How to Become a Christian Psychiatrist
Christians are often turned off by the idea of seeing a psychiatrist, even when they know they need help. Seeing a doctor who shares their beliefs can help the patients feel more comfortable and willing to get help. While the process of becoming a psychiatrist is basically the same for everyone, there are special steps a Christian can take to ensure a successful experience practicing as a Christian psychiatrist.
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Things You'll Need
- College applications
- Medical college applications
- Bible
- Devotional books
Instructions
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Attend college at an accredited Christian college. Some Christian colleges are unaccredited, so be careful when making your choice. Ask an admissions counselor to tell you which board the school is accredited by. You will have a more difficult time getting into medical school with an unaccredited degree. You should major in biology, chemistry or psychology, or double major in psychology and either biology or chemistry. You should strongly consider choosing Bible as your minor because a Christian psychiatrist should have a strong knowledge of the Bible.
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Apply to and attend medical school. There are some reputable Christian medical schools, but you can attend whichever medical school fits your needs best. The first half of medical school will be general studies in anatomy and medicine. The second half of medical school is when you will begin to study psychiatry in-depth. If you are attending a secular medical school, find a church to serve in and keep your faith strong through personal devotions and prayer.
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Participate in both an internship and residency. The internship lasts one year and residency is four years. During this time, you should work in both secular and Christian environments to get a well-rounded experience with different types of patients and styles of care.
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Obtain a license in psychiatry in the state where you will work. Licensure requires successful completion of your residency and passing an examination. You can then begin practicing as a psychiatrist. To truly call yourself a Christian psychiatrist you should work in a facility associated with a Christian denomination and should remain active in a local church.
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Join a Christian counseling association. There are several to choose from associated with different denominations and serving different purposes. This will give you credibility with your patients and help them trust that you are truly practicing with a Christian viewpoint. Patients who trust you will be more accepting of any treatment plan you suggest to help their mental disorders.
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References
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