Posted on Dec 13, 2020
If I have a masters in psychology/behavioral health, how do I request an assignment to become a Behavioral Health Officer (BHO)?
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Any help appreciated
Posted in these groups: Behavioral Health Officer
Behavioral Health67D: Behavioral Sciences91G: Behavioral Science Specialist
Behavioral Health67D: Behavioral Sciences91G: Behavioral Science Specialist
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I would contact an AMEDD recruiter (not a regular hometown recruiter) and ask about direct commissioning.
You can’t just be assigned. You need to be appointed
You can’t just be assigned. You need to be appointed
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You will need to be licensed in your state to be a behavioral health officer. The only fields the Army commissions for mental health are Psychology and Social worker. You aren't a Psychologist with a Masters and unless you are licensed as a Social Worker, you are not eligible to be a BHO.
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PFC (Join to see)
I’m sorry, I failed to mention my wife is a 1st lieutenant with said credentials, who is currently a 13A ( FA officer) and wants to become a BHO, so if she has her masters in psychology which includes behavorial health, she would still need to become licensed to be appointed that job? My apologies for the lack of context
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
PFC (Join to see) - As SFC Boyd mentioned your wife would need to have the training, education and certification to work in BH. I looked and it seems that to become a clinical Psychologist in the Army a Doctoral degree in counseling or clinical psychology is required. I would recommend your wife reaching out to her local BH dept for guidance.
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SFC (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) if your spouse can't legally practice as a Social Worker or Psychologist, then the Army can't hire her to be one.
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I believe you require a Doctorate if you want to become an officer in Mental Health.
https://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/psychiatrist
https://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/psychiatrist
U.S. Air Force - Career Detail - Psychiatrist
Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.
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As a Veteran BHO, I commissioned as a licensed clinical social worker (MSW+2 years practice and passing the ASWB clinical exam). For a master’s level BHO, you must be licensed at the highest level in social work in any US state to meet initial entry requirements; only a master’s degree in social work meets the requirements. For a doctoral level BHO, one must earn an APA-approved PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology and earn independent licensure.
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Looks like you are in the right path, academically speaking.
Anyway, what you are really asking for is not for an assignment but (my guess) a commission as a Clinical Psychologist. If that’s the case, that path is thru the Army Medical Department Recruiting.
https://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/science-medicine/physical-mental-health/73e-clinical-psychologist.html
Anyway, what you are really asking for is not for an assignment but (my guess) a commission as a Clinical Psychologist. If that’s the case, that path is thru the Army Medical Department Recruiting.
https://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/science-medicine/physical-mental-health/73e-clinical-psychologist.html
As a Clinical Psychologist in the U.S. Army, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a rewarding patient base—Soldiers and their Families—in a variety of settings and conduct vital, life-saving research alongside committed and focused colleagues.
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