If you’re interested in pursuing clinical psychology, you should be familiar with the academic path that you’ll take. Clinical psychology is a rewarding career, but it’s a demanding study that will take years to complete. In fact, clinical psychology requires some of the most years of study compared to other branches, as you will need a doctorate degree as well as the necessary certification according to your state. However, if you work hard, study regularly and maintain your patience, the hard work will pay off and you’ll be able to enjoy a flexible, rewarding and lucrative career.

Bachelor’s Program

After completing 4 years of high school, you will select a university where you can pursue a bachelor’s in psychology. Although many universities offer psychology programs, it’s important to choose a school that offers high-quality psychology programs that will allow you to expand in the field of clinical psychology. For example, some universities have concentrations that examine specific areas in depth. Therefore, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in a specific field.

Thanks to today’s technology-driven world, you can also pursue a bachelor’s degree online. Online programs are flexible and designed with working adults in mind. The advantage is that no matter where you live, you can choose any online program in the country, allowing you to be accepted in a quality psychology program without having to leave your work or family obligations.

During your undergraduate studies, make sure that you take advantage of internships. The more hands-on experience you can get, the better. You may also inquire about whether or not your psychology professor needs an assistant. Not only will you receive the practical experience that can be added onto your resume and referred back to during interviews, but also you’ll be expanding your circle and building relationships with those who can be an asset to you.

Master’s Program

When you have completed your bachelor’s degree in psychology, it’s time to apply to a graduate school where you will earn your master’s degree. Students pursue either a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Psychology. Unlike bachelor’s programs that are more generalized in nature, master’s programs are specific. Always look for programs that are accredited as well, as this ensure that the program follows a specific set of standards.

When you know that clinical psychology is the field you want to study, you will delve deeper into research and statistical courses as well as classes that focus on the scientific nature of the human mind. Many programs also require that students write a thesis. While studying a master’s program, you will be aligning yourself with a doctorate program to complete your studies.

Doctorate Program

The final step of your academic experience will be a doctorate program. You can pursue either a PsyD or PhD, with the PsyD focusing more on the therapeutic angle of psychology, while the PhD places more emphasis on the research and scientific studies surrounding human behavior. The path you take should reflect the area of clinical psychology you want to work in. For example, if you want to teach at a university, a PhD is best. If you want to provide patients with psychotherapy, a PsyD is best.

Generally speaking, students in a PsyD program will finish their study sooner, as it takes an average of 4 to 6 years to complete. A PhD takes approximately 5 to 7 years to complete. When added with 4 years in a bachelors program and 2 to 3 years in a master’s program, you’re looking at 10 to 14 years of school in order to become a clinical psychologist.

Licensing

In addition to your educational experience and hands-on studies, you will also need to obtain the necessary licenses and certification in your state to legally practice clinical psychology. An oral and written exam will also be required by your state. Once you have become legally licensed and certified, you can begin your search for jobs in schools, mental health facilities and private practices.

If you thrive off of interaction, don’t think that online programs are void of this. Many programs have options for students so that they can enjoy the best of both worlds: an online-based program that integrates live instruction. With online programs, you also have the option to choose any program that fits your needs since location is not a factor.

Below are the top five schools for online psychology programs. All schools are accredited, and their rankings take into consideration various factors, such as reputation, academic quality and student satisfaction.

1. Arizona State University
The Wall Street Journal ranks ASU as the one of the top five schools favored by employers for job recruiting. U.S. News and World Reports listed ASU as the #4 “Up-and-Coming Schools” in 2012. With growing appreciation for Arizona State, this is a wonderful university to attend for online psychology, and it’s one of the most affordable choices as well. The school currently offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development. It’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

2. Walden University
Walden University is highly regarded for its online programs, and their psychology program is no exception. The school has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report and was ranked #14 by the Online Education Database. The university has a wide range of programs, offering a Master of Science degree in Psychology, with 12 different concentrations that include Social Psychology and Media Psychology. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

3. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Although its roots are in Chicago, the university has campuses on the East and West coasts. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in various concentrations, including Sports and Exercise, Organizational Leadership and Gerontology. It’s not just the concentrations that are unique but the format of the programs as well. Most of the concentrations can be completed in 2 years at a part-time commitment. There are also options for accelerated programs, as well as virtual formats where students can engage in online discussions.

4. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University has a strong reputation in the field of psychology. It was rated a Tier 1 university by U.S. News and World Report, and rated as a “Best Buy” by GetEducated.com. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development. The programs are affordable, and the school has further concentrations in Mental Health and Forensic Society. It is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

5. University of Massachusetts
One of the most popular degree programs at UMass is psychology. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, as well as multiple masters programs in therapy and counseling. The school was ranked as one of the top 100 universities with U.S. News and World Report. What makes this university unique is that it offers various programs that combine live and online formats so that students can engage in online discussions. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

TheBestColleges.org and SuperScholar.org contributed to this article.

What are the Average Salaries of Psychology Professionals?

The three largest employment areas of psychology include clinical, counseling and school psychology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for these fields in 2010 was $68,640. The highest 10 percent earned more than $111,810, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,200. Naturally, there are many factors that affect what the salary of a psychologist will be, including years of experience, the region of the country, the type of practice and educational background.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that psychologists who work in outpatient care centers make an average of $59,130, while those who work for individual or family services bring home $57,440. Elementary and secondary school psychologists make an average of $65,710, while state government employees take home a median salary of $63,710. The offices of other health practitioners can also bring home a substantial salary of $68,400. Industrial and organizational psychology is a rapidly growing sector where the median salary is $77,010.

While the numbers do vary according to the type of practice, it’s safe to say that those individuals who choose a career in psychology can expect a respectable salary. Clinical psychologists are at the top of the earnings, followed by cognitive psychologists, developmental psychologists and engineering psychologists. Some of the lower paid psychologists include sports psychologists, social workers and substance abuse counselors, and these salaries waiver in the $40’s and $50’s.

Will the Region I Practice in Affect My Salary?

It’s always important to look at the various factors that affect a psychologist’s salary. Region is a main proponent, with New Jersey, Arizona and Colorado being the best states for high-paying salaries. Some of the lowest paying states for psychology professionals include New Mexico and Rhode Island.

Sometimes, it may be a specific field that pays exceptionally well in a particular state, as is the case with industrial psychologists in Florida who are paid an average salary of $126,640. The same goes for industrial psychologists in Minnesota; they bring home an average of $124,430. The region that you plan to practice in will be a main indicator of how much you make.

How Will My Experience Affect My Salary?

Experience is another critical component of what your earnings will be, something that matters with most careers. The good news is that the more education and experience you achieve, the better your salary will be. With a bachelor’s degree, psychologists have an average annual earnings of $34,000. A master’s degree brings you to an average of $43,151, and an additional 20 years of experience with a master’s offers an average salary of $74,433.

There are some professionals who go on to pursue a doctorate, and you can make an average of $86,120 with this type of educational experience. In an economic climate where competition for jobs is steep, there is a greater number of aspiring psychologists choosing to pursue a doctorate to secure their position in the field.

While there are certainly many factors that play a role in the median annual salary for a psychologist, you can see that this career is lucrative and offers substantial salary rewards, especially with greater education and experience.

A General Look at the Role of the Psychologist

Generally, psychologists conduct evaluations and psychological testing to distinguish what clients are struggling with. Once they make their diagnosis, psychologists provide therapy sessions that can be done on an individual, couple or group basis. This “talk therapy” is crucial to the client’s healing and takes place with the psychologist asking questions for the client to reflect on. Not only does the psychologist learn more about the client during these therapy sessions, but the client learns about him or herself.

Psychologists must also collaborate with others, such as family members, doctors and teachers. Depending on the client and the type of care being received, the psychologist will be responsible for relaying all information, including the diagnosis, treatment and progress being made by the client. Psychologists may also work with this team to devise new treatment plans.

Since there are many specialty areas, the above information is a general overview of clinical psychologists, which make up the majority of these professionals. Consider that research and experimental psychologists spend time conducting studies, observing behavior and surveying populations. Industrial-organizational psychologists are brought into companies to help them boost employee morale and productivity. Counseling psychologists handle everyday problems like divorce, job changes or losing a loved one as opposed to severe mental disorders.

Even with all the differences among the various specialty areas, there is one factor that all psychologists share: the interest and appreciation for learning about human behavior and how it is influenced from the world around us.

Assessing the Patient

Assessing patients is an important part of a psychologist’s responsibility since this will determine a diagnosis and treatment program for the client. Assessments are critical evaluations of the client, and the information is drawn from interviews, observations and IQ, aptitude and achievement tests. What the psychologist hopes to gather from the assessment is the cause for the behavior, the severity of the problem and the effects the mental condition may be placing on the client’s lifestyle. This information will also be shared with other significant individuals that the client is being treated by.

Intervention and Treatment

Once a diagnosis is made, intervention and treatment will begin. There are many different approaches toward treating clients, such as psychotherapy, group therapy or behavior modification. The type of treatment provided is dependent on the client’s issues and the training of the psychologist. Generally speaking, psychologists encourage clients to engage in several types of therapy for a more complete treatment program. For example, the client may have one-on-one sessions with the psychologist, talking out feelings and building a sense of trust. The client may then participate in group therapy sessions to help them relate to others with the same issues. Or, the client may meet with their family several times a month to talk things out in a non-biased, neutral setting.

Collaboration with the Medical Community

It’s important to note that psychologists are not medical doctors and therefore cannot treat clients with medications. Psychologists earn either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. in doctorate school, but only medical doctors, or M.D.s, can prescribe medications. This is one of the reasons why psychologists must collaborate with other medical professionals, as each person plays an important role in the treatment of the patient. The psychologist assesses the patient, writes up a diagnosis and implements a treatment plan and then may suggest that the client see a psychiatrist to prescribe medication. This collaboration is an ongoing effort as everyone works together as a team.

Following Ethical Standards and Principles

Psychologists must follow the ethical standards and principles set forth by the APA. The most significant responsibility the psychologist has is to minimize harm to their clients, otherwise known as nonmaleficence. Psychologists must have the best interest for their patients and diagnose and treat them accordingly. At the same time, psychologists should apply the ethical principles of beneficence, which means that the patients receive the maximum benefits. It can be difficult to balance both ends of the spectrum, but ultimately, psychologists need to provide their clients with the best treatment possible without causing harm.

With the nature of work that psychologists perform, it’s especially important that they employ honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. These qualities are not only crucial during therapy sessions but also outside them. Psychologists do not steal, engage in fraud or provide false information. They strive to keep their promises by establishing a trustworthy framework to succeed in. Psychologists will not over-commit either, since they know they have to remain as dependable as possible.

Even though psychologists must keep their clients’ sessions confidential, they also have a duty to warn. This means that if the client says something that is of danger to themselves or others in society, the psychologist has a right to share this information with the proper authorities. Finally, psychologists have a responsibility to deliver the same standard of care to all patients, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion.

It’s obvious that psychologists have significant responsibilities to follow while continuing to maintain their honesty and integrity. This role can be substantial at times, but it’s certainly one of the most rewarding experiences in one’s work career.

It’s important to know what will be expected of you as you move along in your career path so that you align your expectations with your goals. While psychology is a rewarding career path, it comes with challenging phases that professionals should be prepared for. Some clients may be severely mentally ill, require long and tiresome therapy sessions and show little improvement over time.

An Understanding of Human Relations

Psychologists require an understanding of human relations because they work with people on a regular basis. Having strong interpersonal skills in an integral part of helping others work through their problems. When you see a client who is struggling with marriage troubles, accepting the death of a loved one or adjusting to a new workplace, you must be able to put yourself in their shoes and understand what they’re going through. Most individuals in this profession have a general interest in helping others, which proves to be increasingly important as time goes on.

Sometimes, working with clients isn’t exactly clear cut. There may be gray areas that arise as the psychologist gets to know their client better. If you find that a client is a threat to oneself or others, you have a right of duty to report this information. If your client wants to pursue a further relationship, this is cause for concern as well. As you exercise your interpersonal skills and treat your clients with respect, you must also follow the ethical standards and avoid situations where your level of objectivity will be lowered.

Confidentiality

Another expectation of psychologists is to keep all information confidential and protect clients’ privacies. This should be discussed early on with your clients as you detail what is expected of you and your client. There are limits for example, as you will be able to disclose certain pieces of information to certain individuals. Generally, these are only situations where the client is at risk for dangerous behavior. Nevertheless, the goal is to protect your client’s privacy and create a secure, confidential setting that will establish a trusting relationship. Not only does this mean keeping therapy sessions intimate but also keeping records secure and private.

Consent Before Starting Treatment

It is expected that psychologists share with their clients the possible consequences before starting any treatment program. It doesn’t matter what type of work is being done, whether it’s observing human behavior, assessing a client or providing therapy. Think of it as an outline or syllabus where the details of the study or treatment will be sketched out, with the possible risks or consequences included. This protects you and your practice as well as gives clients an opportunity to ask questions or terminate treatment if they don’t feel comfortable going further.

Active Listening

If you ask any psychologist who regularly works with clients, they’ll tell you that you need the “gift of attention.” It may sound easy at first, especially if you don’t mind listening to your friends and family talk about their problems. Yet this can get exhausting quickly, especially as you cycle through multiple clients in a day. As the psychologist, you should always listen to your clients. There are physical ways to show that you’re listening such as asking questions, paraphrasing and taking notes. Body language is important, too. Lean forward, nod your head or chuckle if your client says something funny. These are effective ways to show you’re actively listening.

Providing Documentation

Taking notes is a fundamental part of your day. You will spend time taking notes during the therapy sessions to ensure you are gathering important information. The types of notes you choose to take is based on what you find is significant and what should be shared with the client’s care team, if there is one. Not all psychologists take notes, however, so if you feel that you best connect with clients by listening only, you may do so. Yet many psychologists choose to scribble down a few important “notes to self” that they can return to later. These notes can also prove beneficial as you meet with the client in subsequent sessions. Notes are not the only type of documentation you’ll need; you’ll also need to keep patient records updated, report progress, share diagnoses and suggest further treatment programs.

Helping Clients Reach Insight

The ultimate goal of therapy is to help clients reach the point of insight where they realize why they’ve been feeling or acting a particular way. This is where the biggest changes start to happen and the client is “healed.” Some clients continue to need therapy for the rest of their lives while others complete the treatment. Both outcomes are perfectly normal.

Your role as a psychologist should be to help your clients reach insight, but this doesn’t necessarily come easy and it won’t happen with every client. You must be prepared for all outcomes and to suggest further treatment programs that may be successful. This is where collaboration comes into play, as you may have to work with other doctors to create a successful treatment approach that includes psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes.

Insight comes at different times for different people. Generally, you’ll find that your clients will need time to open up, share their story and feel heard. They will eventually begin to feel so comfortable that they will start telling their story through body language instead of just words. This is when clients are most vulnerable and have acceptance over their actions and feelings. After these two stages have been met, insight can occur. This is where clients finally understand things and can take the necessary steps toward preventing the same feelings and behaviors in the future. While not all clients will reach this stage, it’s expected that you strive for it with each and every client.

No matter which branch of psychology you choose to pursue, there are distinct similarities between all psychology professions. Psychologists all share the same interest in studying human behavior and the human mind. They evaluate the physical, emotional, social and cognitive factors of our existence. And while psychology has gained a reputation for being therapeutic, it’s actually an in-depth branch of science that is built on the foundation of laboratory experiments, research and design and statistical findings.

Below are the various types of psychologists and the types of work they perform.

Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists interview patients, perform diagnostic tests and provide psychotherapy. They work in a variety of work settings such as clinics, counseling centers, hospitals and private or group practices. Clinical psychologists play a large role in the psychological healing of their patients. They often collaborate with other doctors to develop treatment plans and implement behavior modification. The problems they treat range from social disorders to family dysfunction to pain management. Even though the problems they treat are comprehensive, most clinical psychologists deal with severe mental illnesses instead of everyday problems. Some clinical psychologists step away from the direct relationship with the patient and instead teach courses at the college level and administer mental health programs.

Counseling Psychologists

Counseling psychologists are often thought of as generalist psychologists. They have versatile training that spans across basic therapeutic skills and ways to cope with everyday problems and emotions. It is possible for counseling psychologists to specialize in a particular area, but generally these professionals focus on emotional, social, educational, vocational and developmental concerns. Like clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists will perform diagnostic tests, assess the patient and devise a treatment plan. They consult with agencies such as schools or government, and they may also conduct research and teach at the collegiate level. Therapeutic techniques are the basis for counseling psychologists, as these professionals spend much of their time directly working with patients.

School Psychologists

School psychologists are those that work in elementary and secondary schools. They resolve the problems that students have and teach them ways to cope with behavioral problems. School psychologists are the liaison between the student and their support network, so these individuals play a key role in communicating and relaying information to teachers, school staff and parents. School psychologists are familiar with the school setting and evaluate the various programs, services and behavior modification methods to ensure they are meeting the needs of the student. Ultimately, they help children succeed academically, socially and emotionally by strengthening the relationship between the school staff and family.

Developmental Psychologists

Developmental psychologists study human behavior through the various stages of life. These psychologists may specialize in specific areas such as infancy, childhood, adolescence or adulthood. They may also study the effects of aging and how people cope with getting older and handling sickness and death. Generally, development psychologists look at the various parts of life through different angles, including physiological, cognitive and social development. The research gained from developmental psychologists is critical to the understanding of human nature.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Industrial-organizational psychologists have a different focus than most psychologists: work. They research various methods for improving the workplace, boosting employee morale and increasing productivity. Industrial-organizational psychologists often start working with the management of a particular company to enhance the quality of life at the work setting. They evaluate the current environment, conduct employee training and screenings and organize methods for handling particular problems. Usually, these psychologists are brought in by management to solve specific problems in the workplace.

Social Psychologists

Social psychologists study individuals in a social context. This branch of psychology looks at how people are influenced by the social situation they are in. It often mimics sociology, but instead of focusing on a group at large, social psychology focuses on the individual. Social psychologists evaluate why people act, look and feel the way they do and how stereotypes of formed. They also focus on group behavior, leadership, racism, sexism and attitudes toward others in general. This branch of psychology is complex, but it paves a road into the world of human interaction.

Research Psychologists

Also known as experimental psychologists, research psychologists work in private research centers and teach university courses. They study human behavior using both humans and animals to gain a better understanding for how we think, learn and lead our lives. Focus areas include motivation, attention, memory, sensory and perception. Although research psychologists don’t directly work with patients, the information gathered from their in-depth studies is invaluable to the foundation of psychology.

School psychologists work in educational settings, more specifically, in the district offices of elementary and secondary schools. The most common psychologists, clinical and counseling, work in a variety of settings, which once again depend on the specialty area. The most common places of employment include clinics, hospitals, private practices, government agencies, rehabilitation facilities, mental health centers and treatment centers.

According to the United States Department of Labor, out of the 174,000 jobs that psychologists held in 2010, 34 percent were self-employed, 29 percent worked in educational services and 20 percent worked in various healthcare settings.

Typical Work Settings for Self-Employed Psychologists

The majority of psychologists work in private practice as this is the most attractive career branch that comes with time. Psychologists can set their own hours and have more flexibility since they’re not tied down to a particular organization. Yet in order to accommodate clients, most psychologists offer evening and weekend hours, and may even be on call for certain clients.

The day is spent speaking with clients, assessing their current mental state and working on treatment plans that will help them overcome their issues. These meetings take place behind closed doors, and your role will be to listen, take notes and help the clients work through their problems. The rooms should be comfortable and offer several chairs or arm chairs that face each other.

The work setting is relaxed but busy, especially as meetings are scheduled one right after another. In between client visits, you will need to record notes, update files and report progress and diagnoses. This information will be shared with other doctors, family members and teachers, and collaborating with members from the medical community will also be commonplace as you work toward the development and implementation of treatment programs.

Typical Work Settings for Academic Psychologists

For psychologists that work in an academic setting, the schedule will be more predictable and follow normal business hours. What makes this career branch more challenging and time-consuming, however, is that research is conducted in addition to teaching. Research may be done on weekends or evenings, and there is a great deal of written work required. Furthermore, university classes may be taught on weekends and evenings to accommodate a greater number of students, and psychology professionals may be expected to do administrative work.

Nevertheless, working in an academic setting is highly rewarding and comes with a varied schedule. For those who enjoy teaching, conducting research and staying on the forefront of psychology studies, an academic setting is ideal. You won’t be working individually with people to help them resolve their issues, but you will play a large role in the research needed to understand the human mind and human behavior.

The work setting includes classrooms at colleges and universities, with research taking place anywhere that fits with your study. For example, you may spend time observing elementary students at a school, taking note of how a group of infants respond to stimuli or examining the thought processes a group of rats use to accomplish a task.

Typical Work Setting for Psychologists in Healthcare

The work setting for psychologists in healthcare vary based on the type of healthcare environment. Working in a nursing home, hospital or rehabilitation center may have hours scheduled any time of the day, whereas working at a doctor’s office may bring more regular daytime hours.

If you choose to work in the healthcare setting, you will find that the cases handled tend to be more severe and include bipolar disorder, depression, addictions and schizophrenia. You may work in the mental ward where only severely mentally ill individuals are admitted. You may find yourself helping sick patients cope with a chronic illness like cancer. Some psychologists may also work in prisons to provide assessment and rehabilitation for prisoners.

