Psychology Career Guide

A psychologist's job description can depend on several factors, including their level of education, industry of employment, and area of specialization. In general, psychologists work with patients to understand their needs and help them cope with life challenges, mental health issues, or other chronic conditions. They may conduct research into the cognitive and environmental factors that shape human behavior and, in some cases, also teach at the postsecondary level.

Careers in psychology can require specialized knowledge, clinical training, and, in some cases, state licensure. It may therefore be helpful to understand which combination of skills and experience can qualify you for specific jobs in this multidisciplinary field.

Degrees

A majority, if not all, of careers in psychology require some familiarity with prominent behavioral theories, as well as an understanding of topics such as medication, medical ethics, and healthcare delivery, to name a few. More specialized knowledge is typically needed for higher-level positions. Given this, a post-secondary education from an accredited institution is essential if you aspire to work in this field.

Licensure

Most clinical positions in which psychologists and counselors treat patients directly — either through therapy, medication, or some combination of the two — require licensure. Specific procedures can vary by state, but obtaining licensure typically involves completing the appropriate level of education, gaining several hours of clinical experience, and passing an exam.

Some non-clinical positions, such as school and career counselors, may also have licensure preconditions. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards provides more information about state licensure requirements for different positions.

Skill Set

Regardless of their area of specialization or day-to-day responsibilities, psychologists need a strong set of soft skills to effectively meet patient or client needs. Developing the following capabilities is essential for any aspiring psychologists.

• Analysis: Analysis involves the ability to closely examine various pieces or elements and then draw conclusions about the relationships or structure among those elements. Psychology students are frequently presented with sets of information that they must study, analyze, and summarize.
• Communication: The companion to strong listening skills is the ability to effectively convey information, both orally and in writing. Psychology students learn to explain their thoughts and ideas in a clear and logical way through practice, which will definitely take the form of written papers but may also involve oral presentations and clinical practice.
• Listening: At the core of a psychologist's work is the ability to actively listen to others. Psychology students are trained to give a speaker their full attention, notice subtle cues in body language and voice, and ask for clarification without judgment so that the speaker feels comfortable and understood.
• Problem-solving: These are relevant to virtually every career but particularly to work that involves helping others. Mental health professionals are routinely challenged to recognize and clarify problems, identify and weigh the benefits of all potential solutions, and then select and implement the best solution for any given problem.

Career Advancement

Getting a graduate degree is one of the most common ways to advance your career in psychology. Indeed, many master's and doctorate programs help students develop essential skills in research, as well as in-depth knowledge of particular topics, which can prepare them for many different clinical and non-clinical occupations.

While a graduate education can improve your career prospects, certification can further show employers that you have specialized training in a particular psychology sub-field. Unlike licensure, certification is not necessary for employment — though some employers can require it. Nevertheless, getting certified is a great way to distinguish yourself as a highly qualified candidate with unique subject matter expertise. The American Board of Professional Psychology offers certification for both early and mid-career psychologists.

A psychology degree can open the door to careers in many different economic sectors. This is because several industries such as healthcare, marketing, education, and consulting — to name a few — all value employees who can understand and can help shape human behavior. This can also be true for government agencies and nonprofits that deal explicitly with specific populations. Furthermore, given that many clinical psychologists are self-employed, a graduate degree and state licensure can pave the way to starting your own private practice.

From a geographical standpoint, a degree in psychology can help you land a position in a wide range of states, provided you have the appropriate license to practice in a given jurisdiction. In most cases, some states have reciprocity agreements with each other that allow psychologists to practice in multiple jurisdictions while being licensed in a single state. Unsurprisingly, most therapists and counselors end up in states which have high populations. For example, California, Illinois, Texas, and Florida employ the largest number of psychologists, many of whom specialize in specific areas.

Currently, I have an online therapy practice. For about 20 years, I worked as a forensic psychologist with a small therapy practice on the side. The flexibility of working in psychology is one of the things I like.

A good capacity for empathy. Humility. Love of learning. Analytical. Writing skills. Critical thinking.

Get clear on what you envision doing as your daily job. If it is only therapy, there are many paths that take less time and money that can equip you as a therapist, such as master's level degrees in counseling or social work. If you want the ability to also do assessments, such as I did in the years I spent doing forensic psychological assessments for the courts, for example, and/or research, then a doctorate in psychology would suit you better.

There is a lot of responsibility invested in psychologists to care for their clients and do solid work based on empirically-validated methods. I'm always learning and striving, which I enjoy, but it also is something that is never "done."

The other challenge is that the emotional toll of being a psychologist is significant. It is important to implement a solid plan of caring for yourself, refueling, processing difficult feelings, and balancing out your work with time for family, personal interests, friends, etc. The work you do needs to be sustainable, and can't be done well if you are too tired, stressed, worn out, and so forth.

Yes, to be a psychologist, you need a doctorate-level degree. To practice psychology, you need a doctorate-level degree in Clinical Psychology.

Studying psychology can be an invigorating experience that may lead to many different career opportunities when you graduate. However, there are a few important points to consider before deciding to pursue a career in psychology.

First, psychology is a discipline where a graduate education is typically required to work in a counseling or therapy capacity. Many positions may require a master's or doctorate along with licensure, which can take time and effort to earn before paying dividends. Secondly, psychologists often deal with individuals who are going through difficult life circumstances, which can make their profession difficult and, at times, distressing. Given this, it's important to understand that becoming a psychologist takes time, and the work that these professionals do can be extremely challenging.

On the other hand, psychology is a field that is dedicated to better understanding the human condition and finding ways to help others navigate what may, at times, seem like insurmountable odds. A career in psychology can therefore be an extremely rewarding career for those who aspire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.