Psychologists

Career summary

#No alternate titles CJ

There are three major types of psychologists:

• Research
• Counseling
• Applied

Research psychologists

Research psychologists study people and behavior. They study what people think, do, and feel. For example, they study what motivates people to act or think in certain ways. Much of their work involves:

• Designing studies
• Collecting data
• Analyzing the results

They interpret their results for others and use their own or other researchers' theories to explain their findings. Research psychologists talk to peers, attend seminars, and read professional journals.

Counseling psychologists

Counseling and clinical psychologists help people solve life and mental health problems. They begin by determining the level of a patient's troubles. They ask patients questions. They may also have patients take psychological tests.

Psychologists tailor treatment plans to meet the needs of each patient. In general, counseling psychologists work with people who have temporary problems, such as adjusting to changes in life. Clinical psychologists are more likely to work with people who have deeper, ongoing struggles and conflicts.

Some psychologists dedicate their practice to one treatment method, such as psychoanalysis. Others use whatever method works best for each client. Some focus their work on specific groups, such as children, adolescents, or the elderly.

Applied psychologists

Applied psychologists apply psychological theories and research to real life situations. They work in health and human services, management, and education.

Educational psychologists focus on ways to improve the teaching and learning process. They may look at what effect factors such as culture, poverty, and teaching styles have on school achievement. They consult with teachers, staff, and peers to develop teaching strategies and school programs.

Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologists apply principles of psychology to the work place. Their goal is to increase productivity and the quality of work life. They commonly serve as human resources specialists.

Related careers

This career is part of the Human Services cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Addictions Counselors
• Clergy
• Genetic Counselors
• Instructional Coordinators
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Counselors
• Psychiatrists
• School Counselors
• School Psychologists
• Social Workers

Military careers

• Psychologists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to psychologists.

• Design research studies, collect and analyze data, and interpret findings.
• Gather information from many sources before setting up programs or treatment methods.
• Choose, give, and score psychological tests.
• Conduct individual and group meetings. Help clients understand problems, define goals, and plan changes.
• Observe individuals, groups, and systems. Check with various resource aids to identify problems and plan treatments.
• Offer plans to clients about ways to achieve goals in the classroom or at work.
• Design research methods that are appropriate for the client's questions.
• Evaluate how target populations respond to treatments or programs, using surveys or tests. Revise treatment plans as needed.
• Update knowledge by talking to peers, attending seminars, and reading professional journals.

Common work activities

Psychologists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Document and record information
• Coach others
• Assist and care for others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Analyze data or information
• Teach others
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Use computers
• Develop goals and strategies
• Think creatively
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Develop and build teams
• Process information
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Evaluate information against standards
• Schedule work and activities
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Perform for or work with the public

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, psychologists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of job-required social interaction. They work closely with clients.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone, face-to-face discussions, and e-mail. They often write letters and memos, but less frequently.
• Often work as part of a medical team.
• Are sometimes in conflict situations when people are upset or angry.
• Sometimes deal with angry or rude people who may not agree with suggested changes.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors in hospitals, schools, industries, counseling centers, and other settings.
• May work physically near patients. They may come within a few feet, especially during counseling sessions.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger the health and well-being of their clients.
• Repeat the same activities.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that greatly impact patients and their families. They usually act independently, meaning they don't seek advice from a superior first.
• Set nearly all of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a superior first.
• Must meet strict daily and weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work full time or part time.
• May work days, evenings, or weekends to meet deadlines or accommodate clients.

Physical demands

Psychologists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for psychologists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for psychologists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

Skills and abilities

Psychologists need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Behavioral Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Counseling Psychology
• Psychology, General
• School Psychology

Other programs of study to consider

• Addiction Counseling
• Art Therapy
• Biopsychology
• Educational Psychology
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Gerontology
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Neuroscience
• Organizational Behavior
• School Counseling
• Social Work

Training

To work as a psychologist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree;
• have at least a master's degree in psychology;
• complete an internship if you do counseling; and
• pass a licensing exam if you do counseling.

Education after high school

Most psychologists earn a doctoral degree (PhD). You need this degree if you are going to do counseling. As a doctoral student, you can focus in areas such as school counseling or clinical psychology. If you want to teach at a college or university, you almost always need a PhD.

