
undergrad, and think it would be great to get to do it in my Ph.D. program. I figured it would be more likely towards
the end of the program when I'm mostly receiving clinical training and/or doing my dissertation. I have considered
going for a semester or year after my internship, but wouldn't want to turn down a potential job offer. Does anyone
have any experience regarding a situation like this?

PhDToBe, May 2, 2010 #4

PhDToBe
7+ Year Member

383 87

Nov 15, 2009

PhDToBe said:

Similarly, are there any opportunities for psychologists in training to "study abroad"? I wish I had gotten to do this in undergrad, and
think it would be great to get to do it in my Ph.D. program. I figured it would be more likely towards the end of the program when I'm
mostly receiving clinical training and/or doing my dissertation. I have considered going for a semester or year after my internship, but
wouldn't want to turn down a potential job offer. Does anyone have any experience regarding a situation like this?

olychick65
2+ Year Member One of the people in the program I'm going into received research grant funding that allowed her to do two years of
research, one in Asia and one in South America. It didn't count as a part of the program, but the grants were
extremely prestigious (IMHO) and she could use the data for her dissertation or other pubs. I'm sure that having a
76 0
supportive program/faculty mentor is important to being able to going after this kind of thing though- it was two years
Feb 23, 2010
she basically "took off".

olychick65, May 2, 2010 #5

:cry:

Last edited: Jul 8, 2010

rmbsstock rmbsstock, May 2, 2010 #6

369 0
Nov 4, 2009

Yeshiva's Clinical Health program has an abroad experience in India where students can collect dissertation data (I
think only students in one of the labs have gone but it's open to anyone in the program). I was told they're also
starting up something in Israel.

olychick65 said:
VeggieDelight
2+ Year Member I'm sure that having a supportive program/faculty mentor is important to being able to going after this kind of thing though- it was two
years she basically "took off".

106 0
That's awesome, but... 2 yrs. off from a 6+ yr. PhD? Ahhh.
Jan 25, 2010
VeggieDelight, May 2, 2010 #7

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VeggieDelight said:

That's awesome, but... 2 yrs. off from a 6+ yr. PhD? Ahhh.

If the person is going to stick to the research side of things, the time really isn't as relevant, since delaying licensure is
a non-issue. Being able to secure funding through a competitive grant is as important as the research it supports to
Therapist4Chnge someone seeking a tenure track position.
Neuropsych Ninja
Faculty Therapist4Chnge, May 2, 2010 #8
Moderator Emeritus

10+ Year Member

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Therapist4Chnge said:

If the person is going to stick to the research side of things, the time really isn't as relevant, since delaying licensure is a non-issue.
Being able to secure funding through a competitive grant is as important as the research it supports to someone seeking a tenure track
position.

olychick65 I completely agree. For an academic route, having these kind of grants is going to look incredible to postdoc sites at
2+ Year Member universities- especially securing them predoc and collecting data abroad. It's also a great opportunity to network with
big names at universities across the world (particularly if you're bilingual).

76 0 olychick65, May 2, 2010 #9

Feb 23, 2010

I just want to go to a Spanish-speaking country to become fluent in Spanish; I am currently proficient. If I could do
some psych there that'd be awesome. I figured I could work in a prison or psych hospital, or possible work on research
there. Idk...I'm sure none of this will come to fruition.

PhDToBe, May 2, 2010 #10

PhDToBe
7+ Year Member

383 87
Nov 15, 2009

:cry:

Last edited: Jul 8, 2010

rmbsstock rmbsstock, May 2, 2010 #11

369 0
Nov 4, 2009

rmbsstock said:

I agree with that 100%. But Psychology is my field and I am talking based on MY OWN life experience. I have seen many research
studies written by American Ph.D. students about issues in other cultures that was totally BS.

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If your goal is to get the degree and please certain people, then go right ahead, but hopefully you will understand that you are doing a
disservice to other people.
Therefore, if you truly want to do the right thesis, time should never be a factor. You need to know people of other cultures and
interpret them correctly before you start putting them in categories and labels.
I do not want to sound discouraging to you, but it really hurts that you read what others wrote about several cultures and it is totally
"stupid" they sound like they are "Clueless in Seattle" Oh sorry
Clickthat is "Sleepless in Seattle"
to expand...

Therapist4Chnge
Neuropsych Ninja I'm not really sure how to respond to that, but I stand by my comments about people having different priorities as it
Faculty
relates to taking additional time to research.
Moderator Emeritus
Therapist4Chnge, May 2, 2010 #12
10+ Year Member

21,110 2,000
Oct 6, 2006
The Beach
Faculty

:cry:

Last edited: Jul 8, 2010

rmbsstock rmbsstock, May 3, 2010 #13

369 0
Nov 4, 2009

To answer the OP's question...

