Psychologist Career

A psychologist career may be the right choice for anyone who has a good grasp of how the human mind works. Understanding how emotional and mental health issues may affect the behavior of people is one way to determine if psychology is the right occupational choice.

What is a Psychologist?

Many people are under the impression that a psychologist and a psychiatrist are one and the same. While they both deal with the workings of the human mind, mental health, and emotional problems, they are in fact, two very different medical careers. A psychologist is not a medical doctor, although may be referred to as ‘doctor,’ and is not allowed to prescribe medications, as is a psychiatrist. The psychologist employs the use of counseling and psychotherapy in his or her practice.

Psychologist Job Duties

In the psychology field, there are many different branches that someone can practice in. There are psychologists for schools, groups, organizations, businesses, and those who practice in a clinical setting. No matter which category any psychologist chooses, counseling is the most important aspect of the profession. Meeting with the patient and discussing the problem is how a psychologist is able to analyze emotional issues and effectively counsel the individual. Assisting someone with emotional trauma and finding a solution to the problem is what psychology is about.

Psychologist Skills

Anyone considering a psychologist career must have excellent communication skills. A good share of the time spent with each patient will involve listening, analyzing, and asking pertinent questions. Effective communication will serve to put the patient at ease and allow the psychologist more insight into the issues which have brought the individual into the office. Most people are extremely nervous during the initial visit, and a professional psychologist will rely on his or her skills of communication to draw the patient into a discussion about the issues he or she might be having.

Psychologist Education

A good education is important to becoming a psychologist, and this can begin in high school. Taking subjects like chemistry, biology, health, and math will give a student a little edge when they enter college. Once the student decides which field of psychology to specialize in, a bachelor’s degree is necessary. Many potential psychologists decide to continue their education to obtain a master’s degree. It takes 2 to 3 years to complete the schooling necessary for the master’s, and an additional 2 to 4 years to earn a doctoral degree.

Psychologist Salary

Depending on the category of practice, the salary for a psychologist will vary widely. A clinical psychologist can expect to earn about $65,000 annually, while a school psychologist will have a yearly income of $45,000 to $65,000. Forensic psychologists average about $55,000 and up. Each category, or specialty, has a different salary range and of course, the more experienced the psychologist is, the more money he or she is capable of earning.

Psychologist Job Outlook

The demand for psychologists in a variety of settings is expected to be above average in the years to come. School psychologists, in particular, will see an increase of jobs as more focus is placed on certain issues in each school. Bullying is one of the prime reasons that schools will be employing more psychologists. As job stress increases, psychologists will find their services becoming more needed. A psychologist career is a good job choice, even, or especially, in troubled economic times.

Before deciding on a psychologist career, make sure the reasons for this choice are the right ones. A genuine need and desire to help people with emotional issues is the most important aspect when choosing this career, and not the money that can be made. Compassion for people with mental health problems and being able to help them find solutions that can make their life more fulfilling should be your priority.