Some psychologists have just a master's degree. If you are an industrial-organizational psychologist this is the required degree in the field. For most other types of psychologists, a master's degree prepares you to be an assistant, but not the lead research or counselor.

A bachelor's degree in psychology is a good foundation for many occupations outside of psychology. However, within psychology your options are limited if you have only a bachelor's degree. You can be an assistant to a researcher or counselor.

On-the-job training

Clinical and counseling psychology students complete an internship while in school. As an intern, you work with clients and an experienced psychologist supervises your work. Internships last from one to two years depending on the degree you are earning. An internship is usually required to become a licensed psychologist.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training to become a psychologist. However, it can provide work experience to those who have at least a master's degree in this field.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anthropology
• Child Development
• Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Parenting
• Psychology
• Sociology

Many psychologists are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require clinical and counseling psychologists to have a PhD or PsyD. They also must have completed an internship. Employers also require psychologists who work with clients to be licensed.

Employers require educational psychologists to have at least a master's degree and have completed a one-year internship. Most industrial/organizational psychologists need a master's degree.

Employers prefer candidates who receive their training from accredited programs. Employers prefer people who are emotionally stable and can work well with people. They prefer people who are sensitive to the experiences of others. Counselors and clinicians must be able to inspire or motivate others. Research psychologists should be able to do detailed work on their own and as part of a team.

Experienced workers are hired based on a combination of experience and education. Experience as a teacher may be helpful in some settings.

Tips

Volunteering at a mental health center, crisis clinic, or psychiatric hospital may be helpful. Courses in social and behavioral sciences as well as activities in cooperative work experience are beneficial.

Costs to workers

Some psychologists may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

#removed info on school psychology cert as is covered in separate occupational description lh 3/16

Licensing/certification

Psychologists who offer services directly to the public (for example, clinical psychologists in private practice) must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Health.

General requirements are:

• approved doctoral degree in psychology, which includes completion of an internship;
• two years of post-degree supervision in the professional area(s) in which the applicant intends to practice;
• successful completion of the Examination in Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) exam and state jurisprudence written exam;
• seven hours of AIDS education and training; and
• payment of application and renewal fees.

Once they have received their license, psychologists must complete 60 hours of continuing education every three years, including four hours in ethics.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Board of Psychology 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
360.236.4700

For information on the licensing examination, contact the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards .

# Unless I misunderstood, post-degree supervision changed from 12 months to the above, rest of info the same, 3/19/19 cj. 2/10/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Clinical Psychologists 
• Counseling Psychologists 
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The psychologist's experience and reputation also affect wages.

Salaried psychologists who work full time usually receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed psychologists must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 30% of psychologists are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Counseling centers
• Social service agencies
• Outpatient mental health centers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will grow faster average. New federal health care laws mean that more people can seek mental health services. Businesses will hire industrial-organizational psychologists to help increase productivity.

Job prospects will be best for psychologists with a doctorate (PhD). Those who have a master's degree in clinical or industrial-organizational psychology should also have good job opportunities. There may be strong competition for jobs as there are many qualified people in this field.

Other resources

American Psychological Association 
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
800.374.2721

Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence 

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards 
PO Box 849
Tyrone, GA 30290
678.216.1175

Careers in Psychology 

Considering a Career in Psychology? 
(from the American Psychological Association)

Explore Health Careers: Psychologist 

National Academy of Sciences Interviews 

Online Psychology Career Center 

Psych Web 

Social Psychology Network 

Washington State Psychological Association 
9 South Washington Street, Suite 201
Spokane, WA 99201
206.547.4220

References

Career cluster

• Human Services

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupations

• Clinical Psychologists (19-3031.02) 
• Counseling Psychologists (19-3031.03) 
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (19-3032.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Clinical Psychologist (045.107-022) 
• Clinical Therapist (045.107-050) 
• Psychologist, Chief (045.107-046) 
• Psychologist, Counseling (045.107-026) 
• Psychologist, Educational (045.067-010) 
• Psychologist, Engineering (045.061-014) 
• Psychologist, Industrial-organizational (045.107-030) 
• Psychologist, School (045.107-034) 
• Psychometrist (045.067-018) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Psychologist

Holland occupational clusters

• Investigative/Enterprising/Artistic
• Investigative/Enterprising/Social
• Investigative/Social/Artistic
• Social/Investigative/Artistic

COPSystem

• Science Professional
• Service Professional