Psychologists study the human mind and human
behavior. Research psychologists investigate the physical,
cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior.
Psychologists in health service fields provide mental health care in
hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings. Psychologists
employed in applied settings, such as business, industry,
government, or nonprofit organizations, provide training, conduct
research, design organizational systems, and act as advocates for
psychology.
Like other social scientists, psychologists
formulate hypotheses and collect data to test their validity.
Research methods vary with the topic under study. Psychologists
sometimes gather information through controlled laboratory
experiments or by administering personality, performance, aptitude,
or intelligence tests. Other methods include observation,
interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and
surveys.
Psychologists apply their knowledge to a wide range
of endeavors, including health and human services, management,
education, law, and sports. They usually specialize in one of a
number of different areas.
When choosing a
psychologist, be aware of what type of psychology they practice. At
San Diego Family Services, we are primarily Clinical Psychologists
with specialization within this area of
practice:
Clinical psychologists—work most often in
counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or
clinics. They help mentally and emotionally distressed clients
adjust to life and may assist medical and surgical patients in
dealing with illnesses or injuries. Some clinical psychologists work
in physical rehabilitation settings, treating patients with spinal
cord injuries, chronic pain or illness, stroke, arthritis, or
neurological conditions. Others help people deal with personal
crisis, such as divorce or the death of a loved one.
Clinical psychologists often interview patients
and give diagnostic tests. They may provide individual, family, or
group psychotherapy and may design and implement behavior
modification programs. Some clinical psychologists collaborate with
physicians and other specialists to develop and implement treatment
and intervention programs that patients can understand and comply
with. Other clinical psychologists work in universities and medical
schools, where they train graduate students in the delivery of
mental health and behavioral medicine services. Some administer
community mental health programs.
Areas of specialization within clinical psychology
include health psychology, neuropsychology, and geropsychology.
Health psychologists study how biological, psychological, and
social factors affect health and illness. They promote healthy
living and disease prevention through counseling, and they focus on
how patients adjust to illnesses and treatments and view their
quality of life. Neuropsychologists study the relation
between the brain and behavior. They often work in stroke and head
injury programs. Geropsychologists deal
with the special problems faced by the elderly. The emergence and
growth of these specialties reflects the increasing participation of
psychologists in direct services to special patient
populations.
Often,
clinical psychologists consult with other medical personnel
regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that
includes medication. Clinical psychologists generally are not
permitted to prescribe medication to treat patients; only
psychiatrists and other medical doctors may prescribe most
medications. However, two States—Louisiana and New Mexico—currently
allow appropriately trained clinical psychologists to prescribe
medication with some limitations.
Counseling psychologists use various
techniques, including interviewing and testing, to advise people on
how to deal with problems of everyday living, including career or
work problems and problems faced in different stages of life. They
work in settings such as university counseling centers, hospitals,
and individual or group practices.
School
psychologists
work with students in early childhood and elementary and secondary
schools. They collaborate with teachers, parents, and school
personnel to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning
environments for all students. School psychologists address
students’ learning and behavioral problems, suggest improvements to
classroom management strategies or parenting techniques, and
evaluate students with disabilities and gifted and talented students
to help determine the best way to educate them.
They
improve teaching, learning, and socialization strategies based on
their understanding of the psychology of learning environments. They
also may evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, prevention
programs, behavior management procedures, and other services
provided in the school setting.
Industrial-organizational psychologists
apply psychological principles and research methods to the workplace
in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of
worklife. They also are involved in research on management and
marketing problems. They screen, train, and counsel applicants for
jobs, as well as perform organizational development and analysis. An
industrial psychologist might work with management to reorganize the
work setting in order to improve productivity or quality of life in
the workplace. Industrial psychologists frequently act as
consultants, brought in by management to solve a particular
problem.
Developmental psychologists study the
physiological, cognitive, and social development that takes place
throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during infancy,
childhood, and adolescence, or changes that occur during maturity or
old age. Developmental psychologists also may study developmental
disabilities and their effects. Increasingly, research is developing
ways to help elderly people remain independent as long as
possible.
Social psychologists examine people’s
interactions with others and with the social environment. They work
in organizational consultation, marketing research, systems design,
or other applied psychology fields. Prominent areas of study include
group behavior, leadership, attitudes, and perception.
