Psychology

by Caroline Fong

There is still a lot of stigma about mental health problems. Some people may think that psychology and counseling is only for “crazy” people, but they are not correct. Psychologists help people deal with challenges in their everyday lives. For instance, a psychologist might work with a client dealing with grief after they have just lost a loved one. Psychologists may work with people who had survived extreme abuse and trauma, and are struggling with depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Psychology is a competitive field to enter, but employment keeps growing due to increased demand for the practice.

A doctoral degree, mater’s degree or a bachelor’s degree qualifies a person to practice psychology. A doctoral degree is usually required for independent employment, which takes 5 to 6 years of graduate study. A master’s degree allows for industrial-organizational work or work under a doctoral-level psychologist. A bachelor’s degree allows assistance to psychologists and other professionals.

Psychology is divided into many practices. Clinical psychology helps patients who are mentally and emotionally disturbed. Health psychologists help people make better decisions about their health and promote good health. Neuropsychologists study the relation between the brain and behavior and geropsychologists deal with special problems faced by the elderly. Counseling psychologists, as the name suggests, advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday living through counseling.

School psychologists operate in schools where they work with teachers, parents, and others that work in the school to create healthy and supportive learning environments. Industrial-organizational psychologists use psychology in their workplace in principles and research methods to improve productivity and the quality of work life. Developmental psychologists study the different developments throughout life (physiological, cognitive, and social development). Social psychologists observe and analyze interactions between people with others and the social environment. Experimental or research psychologists work in university and private research centers, business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. They study the behavior of human beings and animals.

In May of 2004, the average annual earnings of wage and salary clinical, counseling, and school psychologists were $54, 950 and $71, 400 for industrial-organizational psychologists. Psychologists work in diverse fields and can help in many ways. Entering this field may be competitive, but rewarding spiritually and financially.