Hello,
I am looking for advice, as I feel like there are relatively few people with my interest areas and my particular dilemma. I have recently completed a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from a locally well-respected, free standing program in the Western U.S. Unlike many PsyD programs, an emphasis was placed on research as well as intensive clinical training (I had roughly 3200 hours completed before I graduated). I completed a qualitative study for my dissertation focused on the subjective experience of identity formation among marginalized youth. Although my study was unconventional in the context of clinical psychology research, I was accepted to present it at three international conferences. Currently, I am working at a community mental health clinic completing my postdoc hours. I provide therapy and assessment services where I adapt empirically-validated treatments for a largely Latino, immigrant, client base. Most of my work is conducted in Spanish.
I provide the annoying details because I am questioning whether or not I want to pursue a PhD or MA in Medical Anthropology, with a concentration in cross-cultural psychological anthropology. I loved conducting my dissertation research and although I equally love clinical work, would ideally like to pursue a career which balances interdisciplinary, qualitative research into the experiences of those impacted by mental illness with community-based clinical work and consultation and teaching at the university level. I have already completed one dissertation, so it seems like overkill to do another, but I'm not sure if an MA program or postdoc would suffice to help me develop the expertise and experience needed to pursue a joint academic-clinical career. If anyone has dealt with a similar dilemma, or has pursued an academic doctorate after a professional one, please chime in.