Generally speaking, careers in healthcare are the easiest to obtain as you embark on your career. They are rewarding, but they are also the more demanding as they often require long hours, unpredictable schedules and lower pay, especially with the intervention of managed care that was introduced in the 1990s.

Advantages of a Psychologist Work Setting

There are many benefits to being a psychologist, regardless of the branch of you choose. First and foremost, you have the opportunity to work directly with others to help them solve their problems. You get to see your clients make progress, and seeing these results is what the psychology career is all about. Psychologists have a white-collar image and flexibility with hours, especially when working in a private practice setting. Once established in a community, you also have job security, credibility to your name and a trustworthy image.

Other benefits to a psychology work setting is that you get to work with members of the medical community, stay abreast of new research on the human mind and be part of a large organization that is well regarded and supported. Finally, the field of psychology is very diverse and offers many different career paths that cater to people of all personalities, interests and career goals.

Disadvantages to a Psychologist Work Setting

There are some negative aspects to consider, especially as you first start out in the field of psychology. Managed care has made it more difficult to exceed a certain income, and this can be especially difficult to make a living in the early years. The hours can be long, and the work can be emotionally draining. If you choose to work in a private practice, you may feel a bit isolated since the bulk of your day will be spent talking one-on-one with clients only. It can also be difficult to become established within a community, and those in the academic settings have little security until they become tenured.

If you’re just beginning your academic career, you won’t need to choose a specialization just yet. A bachelor’s in psychology is general and will expose you to the various areas of psychology. As you work toward your master’s, however, you will need to select a specialization to focus your efforts on. This specialization will be specified in your application and will shape the course of your academic career. Since choosing a specialization can be challenging, we have the best advice for finding your niche within the field of psychology.

Specialties of Psychology

Identified by the American Psychological Associations, here are the main specialty areas in the field of psychology:

- Clinical psychology
- Cognitive and perceptual psychology
- Counseling psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Educational psychology
- Engineering psychology
- Evolutionary psychology
- Experimental psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Health psychology
- Industrial-organizational psychology
- Neuropsychologists psychology
- Quantitative and measurement psychology
- Rehabilitation psychology
- School psychology
- Social psychology
- Sports psychology

Now that you know the various specialties, you must determine which ones are the right fit for you. Some psychologists work with severely mentally ill patients, others work with clients who struggle through everyday issues and others are responsible for empirical data. Here are the questions to ask yourself when finding your niche in the field.

Do You Want to Work Directly or Indirectly with People?

First and foremost, decide whether you want to work directly with people or if you would rather study their behaviors instead. This will help you narrow down your specialty to clinical- or counseling-type psychology or research and experimental psychology. These two specialties are so different from each other, they will influence the type of doctorate degree you pursue. Those that study the research-based angle of psychology will earn a Ph.D., while those that take the practice-based angle will earn a Psy.D.

What Age Group Do You Want to Work With?

Another factor to consider is the types of people you want to work with. If you enjoy working with children, clinical, counseling, school and developmental psychologists are the most apt to helping younger children. It can be difficult to limit your focus to a particular age group, however, so the best approach is to get plenty of exposure with the age group you want to work with in the future. Complete an internship or assist in a research study involving a particular age group so that you can build up your experience and expertise. Also look for master’s programs that will meet your needs in these areas.

What Level of Mental Illness Are You Comfortable Working With?

In addition to the age of patients you want to work with, you should also consider the severity of issues you feel comfortable working with. If you provide therapy to severely mentally ill clients that suffer from bipolar disorder, depression or schizophrenia, you may find the therapy sessions to be long, tiresome and emotionally draining.

Therapy is an ongoing affair and takes time, as opposed to working as a marriage and family psychologist who helps people through divorce and family struggles. You will have to decide how much you can handle, the time and effort you’re willing to devote to your clients and how quickly you expect your clients to progress.

How Long Are You Willing to go to School?

Another component to consider is how long you’re willing to go to school. Becoming a licensed psychologist is not something that happens overnight, and for the majority of psychologist careers, you will need to obtain a doctorate degree. The total years of school you’ll require are at least seven to nine years, more if you don’t go to school full-time or in consecutive years.

