Name: Martin M. Antony, Ph.D.
Years of experience: 20 years (including graduate training)
Occupation: Professor of Psychology; Clinical Psychologist
Q: How did you get started in clinical psychology?
A: I got my start as a research assistant at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Toronto General Hospital in 1987, when I took a year off school to get some work experience before applying to graduate school. That position solidified my interest in clinical psychology, and helped me to develop a professional interest in the nature and treatment of anxiety-based problems. I then sought graduate programs that could offer specialized training in my area of interest, and ended up at the State University of New York at Albany.
Q: What are the qualities a person should have to succeed?
A: Clinical psychologists work in many different contexts including private clinical practice, hospital based practice, research institutions, higher education, industry, consulting, etc. The specific qualities that are likely to lead to success vary depending on the context. In a career like my own (which has included opportunities for clinical practice, research, teaching, clinical supervision, administration, and authoring about 20 books), the sorts of qualities that have been important include a curiosity about human behaviour, good interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to do many things at once.
Q: What kind of background, either educational or other, best suits someone starting out in the industry?
A: To become a clinical psychologist, a doctorate in psychology is necessary. In most cases, the degree is a Ph.D., and training includes course work and practical training relevant to both research and clinical service (e.g., assessment and treatment). The Ph.D. takes between five to seven years (including completion of a master’s degree, but not including the undergraduate degree, which is usually in psychology). After completion of the Ph.D., psychologists are required to practice under supervision for at least an additional year, and to complete several exams, before being allowed to practice independently. In Ontario, it is possible to practice psychology with just a master’s (usually two years). Psychology practitioners with master’s degrees are called Psychological Associates in Ontario.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I love most is the variety of activities in which I am involved. It is almost impossible to get bored!
Q: What kind of local associations/organizations/volunteer activities would you recommend?
A: If you already have an undergraduate degree in psychology, the thing to do next is to get some additional research experience at a local university or hospital. Contact psychologists and psychiatrists who are active in clinical research and see whether they are looking for research assistants.
Q: For newcomers to the industry, what tips would you offer them on getting started in their career?
A: The first step is to get accepted into graduate school. Clinical psychology programs are extremely competitive. In our new graduate program at Ryerson University, we had close to 150 applications for 13 spots in the first year of our clinical training program. High undergraduate grades are a must. Research experience is also very important, as is a good undergraduate education in psychology or a related area. My top suggestion is for people to apply broadly, including as many programs as possible in Canada and the United States (it is not unusual for people to apply to between 10 and 20 schools). Typically, graduate programs provide funding to their students to cover tuition and some living expenses. A couple of books to check out (both published by the American Psychological Association, www.apa.org/books) include: (1) Graduate Study in Psychology, 2008 Edition, and (2) Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology, Second Edition.
Q: What are the most challenging aspects of the industry?
A: One of the challenges is trying to navigate a changing healthcare system. For example, in the past there were more psychology jobs in hospitals. Ontario has a history of cutting access to psychological services over the past decade or so. Psychologists tend to be more expensive than other mental health professionals, so some hospitals (e.g., Sunnybrook, Toronto General, Credit Valley) have more or less closed their entire psychology departments in order to save money. Because psychologists are the only mental health professionals who are routinely trained as researchers, these cuts may have an impact on the generation of new knowledge regarding the causes and best treatments for mental health problems. Note that although fewer psychologists may be working in hospitals now than in the past, there is still a strong demand for clinical psychologists overall.
