If you have ever thought about becoming a psychologist, then this article is for you. You’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about becoming a psychologist, where psychologists work, how much they get paid, what kind of additional in-service training they need, how you can become a psychologist, some of the dangers involved with this job, when you can expect to retire and how you can make a difference in the lives of the people you serve. As a psychology student, learning more about this job and informing people who consider this field of study motivated me to write about it.
Being a psychologist is studying how we think, feel and behave from a scientific viewpoint and applying this knowledge to help people understand, explain and change their behavior.
Psychologists engage in research, practice and teaching across a wide range of topics having to do with how people think, feel and behave. Their work can involve individuals, groups, families and as well as larger organizations in government and industry. Some psychologists focus their research on animals rather than people. Here are some of the kinds of topics towards which psychologists focus their research and practice: mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias, etc.; neurological, genetic, psychological and social determinants of behaviour; psychological determinants of health and psychological factors that contribute to health and disease management; role of psychological factors in preventing disease and maintaining physical health; rehabilitation and adjustment to disability and chronic illness; brain injury, degenerative brain diseases; perception and management of pain; relationship between psychological factors and physical conditions and illness (diabetes, heart disease, stroke); management of psychological aspects of terminal illnesses and end-of-life care; cognitive functions (learning, memory, problem solving, intellectual ability); developmental and behavioural abilities and problems across the lifespan; criminal behaviour, crime prevention, and services for victims and perpetrators of criminal activity; addictions, substance use and abuse (smoking, alcohol, prescription and recreational drugs); stress, anger and other aspects of lifestyle management; court consultations on the role of psychological factors in legal matters (accidents and injury, parental capacity, competence to manage one’s personal affairs); psychology in the workplace (motivation, leadership, productivity, marketing, healthy workplaces, ergonomics); marital and family relationships and problems; social and cultural behaviors and attitudes relationship between the individual and the many groups of which he or she is part (work, family, society); and psychological factors related to performance at/in work, school, recreation, and sport.
By doing research and performing examinations, psychologists study all aspects of the mind. Health facilities employ approximately 30 percent of all working psychologists, while 40 percent work in educational environments, in such positions as counselors, educators, and researchers. Most often, these academically connected psychologists maintain a private practice while teaching or conducting research. Psychologists working in academic settings have flexibility in their schedules, but the demands on their time are high. Private practice is the goal of many psychologists. While seeing private patients means a psychologist is her own boss, it also means accommodating patients with evening or weekend hours. A government or corporate psychologist, by contrast, works in a more structured environment. Their hours are fixed and they often work alone. There’s some relief and enjoyment in the occasional conference that takes them away from writing reports. Despite potentially grueling schedules and emotional demands, psychologists report great satisfaction in their jobs; the gratification they receive from helping others keeps them in the field. Wrote one psychologist, “The best thing about this job is that people open up their lives to you-that’s a great responsibility but also an honor.”
Some psychologists work primarily as researchers and faculty at universities and at governmental and non-governmental organizations. Others work primarily as practitioners in hospitals, schools, clinics, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs and private offices. Others works as consultants to corporations and various organizations. Many psychologists are active in both research and practice.
You can become a psychologist by spending many years in school. A Ph.D. will enable you to work in the widest range of positions, and doing graduate work toward a doctoral degree consumes between five and seven years. Obtaining this distinguished degree hinges on completing a dissertation based on original research. Before you begin this research, you must complete coursework in quantitative research methods, statistics, and computers. If you want to work in a clinical or counseling setting, you will begin to work with patients under supervision before the degree is completed, and at least another year of supervised work experience is required afterward.
A psychologist makes between 83000 - 97999 dollars
If you want to work in a clinical or counseling setting, you will begin to work with patients under supervision before the degree is completed, and at least another year of supervised work experience is required afterward. Most academic programs require counseling psychology students to undergo psychoanalysis as part of their training. The newer Psy.D., Doctor of Psychology, will qualify you for clinical positions.
Because of the extensive academic and emotional commitment required to obtain their degree, very few psychologists leave the field at any time in their careers.
The chances that psychologists get replaced by robots are at 0.43%.
Many psychologists choose to break away from a university or hospital with which they are affiliated to focus on building their full-time practice. Otherwise, they may be involved in hospital administration, or clinical testing, or ongoing research through a hospital or university, which can sometimes be a source of regret. Most psychologists retire at the age of 50 years old.
I am currently going to start my bachelor's at Concordia University in psychology. I am looking forward in to this field of study and evolve in this path. I can't wait to get trained to use psychological tests to help with assessment and diagnosis. I will help people to overcome or manage their problems using a variety of treatments or psychotherapies.
Rationale: to inform or educate
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
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Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: government
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: cites sources