This is a major commitment, and some students decide that they’re not cut out for that many years of school. Fortunately, there are some psychology professions that you will qualify for with a master’s degree, such as an industrial-organizational psychologist. If you’re honest with yourself early on, you can determine how many years you’re willing to give to your career goals and set yourself up for success.

Final Thoughts

Remember that not everyone finds their niche right away. The best advice is to explore the various fields of psychology, even as a practicing professional. The more exposure you can get, the better informed you will be to make your long-term career decisions. Many psychologists do not find their niche until years down the road when they’ve had real-world experience. The wonderful aspect to psychology is that once you invest the time, effort and academic years, you are qualified to work in many specializations. If one does not work out, there is always another to pursue.

You’ll find that many of the necessary traits for becoming a psychologist are inherited, meaning that you already have them from within. Yet there are other qualities that can be learned over time so that you’re able to offer them with confidence in the professional setting.

Analytical Skills

Psychologists must be able to evaluate the information that is gathered during studies and extract logical conclusions from the findings. These skills are most important for research psychologists who conduct studies on a regular basis. Yet they are also critical to other psychologists who will be reading the studies and taking away particular information that applies to their occupation. Since information is always changing, it’s essential that you know where to find new and updated studies in place of memorizing findings and statistics.

Communication Skills

Almost all psychologists, with the exception of research professionals, spend the bulk of their time listening to patients and working with them to solve their problems. When working with young children, communication becomes even more important since the information is relayed to parents and teachers as well. It’s imperative that you have strong communication skills, confidence, eye contact and understanding. In fact, communication is so vital, it’s the basis for your relationship with patients and their support network.

Observational Skills

Psychology is a field of observation. You’ll spend a lot of time observing the way people act and evaluating their attitudes and behaviors. Observational skills are first practiced in a classroom where you will study humans or animals in various contexts. These skills can be further applied throughout your career as you observe your patients’ facial expressions, body language, actions and interactions.

Problem-Solving Skills

In order to find, create and implement the right treatment plans for your patients, you will need to have excellent problem-solving skills. As you settle into your career, it will be up to you to assess each patient and determine which treatment plan will best work. If it fails, it will be up to you to use your problem-solving skills to select a new cycle of treatment. Even though many people believe that psychologists are best at providing a supportive ear, these professionals must continually problem-solve and teach the same techniques to others.

People Skills

The field of psychology focuses on people and how to help them. Having people skills is a fundamental building block to this career path. You must have a genuine concern for helping others deal with their problems as well as an appreciation for the human mind. Being able to work well with patients is only half the battle; you must also work well with the people in your patients’ support networks such as family, schools, government agencies and workplaces.

Patience

Patience is a key ingredient in the world of psychology. Studies take a long time to conduct, usually months or years. You must be patient when carrying out research as rushing through studies will only provide skewed results. You must also display patience when working with patients who have severe mental and emotional struggles. Being impatient or abrupt will only damage the relationships you’ve worked so hard for.

Trustworthiness

Your patients must be able to trust you and know that you will keep their information in complete confidence. Creating a secure, private place to speak with patients will help build the trust factor, but this must also come from within. Never discuss your patients with anyone else, and keep all files safe from wandering eyes or curious individuals. By showing patients an effective system for keeping patient files confidential, you can help build the trust that will inadvertently come with time.

Interpersonal Awareness

Being able to build interpersonal relationships is the only way to establish healthy rapports with your patients. Having interpersonal awareness also brings another important element to the table: understanding. Since many of the problems that people experience have to do with the people in their lives, you must be able to understand the rich dynamics between two people. When you can identify with your patients based on their interpersonal relationships, you can better understand their feelings and come up with an appropriate treatment approach.

Self-Awareness

In order to be an effective psychologist, you must be emotionally stable yourself. Having intrapersonal awareness is a key component, as it displays that you are aware of your own emotions and have them under control. It’s near impossible to help another individual overcome their problems when you have yet to overcome yours. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter whether you have an introverted or extroverted personality; the important part is that you’re a confident individual with your own emotions well controlled.

Compassion

Being compassionate and caring is what every psychologist should offer in their professional setting. You should empathize with your patients and know how to handle difficult situations and complex emotions. It’s not uncommon for psychologists to feel like they need to say certain things to be compassionate, but this quality can be exercised in mannerisms instead. Eye contact, gentle nodding, personal interest in the conversation and asking questions are all ways to display care and compassion.