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kiley
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what are the requirements to become a psychologist?
#clinical-psychology do you have to have a certain traits
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Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
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California, CA
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Doc’s Answer
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS
Individuals can work in the psychology field with different degree levels, but those who wish to practice independently need advanced schooling, the degree needed to be a psychologist is either a Master's or Doctorate. These degrees are necessary to become licensed or certified, which is a requirement to work as a psychologist.
UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGIST DEGREE
With a bachelor's degree in psychology, graduates can apply for a limited number of jobs with the federal government or work as assistants to psychologists. An undergraduate psychology degree can also prepare students for graduate programs. A bachelor's program in psychology usually includes courses in research methods and decision-making and core requirements in areas like developmental, social and clinical psychology.
MASTERS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
Individuals with a master's degree in psychology may qualify to work as industrial-organizational psychologists. Some states may approve candidates with master's degrees for licensure as school psychologists. Master's programs are offered in general psychology and in concentration areas. These programs include advanced courses in research, statistics and psychological methods, often requiring the completion of a thesis or comprehensive exam as the capstone requirement.
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
At the doctoral level, students can pursue psychologist study through a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) program. They might consider doctoral programs recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA), which accredits programs and internships for clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Most states require that people who run their own practice have a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and some state licensing committees additionally require that applicants hold a degree from an APA-accredited program. Ph.D. in Psychology programs are geared towards those candidates who are interested in research while Doctor of Psychology programs are best suited for the practice of psychology. Individuals can begin these programs after earning a master's degree or enter directly after undergraduate studies. Students who have already completed a master's program can count some of the credits toward the completion of their doctorate. Doctoral candidates must complete research, residencies or comprehensive exams, requirements vary by department. Students often work as teaching or research assistants in exchange for a stipend. School, clinical and counseling psychology programs could involve an extra year of supervised work experience, in addition to doctoral programs' five years of full-time study.
PSYCHOLOGIST EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Where does a psychologist work? Psychologists work in a variety of settings with individual patients, businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, communities, the government, the military, and many others. Most psychology professions require an advanced degree, such as a master's or a doctorate. During their training, psychologists choose an area of specialization. To work, a psychologist must often be licensed at the state or national level. The BLS expected psychologists to see employment growth of 14% between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for other careers. The average Psychologist - Ph.D salary in the United States is $104,000 as of September 25, 2020, but the range typically falls between $93,500 and $116,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Forensic psychologists work with law-enforcement personnel and act as experts in various legal cases. Particular tasks include assessing competency, working with child witnesses and performing psychological evaluations.
Clinical psychologists work to prevent, diagnose and treat mental disorders. These psychologists typically have their own offices and perform diagnostic exams on patients. They also work alongside doctors to determine the best course of treatment for particular patients.
School psychologists work with parents, teachers and students to foster learning, address school-related problems and promote a safe educational environment. A key role of school psychologists is to evaluate a student's special needs and accommodate them accordingly.
Developmental psychologists research changes in behavioral patterns over a person's life; some focus in on particular time periods, like infancy or adolescence. Developmental psychologists aim to correct behavioral disorders caused by improper development.
Research psychologists study the causes of particular behavioral patterns. They perform various lab tests on animals and humans and conduct trials with carefully controlled sample groups. They aim to learn how memory, thought and perception actually work.
Individuals can work in the psychology field with different degree levels, but those who wish to practice independently need advanced schooling, the degree needed to be a psychologist is either a Master's or Doctorate. These degrees are necessary to become licensed or certified, which is a requirement to work as a psychologist.
UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGIST DEGREE
With a bachelor's degree in psychology, graduates can apply for a limited number of jobs with the federal government or work as assistants to psychologists. An undergraduate psychology degree can also prepare students for graduate programs. A bachelor's program in psychology usually includes courses in research methods and decision-making and core requirements in areas like developmental, social and clinical psychology.
MASTERS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
Individuals with a master's degree in psychology may qualify to work as industrial-organizational psychologists. Some states may approve candidates with master's degrees for licensure as school psychologists. Master's programs are offered in general psychology and in concentration areas. These programs include advanced courses in research, statistics and psychological methods, often requiring the completion of a thesis or comprehensive exam as the capstone requirement.
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
At the doctoral level, students can pursue psychologist study through a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) program. They might consider doctoral programs recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA), which accredits programs and internships for clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Most states require that people who run their own practice have a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and some state licensing committees additionally require that applicants hold a degree from an APA-accredited program. Ph.D. in Psychology programs are geared towards those candidates who are interested in research while Doctor of Psychology programs are best suited for the practice of psychology. Individuals can begin these programs after earning a master's degree or enter directly after undergraduate studies. Students who have already completed a master's program can count some of the credits toward the completion of their doctorate. Doctoral candidates must complete research, residencies or comprehensive exams, requirements vary by department. Students often work as teaching or research assistants in exchange for a stipend. School, clinical and counseling psychology programs could involve an extra year of supervised work experience, in addition to doctoral programs' five years of full-time study.
PSYCHOLOGIST EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Where does a psychologist work? Psychologists work in a variety of settings with individual patients, businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, communities, the government, the military, and many others. Most psychology professions require an advanced degree, such as a master's or a doctorate. During their training, psychologists choose an area of specialization. To work, a psychologist must often be licensed at the state or national level. The BLS expected psychologists to see employment growth of 14% between 2018 and 2028, faster than average for other careers. The average Psychologist - Ph.D salary in the United States is $104,000 as of September 25, 2020, but the range typically falls between $93,500 and $116,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
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Thank You Peter. “Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much”. – Helen Keller
Doc Frick
Peter Swenson
Psychologist
2
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Peter’s Answer
John wrote a comprehensive answer about the steps one might take to become a Clinical Psychologist. The question appears to have also asked what traits one might need to possess, which is an excellent consideration. Since a Clinical Psychologist works directly with people either in assessment or in therapy a certain set of traits are important. These can be considered interpersonal skills that can be practiced such as empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. Anyone could become a client and people in need of help of been through things or done things that are hard to hear about. A Clinical Psychologist needs to have awareness of their own biases and of counter-transferences. you might work with people who trigger past issues or traumas. A Clinical Psychologist needs to be able to have a whole view of a person and not just on one or two symptoms and be able to remain flexible in thinking as people can be surprising and not always what they initially seem.
There are a number of good books to read, too many to list, about Client- or Person- Centered approaches to therapy and assessment.
There are a number of good books to read, too many to list, about Client- or Person- Centered approaches to therapy and assessment.