4 answers
Kailey
Student
Kerman, California
3
Questions
Updated
618 views
what are some things I should know before deciding to become a psychologist?
question i have for an assignment.
4 answers
Annette Daiell
Human Resources Mgr/Career Development
8
Answers
Roslyn, New York
Updated
Annette’s Answer
Great question! There are several areas in the field of psychology such as clinical psych, counseling psych and research as well as working in specific areas of mental health needs such as substance abuse, child psychology, etc. If you are looking to work in an institution or a hospital or social services agency, you must want to work directly with people hands-on in helping them manage their mental health problems. If that is not for you, you may want to move towards doing research in psychology which can also be very rewarding but much less hands-on. Also if you want to do individual therapy or work in a social services agency doing individual or group work, you can also take the road of getting a masters degree in social work, licensed in counseling or clinical social work and getting state certified.
LaTerricka Osborne
Delivery Associate
16
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
LaTerricka’s Answer
I would say mainly research the career you are looking into extensively first and see all the in and outs and gauge how you feel about the job after that because some aspects might be more difficult for you then others and you don't want to put yourself in a terribly unnecessary predicament. After you decide that even with the bad and good, think about how much of yourself you will be offering up to be successful. Are you okay with long hours of research? Can you talk and interview people of all types and have the patience to listen even if it might not be the best way to communicate to you? How are you going to keep your mental state in check while helping others do the same. Sometimes the urge to help can outweigh the consequences we face for trying to help so please think about these things before you decide on anything not just a psychologist.
Blanche Williams, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist
16
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Blanche’s Answer
Here are some very practical things you should know if you want to become a psychologist in the United States:
1. You don't have to major in psychology in college to be selected to enter a doctoral program in psychology, but you'll need to take plenty of psychology courses and be able to pass the GRE and the GRE's subject test in psychology.
2. It takes a great deal of time to become a psychologist. After earning a bachelor's degree, you'll spend 5 years or more working on your doctorate. If you're planning to practice as a clinical or counseling psychologist, you'll need to become licensed, which requires passing a national exam and fulfilling the specific requirements of the state in which you will practice. If psychology is what you really want to do, then all the time and effort are worth it.
3. Licenses to practice psychology are issued by individual states, so if you become licensed in one state and then decide to move to a different state, you may have to fulfill different requirements there before you can practice in that state.
4. Doctoral programs in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) focus on the science of psychology as well as psychotherapeutic practice. You'll take courses in areas such as social psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, brain science, research design, statistics, psychological assessment, etc. in addition to learning how to do psychotherapy.
5. If your interest is solely in doing psychotherapy or counseling, you can also look into master's degree programs in counseling or clinical social work.
1. You don't have to major in psychology in college to be selected to enter a doctoral program in psychology, but you'll need to take plenty of psychology courses and be able to pass the GRE and the GRE's subject test in psychology.
2. It takes a great deal of time to become a psychologist. After earning a bachelor's degree, you'll spend 5 years or more working on your doctorate. If you're planning to practice as a clinical or counseling psychologist, you'll need to become licensed, which requires passing a national exam and fulfilling the specific requirements of the state in which you will practice. If psychology is what you really want to do, then all the time and effort are worth it.
3. Licenses to practice psychology are issued by individual states, so if you become licensed in one state and then decide to move to a different state, you may have to fulfill different requirements there before you can practice in that state.
4. Doctoral programs in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) focus on the science of psychology as well as psychotherapeutic practice. You'll take courses in areas such as social psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, brain science, research design, statistics, psychological assessment, etc. in addition to learning how to do psychotherapy.
5. If your interest is solely in doing psychotherapy or counseling, you can also look into master's degree programs in counseling or clinical social work.
Ernesto Longhin
Psychologist
2
Answers
Mendoza, Mendoza Province, Argentina
Updated
Ernesto’s Answer
Hi Kailey,
Some things you should know before deciding to become a psychologist: the very first thing you should know before or when studying psychology is to be willing to know yourself. The more you know yourself the better and the easier will be to decide between the 56 topics included into the 56 divisions or specialties that this science has. Just take a look into the American Psychological Association's web site to get an idea of how vast and broad our science is. If you feel unsure to study or not this career, you can ask for the help of a psychologist or a counsellor and have some sessions to ask any questions you have about this career. You can also tell him or her about your fears and expectations about being a psychologist. But take into account that no one can give you any certainty about how you will feel about the career or whether you will like it or not. You have to do your very own experience. And this happens with any kind of career you would want to study.
You should also know that no two psychologists are alike. Each one is unique, unrepeatable and one of a kind. I mean, you surely can get a lot information when trying to answer your question, but you have to do that step. Give yourself the opportunity to start studying psychology. Do the experience. No one can do it for you. Be patient with yourself and all the answers will come up in time clearly (this is interesting: Firstly, all psychologists should be patients of themselves before seeing patients whatever their problem, or be researchers of themselves).
Finally, take into account that your question will be with you throughout your career. And that doesn't necessarily mean you had to know everything about being a psychologist before you became one. On the contrary, it will be a sign of health and maturity that you ask yourself this question all your life.
I hope this answer is useful for you.
Best wishes.
Ernesto
Some things you should know before deciding to become a psychologist: the very first thing you should know before or when studying psychology is to be willing to know yourself. The more you know yourself the better and the easier will be to decide between the 56 topics included into the 56 divisions or specialties that this science has. Just take a look into the American Psychological Association's web site to get an idea of how vast and broad our science is. If you feel unsure to study or not this career, you can ask for the help of a psychologist or a counsellor and have some sessions to ask any questions you have about this career. You can also tell him or her about your fears and expectations about being a psychologist. But take into account that no one can give you any certainty about how you will feel about the career or whether you will like it or not. You have to do your very own experience. And this happens with any kind of career you would want to study.
You should also know that no two psychologists are alike. Each one is unique, unrepeatable and one of a kind. I mean, you surely can get a lot information when trying to answer your question, but you have to do that step. Give yourself the opportunity to start studying psychology. Do the experience. No one can do it for you. Be patient with yourself and all the answers will come up in time clearly (this is interesting: Firstly, all psychologists should be patients of themselves before seeing patients whatever their problem, or be researchers of themselves).
Finally, take into account that your question will be with you throughout your career. And that doesn't necessarily mean you had to know everything about being a psychologist before you became one. On the contrary, it will be a sign of health and maturity that you ask yourself this question all your life.
I hope this answer is useful for you.
Best wishes.
Ernesto
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