Ashley
When majoring in psychology do I have to work with medicine or can I just be a person who helps with issues but not deal with medicine ?
I'm a high school senior and wanted to major in this since I was a freshmen and I keep getting told that I would have to work with medicine. #doctor #psychology
3 answers
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hello Ashley,
The medical psychologist is a professional who observes, provides guidance and treatment through therapy in individuals with mental disorders, emotional conflicts, relationship issues and disorders of learning that lead to academic hardship to the student or to your family. This professional during graduation, has contact with disciplines of medicine, such as psychiatry, neuroscience, developmental pathology and neurobiology.
In order that the psychologist can treat the person, knowledge of medical conditions is necessary to develop the appropriate therapeutic intervention for the individual.
Among the workplaces of this professional are private practice, clinic, dispensary, school, NGO, companies, hospitals, mental health centers, academic or scientific laboratories.
Below is a link with useful information that can help to clarify your doubts:
http://study.com/directory/category/Psychology/Psychology_and_Human_Behavior/Medical_Psychology.html
Good studies, and good luck on your journey.
thank you! so is it only if you want to be a medical psychologist?
Nancy
Hello Nancy, A career as a psychologist enables these professionals to guide the individual to manage your conflicts, emotions, thoughts and beliefs. It is not the role of the psychologist medicate the person, but the psychiatrist who has a background in medicine. Howeverin the undergraduate in psychology, it is necessary that the student know about the mind pathologies and behavior in order that he can better understand the disorder or conflict brought by the person in the therapeutic clinic.
Daniela Silva
thanks for the answer
Maria
David Hale
David’s Answer
Ashley,
Psychologists do not prescribe medicine as a rule. Psychiatrists do.
Gary Petito
Gary’s Answer
Hi,
Great question, you have some good answers above just thought I would add to them. Psychologists are more of a social scientist, you can study psychology for 2/4/6 years and earn different degrees. Psychology can be used in almost any career - business, sales, social services, counseling, etc.
Psychiatry is more of a medical profession and Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors that do counseling, therapy and can prescribe medicine.
Hope this helps...good luck!