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Mackaylia
Student
North Port, Florida
1
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What kind of emotional toll does being a Criminal psychologist bring and how do you handle that?
I am a high school senior who currently plans on attending university to become a Criminal Psychologist. Although I want to pursue this career, I am quite a sensitive and emotional person, and I am worried that will get in the way of my work and personal life. Being a criminal psychologist is my dream career, and I want to make sure I can pursue it without feeling strong emotional feelings.
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Michelle M.
Actress
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mackaylia !
This is an interesting question.
You would be a Psychologist, not a criminal Psychologist. It's great that you are reaching out about a career in the mental health field.
A Bachelors Degree in Psychology as well as a Masters Degree in Psychology will be required. Not degrees in Criminal Justice as that won't prepare you to be a Psychologist. No one can assure you that you won't find discomfort with being a psychologist. It depends on the person, but you have stated that you are quite sensitive and an emotional person. I think you may have some insight but not a full understanding of this career.
You would not be working only with criminals. Courts, Attorneys and Police Departments sometimes hire psychologists for a day or however many times they need them. It's not like you'll get a job 8 hours a day in a court or police department. That's not how it works. All you'd be doing for the court, an Attorney or police department would be interviewing the criminal for a psych eval and writing a report that you give to the person who hired you. If you are hired to be an expert witness presenting psychological information in court, that is big money ! In the meantime, you'd be working in a clinic, hospital or mental health facility. In this practice, you may have patients that have a criminal history but they are seeing you for something different.
You will need to know the functioning of the brain, the social, biological, environmental and physiological aspects of human behavior, theories and therapy techniques, and everything about all psychotropic medications. As of this year, a bill was passed that allows Psychologists in Florida to prescribe medication if they meet certain requirements. You will also need to be expert with testing patients and diagnosing them for cognitive disabilities. When you graduate your Masters Program in Psychology, you will be qualified to work with any patient after you go for your Psychologist License. You will need to want to work with all populations because you'll need to make a living in your career.
Not only is the academic path for this career a test for anyone's nerves, the career can be very taxing emotionally and physically. You will hear things from your patients that you never thought possible. Some of your patients will be severely, chronically mentally ill. You really have to have a strong constitution for this work.
So think about it more. Be true to yourself and if you do not think you are ready for this career, it's okay to do something more pleasant and less potentially traumatizing. College can be expensive so be sure in your heart and mind as to what degree you go for.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
This is an interesting question.
You would be a Psychologist, not a criminal Psychologist. It's great that you are reaching out about a career in the mental health field.
A Bachelors Degree in Psychology as well as a Masters Degree in Psychology will be required. Not degrees in Criminal Justice as that won't prepare you to be a Psychologist. No one can assure you that you won't find discomfort with being a psychologist. It depends on the person, but you have stated that you are quite sensitive and an emotional person. I think you may have some insight but not a full understanding of this career.
You would not be working only with criminals. Courts, Attorneys and Police Departments sometimes hire psychologists for a day or however many times they need them. It's not like you'll get a job 8 hours a day in a court or police department. That's not how it works. All you'd be doing for the court, an Attorney or police department would be interviewing the criminal for a psych eval and writing a report that you give to the person who hired you. If you are hired to be an expert witness presenting psychological information in court, that is big money ! In the meantime, you'd be working in a clinic, hospital or mental health facility. In this practice, you may have patients that have a criminal history but they are seeing you for something different.
You will need to know the functioning of the brain, the social, biological, environmental and physiological aspects of human behavior, theories and therapy techniques, and everything about all psychotropic medications. As of this year, a bill was passed that allows Psychologists in Florida to prescribe medication if they meet certain requirements. You will also need to be expert with testing patients and diagnosing them for cognitive disabilities. When you graduate your Masters Program in Psychology, you will be qualified to work with any patient after you go for your Psychologist License. You will need to want to work with all populations because you'll need to make a living in your career.
Not only is the academic path for this career a test for anyone's nerves, the career can be very taxing emotionally and physically. You will hear things from your patients that you never thought possible. Some of your patients will be severely, chronically mentally ill. You really have to have a strong constitution for this work.
So think about it more. Be true to yourself and if you do not think you are ready for this career, it's okay to do something more pleasant and less potentially traumatizing. College can be expensive so be sure in your heart and mind as to what degree you go for.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !