About: Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW

Quick Answer With an associate degree in psychology, you can work as a psychiatric aide (median salary: $41,590), a social and human service assistant ($45,120), a home health aide ($34,900), or a teacher assistant ($35,240). These entry-level positions provide hands-on experience in mental health, education, and social services while opening pathways to advanced careers. The…

Quick Answer A PhD in Psychology emphasizes research and academic careers with a scientist-practitioner model, typically taking 5-7 years and often providing full funding. A PsyD focuses on clinical practice with extensive practicum training, typically taking 4-6 years, but requiring students to pay tuition. Both degrees qualify for licensure as a psychologist, but PhD programs…

Quick Answer Counseling careers encompass diverse specializations, including mental health counseling (treating depression, anxiety, trauma), marriage and family therapy (relationship issues), school counseling (academic and career guidance), rehabilitation counseling (disability support), and substance abuse counseling (addiction treatment). Each requires a master's degree and state licensure, with median annual salaries ranging from $58,570 to $63,780, depending…

Quick Answer Recreational therapists use activities like sports, arts, and games to help patients recover from injuries, illnesses, and disabilities. They earn a median salary of $60,280 and need a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, a 560-hour internship, and CTRS certification to practice. Sometimes the best medicine doesn't come from a pill bottle. Physical therapy,…

Quick Answer Mental health counselors earn a median salary of $59,190 annually, according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. School and career counselors earn $67,670, while rehabilitation counselors earn $47,330. Your actual salary depends on your specialization, location, education level, and whether you're licensed or certified. [xyz_feat_school] If you're considering a career in counseling,…

Quick Answer Social workers (MSW, 2 years) focus on connecting clients with community resources and addressing environmental factors causing distress, earning a median of $61,330. Psychologists (doctorate, 5–7 years) treat mental health conditions through individual therapy and assessment, earning a median of $94,310. Social workers take a holistic, systems-based approach while psychologists focus on internal…

Quick Answer A PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) is a doctoral degree emphasizing clinical practice and patient care over research. PsyD programs typically take 4-6 years, include extensive supervised clinical training, and prepare graduates for licensure as clinical psychologists with median salaries of $96,100 annually. [xyz_feat_school] Most people know psychologists have advanced training and a doctoral…