What is a Psychologist? Return To "Our Practice"
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 provider fields provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings. Psychologists employed in applied settings, such as business, industry, government, or nonprofits, provide training, conduct research, design 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. In addition to working in a variety of settings, psychologists usually specialize in one of a number of different areas.
Clinical psychologists—who constitute the largest specialty—work most often in counseling centers, independent or group practices, hospitals, or clinics. They help mentally and emotionally disturbed 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, and neurological conditions. Others help people deal with times of 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 promote good health through health maintenance counseling programs designed to help people achieve goals, such as stopping smoking or losing weight. 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 providing direct services to special patient populations.
Educational Requirements
A master?s degree in psychology requires at least 2 years of graduate study and
qualifies a psychologist to work as an assistant under the supervision of
doctoral-level psychologists, and conduct research and psychological
evaluations. Requirements usually include practical experience and a master?s
thesis based on original research. Courses in psychology; biological, physical,
and social sciences; statistics, and mathematics are often required. A master?s
degree is required for industrial-organizational psychologists.
School psychologists must have a master?s degree and must complete a 1-year internship. They also often have an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.). Guidance counselors are usually required to have 2 years of graduate study and 1 year of counseling experience.
Clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists must have a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). A doctoral degree requires 5 to 7 years of graduate study. A Ph.D. requires a dissertation based on original research, and a Psy.D. requires practical work experience and examinations. They also must complete a 1-year internship.
Psychologists who offer patient care must meet certification and licensing requirements in the state in which they practice. Requirements include training, experience, an approved internship, and examinations. There are various boards (e.g., American Psychological Association, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, American Board of Professional Psychology) that offer accreditation to qualifying psychologists.