I can tell you the coursework has very little to do with what you may have learned in psychology with the exception of some of the curriculum being Master's coursework. SFC is correct about 68x putting you in a working environment. The new curriculum which I was the first class to receive, is really heavy on social work. Which each tier of experience x10, x20, x30, x40, x50(Master Sergeant experience rank you get kicked to being an E8 68W). The reason why it doesn't really go above x40 rank experience of an E7, is that all of the e1-e4 ranks are doing the heavy loading of the job duties such as patient intake interviews, working with providers : which may consist of psychologist, psychiatrists, and social workers. The NCO ranks start managing clinics, running COSC (combat occupational stress control units, and taking a more administrative approach to behavioral health plus all of the other duties.

Some books of reference you'll want to look into is the DSM-IV, Theories for Direct Social Work Practice "Joseph Walsh". I forget exactly what counseling book we used, but we had an abnormal psychology one and one other mental health one.

I highly recommend OCS only if you plan on making the military your career. Here in this MOS you'll receive approximately 18 credit hours for the training. The Navy earns less, and the Air Force earns more. You will be studying all the time and will not sleep. We have taken 2 tests a week for a 16 long week course. It's essentially a 2-4 year degree equivalent of knowledge in 4 months with the new standards. The training is held at METC in JBSA Fort Sam. Energy drinks and all other supplements are contraband, so prepare to live life like a zombie. You will be required to complete a field training exercise of 3-4 days. It will be more challenging than the one you face at basic in terms of the obstacle course and setting up a simulated wartime COSC .

68X would be a good fit for you and offer training in your field as well as open other mental health programs to you as well. You could try for 68F but there likely won’t be any class seats. I’m not sure how being a physical therapy assistant would line up with your future goals. There is a Masters if Social Work program you will apply to in order to commission 73A, your bachelor degree is not sufficient and you lack the license to practice. Being a 68X will put you in a working environment with mental health professionals who will be able to write your letters of recommendation