Many psychology career options available in healthcare, education, business, and research.

Psychology Jobs – How Many Psychology Jobs Are There?

If you want to make a difference in society, there are many career options available with a psychology degree. You can work in healthcare, education and training, business and management, human resources or research areas.

Some students seek careers in clinical psychology as counselors and therapists. Others choose to teach at the college level, using their knowledge to educate future psychologists.

Clinical Psychologists

The demand for clinical psychologists is expected to continue to rise in the next few years. The growing number of people struggling with mental health issues is fueling this growth, and clinical psychologists earn higher-than-average annual wages in comparison to other jobs.

The job duties of a clinical psychologist vary by specialty, but all positions involve some research and some form of treatment. They may work with patients, clients, or businesses to help them deal with various issues. They also use a variety of assessment tools to diagnose psychological disorders, including those found in the DSM-5 and ICD-10.

In some cases, psychologists work directly with the legal system to offer psychiatric expertise for trials and jury selection processes. Others might work with government agencies to create and implement policies directed at social problems. The career path of a clinical psychologist can lead to working with Psychiatrists and social workers or opening a private practice. Many of these positions require licensure, which is obtained after graduating from a doctoral program.

Counseling Psychologists

Psychologists focus on helping people deal with personal, work-related and health-related issues. Their responsibilities vary by specialty area and industry, but they all include counseling clients and researching psychological principles and practices.

Psychologists working in clinical settings assess, diagnose and treat mental illnesses using different treatment methods. They also collaborate with physicians and psychiatrists who can prescribe medication. They typically help patients with chronic or severe psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression.

Counseling psychologists use their expertise to help people with a wide variety of issues, including emotional duress, relationship problems and career stressors. They often encourage their clients to explore their own beliefs, ideas and values in order to identify solutions to their issues. They also provide advice and guidance on healthy lifestyles. They may even work with athletes and performers to help them reduce their levels of stress in preparation for important performances. Their responsibilities can also include research and teaching. Psychologists in this field are usually required to hold a doctorate degree.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Industrial-organizational psychologists work to improve employee performance and help companies develop employee training and development programs. They can also help create policies that encourage workplace diversity, safety and efficiency.

Industrial and organizational psychologists are expected to see faster-than-average job growth through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They typically earn higher salaries than clinical, counseling and school psychologists, but lower than those of clinical, forensic and developmental psychology professionals.

A bachelor’s degree is enough to begin a career in industrial-organizational psychology, but many professionals with this type of specialty opt to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree for greater opportunities and better pay. Those with doctoral degrees work in research, while those with master’s degrees lean toward hands-on work and solving real-life problems for their clients. With a variety of careers available in the field, there are opportunities for anyone with a passion for psychology. The key is to find the right fit.

Child Psychologists

The majority of psychologists work in clinical environments. They may practice in clinical child psychology, conducting research or providing services to children with a variety of behavioral and emotional disorders.

Clinical child psychologists address all aspects of a child’s mental health, developmental and emotional difficulties, including assessment (psychological, intellectual, cognitive testing and evaluation), intervention (e.g., psychotherapy and behavior management) and development of prevention programs. They also work closely with school systems and other professionals who serve children.

Like adults, children can suffer from a broad range of mental, emotional and behavioral problems, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders and learning differences, conduct disorders, anxiety and eating disorders. They might be affected by family dynamics, societal issues and their socioeconomic status, which can determine their ability to access healthcare, education and quality of life. Child psychologists help them overcome these challenges, allowing them to lead happy and successful lives. They are in high demand.

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