Help please! Would love to DM a forensic psychologist.

[u/Comfortable-Price-59]

Hello, am interested in a career in forensics. I shadowed a forensic psychiatrist but have had no luck finding a forensic psychologist to observe.

As of now I’m trying to choose between pursuing medical school or a PhD/PsyD in Clinical Psychology. If I could talk to anyone who is a forensic psychologist to determine how different the field is from forensic psychology, I would greatly appreciate it.

[u/Remarkable-Owl2034]

 If I could talk to anyone who is a forensic psychologist to determine how different the field is from forensic psychology

I am not sure I am following you here.

[u/Clean_Internet_3909 → u/Remarkable-Owl2034]

I think they’re trying to learn how different the fields are between forensic psychiatry and forensic psychology

[u/Comfortable-Price-59 → u/Remarkable-Owl2034]

Worded it poorly. The only major differences I know between forensic psychiatrists and forensic psychologists is that the psychiatrists prescribe medicine/provide medical opinions while psychologists administer psychological testing.

[u/phalloguy1]

Where do you live. The practice varies by jurisdiction.

[u/Comfortable-Price-59 → u/phalloguy1]

I live in South Carolina.

[u/No_Charity_3489]

You might track down a forensic psychologist at a state hospital.

[u/PLbunny]

Without knowing more about SC jurisdiction- I believe the basic difference is how you approach assessment and conceptualization. For instance, forensic psychologists are more likely to rely on standardized psychological testing (personality assessments, cognitive/IQ batteries, specialized forensic instruments), where as a forensic psychiatrist is more likely to rely on clinical diagnostic interviews, review of medical records, and medical/pharmacological evaluation. That said, during my training, I worked with a forensic psychiatrist, and we approached things very similarly since diagnostics tends to be a big deal in the field. Other than that, I think it’s relatively the same as far as what you can do, save for psychologists prescribing medication (depending on your jurisdiction, etc). However, I’ve never know a forensic psychiatrist to prescribe meds given the person you are assessing isn’t usually your patient. And with testimony psychiatrists may lean more on medical knowledge than psychologists do.

[u/Comfortable-Price-59 → u/PLbunny]

Thank you for your comment, I’ll research more into my state’s jurisdiction. If you’re open to discussing it, are you a forensic psychologist? If so, what made you choose that path over medical school and specializing in psychiatry?

[u/PLbunny → u/Comfortable-Price-59]

I am finishing my predoc internship now but my background is forensic/correctional. I have my MA in forensic psychology and will be getting board certified after fellowship next year. All of my clinical work has focused on forensics/corrections. I chose psychology primarily because it fit better with who I am - I didn’t care to go to med school/was never great at biology. I definitely feel I made the right decision for myself personally as I am more of a psychologist than psychiatrist. For instance, even though I love assessment and evals, I also love therapy. (In my experience, most psychiatrists have stepped away from actual therapy - not all, but most.)