I am not the best person to ask in terms of opportunities for research/teaching/private practice abroad, but I do know
other countries (mostly ones that speak English as a first/second official language) that are open to hiring clin
psychologists from the US. Also, lots of opportunities exist for psychologists who is passionate about social justice - if
you are willing to work with nonprofits, then there are some who look for psychologists who can commit to at least 1-2
robinsena years at countries in Africa and Asia to work with survivors of trauma.
robinsena, May 3, 2010 #14
111 0
Jan 29, 2010

PhDToBe said:

I just want to go to a Spanish-speaking country to become fluent in Spanish; I am currently proficient. If I could do some psych there
that'd be awesome. I figured I could work in a prison or psych hospital, or possible work on research there. Idk...I'm sure none of this
will come to fruition.

IvoryTower2013
2+ Year Member I have similar interests in wanting to just gain better Spanish skills and perhaps apply them to working with Spanish
speaking individuals! A year or two ago a memo came through our department about a program in Costa Rica that is

for Psychology students and professionals where you can gain language skills while working with clinical populations.
25 0
It's called the Costarican Professional Preparation Program (www.crpreparationprogram.com). Last I checked though
Mar 15, 2010
the website wasn't working so you might need to do some digging.

I also found this program in my search: http://www.unibe.ac.cr/ccip/four_week.php

If you just want the language skills, there are plenty of programs that you can attend for as short or long as you'd like.
I did one in Spain before I started grad school. I only spent 2 months there but was near fluent by the time I got home
(after 10 years of Spanish ed too!). Perhaps a trip over the summer that wouldn't interefere too much with school
work?

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IvoryTower2013, May 3, 2010 #15

From a clinical only standpoint, do you think there would be any difference in trying to practice overseas with a PsyD
as opposed to a PhD?

InYourHead, May 3, 2010 #16

InYourHead
7+ Year Member

58 0

Apr 1, 2010

Maybe someone mentioned this, but you can use your Clinical Psych PhD to work in American military bases in other
countries. Check out usajobs.gov, from what I remember there are usually a fair amount of clinical psychologist
openings in different countries.

PorkDumplings, May 3, 2010 #17

PorkDumplings

19 0
Oct 1, 2009

InYourHead said:

From a clinical only standpoint, do you think there would be any difference in trying to practice overseas with a PsyD as opposed to a
PhD?

I'd recommend working with a company/organization state-side that can handle the credentialing aspect of things. The
Therapist4Chnge training overseas is quite different, and often the "doctorate" portion is purely research, so I don't believe there is a
Neuropsych Ninja
Faculty problem outside of the lack of familiarity of the Psy.D. in some places.

Moderator Emeritus

10+ Year Member PorkDumplings said:

Maybe someone mentioned this, but you can use your Clinical Psych PhD to work in American military bases in other countries. Check
21,110 2,000 out usajobs.gov, from what I remember there are usually a fair amount of clinical psychologist openings in different countries.
Oct 6, 2006
The Beach
Make sure to check which requires a service contract v. civilian employment. I have a number of friends in different
Faculty
branches, and I have heard excellent things about working in the military, both enlisted and civilian employment. The
work can be challenging, but overall they are a great population, particularly if you want to work with acute cases.

Therapist4Chnge, May 3, 2010 #18

IvoryTower2013 said:

I have similar interests in wanting to just gain better Spanish skills and perhaps apply them to working with Spanish speaking
individuals! A year or two ago a memo came through our department about a program in Costa Rica that is for Psychology students
and professionals where you can gain language skills while working with clinical populations. It's called the Costarican Professional
Preparation Program (www.crpreparationprogram.com). Last I checked though the website wasn't working so you might need to do
some digging.
JP West
7+ Year Member
The Costa Rica Program is no longer operating. There is a program that goes to Ecuador and I have heard positive reviews.

Click to expand...
58 1
Jul 26, 2009 JP West, May 3, 2010 #19

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IvoryTower2013 said:

I have similar interests in wanting to just gain better Spanish skills and perhaps apply them to working with Spanish speaking
individuals! A year or two ago a memo came through our department about a program in Costa Rica that is for Psychology students
and professionals where you can gain language skills while working with clinical populations. It's called the Costarican Professional
Preparation Program (www.crpreparationprogram.com). Last I checked though the website wasn't working so you might need to do
some digging.
PhDToBe
7+ Year Member
I also found this program in my search: http://www.unibe.ac.cr/ccip/four_week.php

Click to expand...
383 87
I was thinking I could go for a summer. I will look into those programs. Thanks for the info!
Nov 15, 2009
PhDToBe, May 3, 2010 #20

I know here (Australia) you can work as a Clin Psych as long as you 1. have the right to work here (a working visa)
and 2. if your training is recognised as equivalent by the Psych Board of the state you plan to work in (which requires
you sumbit your degree and accreditation details, I believe). AFAIK clin psychs from US and UK wouldn't have much
trouble working here. And I know for sure research work would also be ok - I used to work with a Canadian RO.

Generally, if you did it on your own and not through a program, I imagine you'd need to find out what proof of
Occlumentia equivalency the registration body requires in the country you wanted to work and how you could get a work visa.
7+ Year Member
Occlumentia, May 3, 2010 #21

54 3
Mar 22, 2010
Australia

robinsena said:

To answer the OP's question...

I am not the best person to ask in terms of opportunities for research/teaching/private practice abroad, but I do know other countries
(mostly ones that speak English as a first/second official language) that are open to hiring clin psychologists from the US. Also, lots of
opportunities exist for psychologists who is passionate about social justice - if you are willing to work with nonprofits, then there are
shiva1008
some who look for psychologists who can commit to at least 1-2 years at countries in Africa and Asia to work with survivors of trauma.
2+ Year Member

Thanks.
25 0

Jan 26, 2009 They all sound like good options, especially the Ecuador program. Two of my biggest long-term goals are to do a clin
washington psych PhD and to live in other cultures. It's nice to know that I wouldn't have to sacrifice one for the other. I already
spent some time in India, and from that perspective, the prestige of having the American degree would be a very
useful thing.

shiva1008, May 3, 2010 #22

shiva1008 said:

Thanks.

They all sound like good options, especially the Ecuador program. Two of my biggest long-term goals are to do a clin psych PhD and to
live in other cultures. It's nice to know that I wouldn't have to sacrifice one for the other. I already spent some time in India, and from
that perspective, the prestige of having the American degree would be a very useful thing.
Markp
Clinical Psychologist

7+ Year Member Join the Navy, see the world... That's my plan to practice around the world.

Mark
2,262 19
Markp, May 4, 2010 #23
Nov 19, 2007

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New Zealand's government is recruiting American clinical psychologists to go work there. If I recall correctly, the
contracts are 1-2 years, with opportunities to renew. They will only hire people from APA-approved programs
(internships?).

The recruiter told me that it's mostly empirically-supported/CBT therapy done in government-run community mental
health centers, working 9-5ish hours. I recall the pay was about $70-75K/year + benefits and relocation.
positivepsych
Member
The pay isn't great, but its certainly on par with American salaries, and New Zealand is beautiful is you like the great
7+ Year Member
outdoors or are a thrill-seeker.
positivepsych, May 4, 2010 #24
331 1

Nov 25, 2005

Anyone know is there's a website somewhere that is dedicated to professionals who want to practice abroad? Or do we
just have to search for specific programs/sites (like the Costarican Prof Program)?

robinsena, May 4, 2010 #25

robinsena

111 0
Jan 29, 2010

robinsena said:

To answer the OP's question...

I am not the best person to ask in terms of opportunities for research/teaching/private practice abroad, but I do know other countries
(mostly ones that speak English as a first/second official language) that are open to hiring clin psychologists from the US. Also, lots of
opportunities exist for psychologists who is passionate about social justice - if you are willing to work with nonprofits, then there are
psychdoc2011
some who look for psychologists who can commit to at least 1-2 years at countries in Africa and Asia to work with survivors of trauma.

4 0

Feb 19, 2010 Would you please tell me where I can find these programs you mentioned. I definitely want to work in Africa as a Clin
psych, but I have not been successful in finding any opportunities.

psychdoc2011, May 5, 2010 #26

I would also like to go to Italy for a year and work as a clinical psychologist (with children) any tips as to how I can do
that?

NinaErher, Aug 17, 2015 #27

NinaErher

1 0
Aug 17, 2015

Ways you can work abroad:

1) Medcine sin frontera

2) Army contracting
3) become licensed in a foreign country, develop fluency in the language, make 800 phone calls until you get someone
to offer you a job that qualifies you for a visa, and take a substantial pay cut ( limited chance this will happen)
PSYDR 4) Apply for one of the many New Zealand jobs
Psychologist

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10+ Year Member 5) Take one of the frequently offered Asian/Middle East jobs
6) Marry a foreigner.
7) Become incredibly involved in research with a Co-I in a foreign country.
1,912 1,069
8) Move to a country with no psychology licensing and hang out a shingle.
Dec 18, 2005
PSYDR, Aug 17, 2015 #28

NinaErher said:

I would also like to go to Italy for a year and work as a clinical psychologist (with children) any tips as to how I can do that?

From what I've heard (from an Italian colleague), the process is a nightmare. Just out of curiosity, are you already
fluent in Italian?
MamaPhD
Psychologist, Academic MamaPhD, Aug 17, 2015 #29
Medical Center

7+ Year Member

1,555 1,324
Aug 2, 2010
Psychologist

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