Experimental or research psychologists
work in university and private research centers and in business,
nonprofit, and governmental organizations. They study the behavior
of both human beings and animals, such as rats, monkeys, and
pigeons. Prominent areas of study in experimental research include
motivation, thought, attention, learning and memory, sensory and
perceptual processes, effects of substance abuse, and genetic and
neurological factors affecting behavior.
Psychology Training and
Therapist QualificationsA master’s or doctoral degree, and a license,
are required for most psychologists.
Education and training. A doctoral degree usually is required for
independent practice as a psychologist. Psychologists with a Ph.D.
or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) qualify for a wide range of
teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in
universities, health care services, elementary and secondary
schools, private industry, government, and mental health. Psychologists with a
doctoral degree often work in clinical positions or in private
practices, but they also sometimes teach, conduct research, or carry
out administrative responsibilities.
A
doctoral degree generally requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study,
culminating in a dissertation based on original research. Courses in
quantitative research methods, which include the use of
computer-based analysis, are an integral part of graduate study and
are necessary to complete the dissertation. The Psy.D. degree may be
based on practical work and examinations rather than a dissertation.
In clinical, counseling, and school psychology, the requirements for
the doctoral degree include at least a 1-year internship.
A
specialist degree or its equivalent is required in most States for
an individual to work as a school psychologist, although a few
States still credential school psychologists with master’s degrees.
A specialist (Ed.S.) degree in school psychology requires a minimum
of 3 years of full-time graduate study (at least 60 graduate
semester hours) and a 1-year full-time internship. Because their
professional practice addresses educational and mental health
components of students’ development, school psychologists’ training
includes coursework in both education and psychology.
People
with a master’s degree in psychology may work as
industrial-organizational psychologists. They also may work as
psychological assistants under the supervision of doctoral-level
psychologists and may conduct research or psychological evaluations.
A master’s degree in psychology requires at least 2 years of
full-time graduate study. Requirements usually include practical
experience in an applied setting and a master’s thesis based on an
original research project.
Competition for admission to graduate psychology
programs is keen. Some universities require applicants to have an
undergraduate major in psychology. Others prefer only coursework in
basic psychology with additional courses in the biological,
physical, and social sciences and in statistics and
mathematics.
A
bachelor’s degree in psychology qualifies a person to assist
psychologists and other professionals in community mental health
centers, vocational rehabilitation offices, and correctional
programs. Bachelor’s degree holders may also work as research or
administrative assistants for psychologists. Some work as
technicians in related fields, such as marketing research. Many find
employment in other areas, such as sales, service, or business
management.
In the
Federal Government, candidates having at least 24 semester hours in
psychology and one course in statistics qualify for entry-level
positions. However, competition for these jobs is keen because this
is one of the few ways in which one can work as a psychologist
without an advanced degree.
The
American Psychological Association (APA) presently accredits
doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling, and school
psychology, as well as institutions that provide internships for
doctoral students in school, clinical, and counseling psychology.
The National Association of School Psychologists, with the
assistance of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher
Education, helps to approve advanced degree programs in school
psychology.
Licensure.
Psychologists in independent practice or those who offer any type of
patient care—including clinical, counseling, and school
psychologists—must meet certification or licensing requirements in
all States and the District of Columbia. Licensing laws vary by
State and by type of position and require licensed or certified
psychologists to limit their practice to areas in which they have
developed professional competence through training and experience.
(For California, feel free to visit the
California Board of Psychology
).Clinical and counseling psychologists usually
need a doctorate in psychology, an approved internship, and 1 to 2
years of professional experience. In addition, all States require
that applicants pass an examination. Most State licensing boards
administer a standardized test, and many supplement that with
additional oral or essay questions. Some States require continuing
education for renewal of the license.
Other qualifications. Aspiring psychologists
who are interested in direct patient care must be emotionally stable, mature, and able to
deal effectively with people. Sensitivity, compassion, good
communication skills, and the ability to lead and inspire others are
particularly important qualities for people wishing to do clinical
work and counseling. Research psychologists should be able to do
detailed work both independently and as part of a team. Patience and
perseverance are vital qualities, because achieving results in the
psychological treatment of patients or in research may take a long
time.
Be sure to choose
your therapist / psychologist wisely. Just because a therapist takes
your insurance or offers a lower rate, doesn't mean you'll achieve
your desired mental health results. At San Diego Family Services, we know we are
the best with therapy / psychology. As the old adage goes, "You get what you pay
for."
Psychologists at San Diego Family Services
|
