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What are some jobs that will allow me to study and work with the criminally insane?

I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm very intrigued with the minds of criminals and I'm curious to get to the "why?" of crimes and how their minds work. I want to get an internship eventually and I don't know where to start looking or what place I would be working at.

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Annah’s Answer

Lyla, I think Chinyere did an awesome job of listing major choices! A few more thoughts- if you study forensic psychology, criminal justice, or intersecting topics, you will get a foundation in understanding how a person becomes involved in the justice system. Of course, psychopathy is a very specific topic! There are many reasons why someone commits a crime or crimes and yes, it is a very interesting subject to learn about. With an MA degree you can do work in the forensic sector; for instance, I have worked with county probation, federal probation, and county drug court. However, most of my patients were not "criminally insane," but dealing with a range of barriers and issues- internal and external. You can also work as a therapist within a jail or prison providing individual, group therapy, or diversion support. From what you stated, I suggest planning on at minimum, a master's degree. You can then apply to work with local police/law enforcement, probation, or with the FBI as an investigative agent. With a doctorate, you have more opportunity to specialize and a greater ability to clinically assess and treat individuals with severe mental illness and a history of extreme violence. This is definitely a niche within the field of psychology. The good thing is that you can plan out the trajectory of your education and job experience to match such interests!
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Lyla,

Good question!

Since you're interested in the criminally insane and understanding the "why" behind crimes, a few potential career paths you could explore include:

1. Forensic Psychologist: This involves working with law enforcement to assess the mental states of criminals, providing expert testimony, and understanding how mental illness impacts criminal behavior.

2. Criminal Profiler: Working for agencies like the FBI, profilers analyze crime scenes and behaviors to predict and identify potential criminals.

3. Clinical Psychologist (with a forensic focus): You could work in prisons, psychiatric hospitals, or rehabilitation centers, providing therapy or assessments for inmates with mental health issues.

4. Correctional Psychologist: These professionals work directly with incarcerated individuals, helping to treat mental health disorders and prepare them for reintegration into society.

For internships, start by reaching out to:
- Local law enforcement agencies for opportunities in crime analysis or victim services.
- Mental health clinics with a forensic or criminal focus.
- Psychiatric hospitals or forensic units that treat individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

In your junior or senior year, you could also contact university psychology or criminal justice departments that might offer shadowing or internship programs for high school students.

Best wishes!
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