boy meets therapy Navigating Graduate School in Counseling: Faith, Internships, and Choosing a Master’s or a PhD with Bailey Mcfadden
In this episode, Dustin Oliver sits down with counseling graduate student Bailey McFadden to talk about the real-life journey through psychology education—from undergrad to grad school and beyond. They discuss why they both chose to pursue master’s degrees over PhDs, how to evaluate faith-integrated counseling programs, and what it’s really like working in internship settings. Bailey shares her experiences navigating clinical training, community support, and the pressure to “do it all” in grad school. Whether you're exploring mental health careers, considering a graduate degree, or already deep in your training, this candid conversation offers insight, encouragement, and practical advice.
Connect with Bailey McFadden:
Instagram: @genzcounselorb
TikTok: @genzcounselorb
Connect with boy meets therapy:
Instagram: @boymeetstherapy
TikTok: @boymeetstherapy
Website with Free Resources: boymeetstherapy.com
Episode Guide & Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:07 Undergraduate Experience in Psychology
06:04 Transitioning to Graduate School
09:01 Working in a Psychiatric Unit
12:09 Advice for Aspiring Psychologists
15:11 Study Abroad Experiences
17:47 Choosing a Graduate Program
20:51 Faith Integration in Counseling
24:05 The Role of Spirituality in Therapy
28:00 Navigating Faith Integration in Counseling Programs
29:51 The PhD Dilemma: To Pursue or Not?
35:48 Internship Insights: What to Expect
43:55 Finding Support and Community in Grad School
Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver.