Psychologist – Psychologists help people deal with problems of everyday
living. As a non-medical professional with a Ph.D. degree, they care for clients
with behavioral and emotional problems through psychotherapy, counseling and
psychoanalysis. They usually specialize and get their data from lab tests,
interviews, assessments, and surveys. They work in colleges and universities,
schools, hospitals, research firms, businesses and government facilities. This
occupation requires a doctoral degree, usually 4-6 years of graduate study,
culminating in a dissertation, practical work and examinations. Typically,
students receive a master’s degree in 2 or 3 years and then begin working on
the PhD. If students want to receive a PhD in clinical psychology and be
licensed to practice, they need to complete a one year internship. Students
receiving PhD’s in other areas may take a postdoctoral fellowship following
completion of their degree to further their research and training.
Careers in psychology are numerous and include the academic career which
focuses on teaching, research, and counseling students. The process of
becoming an academic researcher is a gradual one. Projects begin under the
guidance of a professor and continue to move toward more complex
psychological research projects as one gains experience. Educational
psychology deals with a broad range of issues including special education,
assessment and counseling, and seeks to understand the process of
instruction, motivation, curriculum, and formal schooling.
Professionals within the applied specialties (clinical, counseling,
industrial/organizational, and school psychology) engage in many of the same
activities and have a lot in common with one another. The counseling
psychologist, for example, “helps people improve their well being, alleviate their
distress, resolve their crises, and increase their ability to solve problems and
make decisions.” (Division of Counseling Psychology, 1985, p. 141). In
addition, psychologists may teach or train, consult, supervise, conduct
research, and manage administrative projects. Community counseling moves
beyond the individual to deal with broader problems of mental health and
human relationships in community settings.
The science of psychology also has much to contribute to our understanding of
organizational management and the study of individual, group and
organizational behavior in business. The psychologist in the business school
studies complex management and organizational issues.
Psychologists in private practice or those who offer any type of patient care—
including clinical, counseling, community, and school psychologists—must meet
certification or licensing requirements in all states and the District of Columbia.
In addition, all states require that applicants pass an examination. Most state
licensing boards administer a standardized test, and many supplement that with
additional oral or essay questions.
Psychiatrist – Psychiatry is the study, treatment and prevention of mental,
emotional or behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist may order the prescription of drugs,
and direct or administer psychotherapeutic treatments for various disorders. Because
of extensive medical training (including biology, pharmacology, neurobiology, and
psychology), a psychiatrist can also understand the body’s functions and the complex
relationship between mental, emotional, and other medical illnesses. As a physician, a
psychiatrist also serves as the medical expert for the mind/brain/body interface.
Where can I find a job?: Psychiatrists work in private or group practices,
hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, the military, emergency rooms, and court systems.
How do I become a Psychiatrist?: Training includes four years of medical
school, a one year psychiatric clerkship/internship, and a four year residency program
(to give real-life experience in hospitals and clinics, as well as research). This
education is in addition to an undergraduate and graduate degree. A good way to gain
more experience is to volunteer within the field of psychology such as a nursing home
assistant, camp counselor, or as an aide in a psychiatric hospital. There are growing
opportunities for psychiatrists because of the expanding health care field. 20% of
psychiatrists are self-employed.
Social Worker – Most social workers specialize and help people (families,
individuals, the elderly, and adolescents) function within their environment, personal
relationships and family problems. They also assist families with housing, disability,
serious illness, substance abuse and domestic conflicts, including child and spousal
abuse. Many social workers offer counseling and manage their own business. Three
types of social work include:
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Child, family, and school social workers
Medical and public health social workers
Mental health/substance abuse social workers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers help to improve social and
psychological functioning of children and their families. They also drastically improve
the well-being of the family and the child’s academic functioning. In schools they
discuss problems such as teen pregnancy, abuse, neglect, misbehavior, and truancy.
These social workers also help the elderly and their families with housing, short and
long term care and transportation.
Medical and Public Health Social Workers provide individuals and
families with the psychosocial support needs to cope with chronic, acute or terminal
illnesses. They help arrange in-home care for patients and they work from hospitals,
nursing homes, family service agencies and the local government.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers assist in the
treatment of individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. This
treatment includes individual and group therapy, intervention, rehabilitation, and skills
to get back to everyday life. They work in hospitals, family agencies, or the local
government.
The need for social workers is rapidly growing and there is more competition in
cities.
A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is required for most positions, and is required
for clinical work. Additionally, a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field experience is
needed. To become a Licensed Master Social Worker, you must follow state
requirements regarding education, credentials, and testing.
Counselor - Counselors assist people with personal, family, educational,
mental health, and career decisions and problems. Their duties depend on the
individuals they serve and on the settings in which they work.
Educational, vocational, and school counselors provide individuals and groups
with career and educational counseling. In school settings—elementary through
postsecondary—they are usually called school counselors (or guidance counselors)
and they work with students, including those considered to be at risk and those with
special needs. Counselors also try to identify cases of domestic abuse and other
family problems that can affect a student’s development.
Counselors who provide mainly career counseling outside the school setting are
often referred to as employment counselors or career counselors. Their chief focus is
helping individuals with their career decisions. They may explore and evaluate the
individual’s education, training, work history, interests, skills, and personality traits, and
arrange for aptitude, interest, value or achievement tests to assist the client in making
career decisions. They also work with individuals to develop their job search skills, and
they assist in locating and applying for jobs. Career and employment counselors may
work in community agencies, private practice, or higher education.
Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with the personal, social, and
vocational effects of disabilities. They counsel people with disabilities resulting from
birth defects, illness or disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. They evaluate the
strengths and limitations of individuals, provide personal and vocational counseling,
and arrange for medical care, vocational training, and job placement.
Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address
and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote optimum mental health. They
are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address a wide range of
issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress
management, problems with self-esteem, issues associated with aging, job and career
concerns, educational decisions, problems related to mental and emotional health, and
family, parenting, and marital or other relationship concerns.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors help people who have
problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and eating disorders. They counsel individuals
who are addicted to drugs, helping them identify behaviors and problems related to
their addiction. These counselors hold sessions for one person, for families, or for
groups of people.
Marriage and family therapists apply principles, methods, and therapeutic
techniques to individuals, family groups, couples, or organizations for the purpose of
resolving emotional conflicts. In doing so, they modify people’s perceptions and
behaviors, enhance communication and understanding among all family members,
and help to prevent family and individual crises. Marriage and family therapists also
may engage in psychotherapy of a non-medical nature, with appropriate referrals to
psychiatric resources, and in research and teaching in the overall field of human
development and interpersonal relationships.
Other counseling specialties include gerontological, multicultural, and genetic
counseling. A gerontological counselor provides services to elderly persons who face
changing lifestyles because of health problems; the counselor also helps families cope
with the changes. A multicultural counselor helps employers adjust to an increasingly
diverse workforce. Genetic counselors provide information and support to families who
have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at
risk for a variety of inherited conditions.
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