3 answers
Alexandra
Student
Patchogue, New York
1
Question
Updated
840 views
What is it like being a psychologist ?
I’m interested in doing something in a field like that and I love science what classes can I take to help get there.
3 answers
Daria Mikita
55
Answers
Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Daria’s Answer
Being a psychologist is a rewarding and fulfilling profession that involves helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being. Here are some aspects of what it's like to be a psychologist:
1. Education and Training: Becoming a psychologist typically requires a significant amount of education and training. It generally involves obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology (such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D.) after completing a bachelor's degree. This process often takes several years of study, research, and practical experience.
2. Specialization and Areas of Focus: Psychologists can specialize in various fields, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, or organizational psychology. Specializations determine the specific populations or issues they work with, such as children, adults, couples, or individuals with specific mental health conditions.
3. Client Interaction: Psychologists spend a significant amount of time working directly with clients. They conduct assessments, interviews, and therapeutic sessions to understand clients' concerns, diagnose mental health conditions, and develop treatment plans. They provide counseling, therapy, and interventions tailored to clients' specific needs and goals.
4. Empathy and Active Listening: Psychologists need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to empathize with others. They actively listen to their clients, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, emotions, and challenges. Building a trusting relationship is crucial for effective therapy.
5. Conducting Research: Many psychologists are involved in research activities, contributing to the advancement of psychological knowledge. They may conduct studies, collect data, analyze results, and publish their findings in academic journals. Research helps inform evidence-based practices and contributes to the understanding of human behavior and mental processes.
6. Collaboration and Consultation: Psychologists often collaborate with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, educators, and medical practitioners. They may participate in multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care or consult with other professionals regarding specific cases or interventions.
7. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Psychologists are committed to lifelong learning and staying updated on the latest research, therapeutic techniques, and ethical guidelines. They attend conferences, workshops, and engage in ongoing professional development activities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
8. Ethical Responsibilities: Psychologists adhere to strict ethical guidelines to ensure client confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries, and provide competent and ethical care. They are responsible for upholding the well-being and best interests of their clients.
Being a psychologist can be emotionally demanding at times, as psychologists often work with clients facing significant mental health challenges. However, it can also be immensely rewarding to witness the positive transformations and growth in clients' lives. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the well-being of others is a central aspect of the profession.
1. Education and Training: Becoming a psychologist typically requires a significant amount of education and training. It generally involves obtaining a doctoral degree in psychology (such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D.) after completing a bachelor's degree. This process often takes several years of study, research, and practical experience.
2. Specialization and Areas of Focus: Psychologists can specialize in various fields, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, or organizational psychology. Specializations determine the specific populations or issues they work with, such as children, adults, couples, or individuals with specific mental health conditions.
3. Client Interaction: Psychologists spend a significant amount of time working directly with clients. They conduct assessments, interviews, and therapeutic sessions to understand clients' concerns, diagnose mental health conditions, and develop treatment plans. They provide counseling, therapy, and interventions tailored to clients' specific needs and goals.
4. Empathy and Active Listening: Psychologists need strong interpersonal skills and the ability to empathize with others. They actively listen to their clients, creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, emotions, and challenges. Building a trusting relationship is crucial for effective therapy.
5. Conducting Research: Many psychologists are involved in research activities, contributing to the advancement of psychological knowledge. They may conduct studies, collect data, analyze results, and publish their findings in academic journals. Research helps inform evidence-based practices and contributes to the understanding of human behavior and mental processes.
6. Collaboration and Consultation: Psychologists often collaborate with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, educators, and medical practitioners. They may participate in multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care or consult with other professionals regarding specific cases or interventions.
7. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Psychologists are committed to lifelong learning and staying updated on the latest research, therapeutic techniques, and ethical guidelines. They attend conferences, workshops, and engage in ongoing professional development activities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
8. Ethical Responsibilities: Psychologists adhere to strict ethical guidelines to ensure client confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries, and provide competent and ethical care. They are responsible for upholding the well-being and best interests of their clients.
Being a psychologist can be emotionally demanding at times, as psychologists often work with clients facing significant mental health challenges. However, it can also be immensely rewarding to witness the positive transformations and growth in clients' lives. The opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the well-being of others is a central aspect of the profession.
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
362
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Alexandra:
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a psychology career. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a psychology career. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills. While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
Scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. Scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
Shelisa Henley
Child Psychologist
44
Answers
Warner Robins, Georgia
Updated
Shelisa’s Answer
Good Morning!! Most likely to Succeed!!! Everyone!!
Thank you for your Question!!
It is mostly likely to be found on trophy!!
Being a Psychologist is for me like riding a shooting star across the sky!!! It is a Dream come true for me!! And it is an Answered Prayer !!!I love it!! Doing what I love to do everyday is to me like Walking on Sun Shine !!! I enjoy helping people feel better about themselves ! That is Rewarding!!! In high school they introduced the course Introduction to Psychology !!!I started my career path by taking that course!!
You love Science that is A. World Record !! Lovin what you do is a key to success!!
Hope this helps!!
Good Luck!!!!
Shelisa🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
Thank you for your Question!!
It is mostly likely to be found on trophy!!
Being a Psychologist is for me like riding a shooting star across the sky!!! It is a Dream come true for me!! And it is an Answered Prayer !!!I love it!! Doing what I love to do everyday is to me like Walking on Sun Shine !!! I enjoy helping people feel better about themselves ! That is Rewarding!!! In high school they introduced the course Introduction to Psychology !!!I started my career path by taking that course!!
You love Science that is A. World Record !! Lovin what you do is a key to success!!
Hope this helps!!
Good Luck!!!!
Shelisa🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
Delete Comment
Flag Comment