Psychologists

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D.

Clinical psychologists have a doctorate-level education and clinical skills to support clients in their lives. These professionals can diagnose and treat mental illnesses and may also work in research environments or academia.

Psychologists go to school for about six to ten years. After hundreds of hours of supervised training, they may obtain a license to practice psychology and conduct assessments and evaluations. Psychologists use various techniques to treat their clients. Depending on each client's goals and concerns, a psychologist can determine the best treatment options.

What do psychologists do? 

Clinical psychologists support clients with mental health challenges and mental illnesses. For example, they may diagnose and treat conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder, among others. You can see a clinical psychologist in a private practice, low-cost clinic, or residential treatment center. Some psychologists work online or in a mental health group. 

You don’t have to have a mental illness to see a psychologist. Clinical psychologists can also treat common mental health challenges like stress, relationship conflict, and grief. By working with a psychologist, you can develop a personalized treatment plan together and find ways to meet your mental health goals.

What education level do psychologists have? 

Psychologists have graduate-level education and doctoral-level degrees, such as a Ph.D., PsyD, or EdD. They have one of the highest levels of knowledge of any role in the mental health profession outside of a psychiatrist. Often, these professionals spend over seven years in education receiving their degrees. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), over 106,000 psychologists work in the US.

How do psychologists hold assessments?

Psychologists are trained to administer assessments and evaluations to determine a client’s diagnosis and individual needs. When a psychologist conducts an assessment or evaluation, they assess how a person thinks or behaves to understand how to treat them best. They may be looking to develop a solid treatment plan for each client that considers their strengths, weaknesses, cognitive function, and personality characteristics.

Assessments can reveal much about an individual and contribute to their treatment plan. When you know a client’s problems, you can develop a comprehensive treatment approach and potentially refer them to outside treatment teams if applicable. Many assessments are available, including those that diagnose mental illness and those that may help clients with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, or sensory challenges.

How are psychologists trained? 

Becoming a psychologist can take time. If a person is interested in pursuing this line of work, they may be required to spend around eight years in school. Psychologists have doctorate degrees, which require four to six years of school after one’s undergraduate degree. However, individuals can become counselors or therapists with a master’s degree. Psychologists have a higher income than counselors and are more experienced.

Psychologists may be asked to complete courses like abnormal psychology and statistics and studies focused on human behavior and psychological assessment and theory. They’ll learn how to practice psychotherapy on both an individual level and a group level.

In graduate school, psychology students conduct research and teach. They participate in a year-long internship where they are closely supervised to obtain their license and must pass a national exam to get their license in the state where they will work. In the US, there are some states where psychologists can prescribe medication, but it depends on what advanced licensure courses they take and whether they have a master’s in psychopharmacology.

Where do psychologists work? 

Clinical psychologists can work in a private office, a low-cost clinic, a community clinic, or a location with a group of healthcare providers. You can also find psychologists in k-12 schools, universities, community colleges, prisons, and hospital environments. Some may choose to work at retirement centers, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.

Note that not all psychologists choose a clinical career. Some may work as professors, educators, scientists, or researchers.

What are the types of psychologists? 

Below are the several types of psychologists you might come across and the duties they often have.

Clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist has extensive training in administering assessments, diagnosing mental health conditions, and treating mental illnesses. They have completed thousands of hours of training under a licensed supervisor's supervision and are well-versed in understanding mental health conditions. They can work in private practices, clinics, or residential treatment centers, among other locations. Clinical psychologists differ from different types because they work primarily with clients in psychotherapy.

School psychologists

School psychologists may help children cope with complex emotional, academic, and social issues in a school environment. During the day, a school psychologist might see a child for acting out in the classroom or help a student by advising them about college plans. 

School psychologists can be an integral part of the academic world. They speak with teachers, parents, and other staff members who help children get the most out of their education. They may also consider the school and home environments when working with a student having emotional challenges at school. 

A school psychologist can provide intervention when a student has a mental health concern. They can give outside referrals for the student to get services such as individual psychotherapy. Some school psychologists conduct group psychotherapy in an academic setting.

Biopsychologists

Biopsychologists are also called “biological psychologists” or “physiological psychologists.” A biopsychologist can perform research on the human brain and may have some education in neurology. These professionals examine behavior based on biology and how people act, think, and feel. They may also study diseases that impact the brain, such as dementia.

Cognitive psychologists

Psychology is the study of human behavior. Cognitive psychologists specialize in observing how people behave and think. They investigate human behavior, cognition, decision-making, and how people solve challenges.

Community psychologists

Community psychologists are psychologists who research community health issues. There could be an epidemic that’s causing people to act in a particular way. You can find them working in a university setting and community organizations. Community psychologists are policy advisors, and they are also skilled researchers.

Developmental psychologists

Developmental psychologists focus on the development of the human mind and behavior from infancy to the end of life. They investigate issues such as aging, cognitive changes, language skills, and declining memory.

Educational psychologists

Educational psychologists examine social, cognitive, and emotional factors in educational settings. This type of psychologist can examine potential challenges with learning and academic progress. They can assist a child struggling with academic concerns by researching and providing interventions.

Forensic psychologists

Forensic psychologists look at the connection between psychology and the law. A forensic psychologist might be a consultant on a criminal case or assess if somebody is at risk of reoffending. Using their knowledge and training in court cases, they may provide expert testimony against a criminal.

Social psychologists

Social psychologists study groups of people and their behaviors. Social psychology aims to bridge the gap between sociology and psychology. These psychologists examine relationships between people and factors that might influence groups, such as prejudice, interpersonal relationships, aggression, and persuasion.

Military psychologists

Military psychologists practice psychology in a military environment such as an army or navy base. They can support soldiers at risk of mental health challenges during combat. An army psychologist can treat service people with various mental health conditions. They dedicate their careers to researching multiple aspects of the military lifestyle so they can serve their community best. They may also help military members transition back into society after service.

A day in the life of a psychologist

Psychologists often have demanding jobs. However, these jobs can also be rewarding. A psychologist studies the cognitive and emotional processes of humans. They often conduct their research through psychotherapy and observing human behavior. After reviewing these areas, they can make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for clients. They note how clients react in their environment and aim to understand their relationships.

During a day on the job, a psychologist may conduct psychotherapy sessions, assessments, evaluations, and interviews. They may take note of the client’s cognitive functioning, behavior, and patterns. They diagnose and treat mental health conditions, set up treatment plans, and make outside referrals to specialists. 

Some psychologists focus primarily on research. These individuals spend their days conducting research and writing papers and articles that can be published in journals. Many psychologists continue their education after school, taking continued education courses throughout the years to maintain their active license to practice.

A psychologist can evaluate a client’s behavior using talk therapy, assessments, or evaluations. They may conduct aptitude or personality assessments to determine a client’s mental state. If they don’t gather the necessary information or aren’t able to offer comprehensive support, they may refer the client to outside support systems, such as a psychiatrist or a specialist in a particular area. 

Psychologists are diagnosticians but offer much more. They help people examine their behavior and cope with challenging life circumstances. Those in the field of clinical psychology genuinely care about others and are fascinated with human behavior. Some psychologists focus on researching behaviors, and others work directly with people in their private practices.

What degrees can psychologists get? 

Psychologists have one of two degrees determining their title: a PsyD or a Ph.D. They can research in academia or practice as a therapist. PsyDs and Ph.Ds are prepared to diagnose and treat individuals with mental illness but differ in several ways.

A Ph.D. program in clinical psychology focuses on research and data analysis. In contrast, a PsyD in clinical psychology focuses more on applying their studies, like working in a clinical setting. A psychologist can pursue a myriad of options. They can teach and give professional presentations, research, provide psychotherapy, or administer assessments. A few specializations they may go into include the following:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Child and Adolescent Psychology
• Health Psychology

Psychologists vs. psychiatrists

Clinical psychologists can diagnose mental illnesses, whereas psychiatrists can diagnose mental illnesses and prescribe medication to treat a diagnosis. Psychiatrists have a medical degree (MD), and psychologists have a PsyD or Ph.D. degree. Psychologists focus on an individual's behavior, while a psychiatrist will combine the person’s actions with their biochemistry to devise a treatment plan.

Psychologists may focus more on helping clients make behavioral changes than seeking a medical option. They’re there to help you navigate difficult emotions and learn coping mechanisms to soothe challenging emotions without resorting to self-destructive behaviors. A psychiatrist may also offer psychotherapy, but some choose not to.

Psychologists vs. counselors 

The fundamental difference between a clinical psychologist and a counselor is the amount of education they receive. Both can diagnose and treat mental illnesses, but psychologists have more extensive education and capabilities. However, both professionals may be able to offer quality support through a variety of modalities.  

Support options 

If you want to work with a psychologist, you’re not alone. Psychologists work in many settings, including online. Through an online platform like BetterHelp, clients can get matched with a psychologist or therapist with expertise in their unique treatment goals or diagnoses. 

Some clients prefer online therapy to in-person options because it is often more convenient, flexible, and cost-effective. In addition, studies show that online therapy can be associated with higher rates of symptom reduction and quality of life.

Takeaway 

Psychologists are mental health professionals with a doctorate in psychology. These professionals can practice in various areas of mental health and have the education to diagnose and treat mental illness. To learn more about psychologists, consider looking through the above articles or contacting a psychologist for guidance and support.