Psychologists are educated to view problems from various perspectives, which is an invaluable skill when faced with life’s obstacles. Furthermore, studying psychology cultivates self-awareness – an invaluable asset that will serve you well throughout your life.
Psychologists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools and universities, social service organizations, research institutions, nursing homes – and more. No matter their workplace setting, psychologists strive to make an impact on their patients’ lives.
Education and Training
Psychologists must continue their education to stay abreast of the most recent advancements in mental health treatment and research. Furthermore, they must meet professional certification requirements to remain certified to practice.
Becoming a psychologist requires several educational pathways. The most popular is earning either a doctorate degree in psychology (such as a PhD or PsyD).
As part of your doctoral studies, you must write and defend a dissertation, pass a comprehensive exam, and complete an internship.
Once you’ve earned your degree, you can apply for a license in your state to become a licensed psychologist. Licensing usually requires an additional year of supervised experience.
Psychologists can specialize in a wide range of fields, such as counseling, school psychology, behavioral medicine, autism research and neuropsychology. Some work in private practices or hospitals while others conduct research.
Clinical Practice
Psychologists, also referred to as counselors or therapists, work with clients struggling with mental illness, substance abuse and behavioral problems. Utilizing their understanding of human development and behavior, psychologists assess the issue and help the client create a plan of action.
Clinical psychologists may work in a variety of settings, such as private practices, hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. They have the option to work one-on-one with patients or lead group therapy sessions.
Psychiatrists are physicians specializing in psychiatry who can prescribe medication to their clients (by law, only psychiatrists have this power).
Since the introduction of managed care delivery systems, psychiatric practice has undergone radical restructuring. Managed care organizations have reduced reimbursement periods for inpatient treatment and outpatient psychotherapy services, while increasing visits to psychiatric hospitals. This shift has resulted in reduced access to psychiatric services for some patients who previously relied on them, as well as an uptick in anxiety and personality disorders seeking psychotherapy.
Research
Research is the process of gathering evidence that can be used to generate new knowledge and understandings. It involves employing experimental methods and statistics to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and collect data.
Researchers typically conduct their research in controlled lab settings, but some also work in the field, collecting data in hospitals, schools or workplaces. It’s essential for psychologists to conduct research across a variety of settings and gather as much information as possible so they can gain a comprehensive understanding of their topics of interest.
In addition to conducting research, many psychologists also write articles and books published in professional journals, as well as attending or presenting at local and national conferences. These experiences can give psychology students an edge when applying for graduate school and increase their acceptance rate.
Community Contribution
Community psychology (CP) is an interdisciplinary field that brings together various disciplines and approaches to social change. It draws from both individual psychology as well as environmental factors, often referred to as’social ecological’ theory.
Community psychologists draw upon values, concepts and change strategies commonly shared with other community-focused specialties like applied sociology, social work, community economic development, public health, anthropology and prevention science. However, CP adds its own distinctive set of perspectives and principles to this mix (Francescato & Zani, 2013; Lykes, Terreblanche & Hamber, 2013; Wolfe, Scott & Jimenez, 2013).
Community psychologists are not only researchers but also active stakeholders with the unique capacity to organize collaborative and successful intervention programs. These could include readaptation, crisis and trauma response, human resource capacity building, as well as coordinated systems of care (Cook & Kilmer, 2012; Lavoie & Brunson, 2010).