Exploring Psychology Career Options
Have you long had an interest in the workings of the human mind? If it seems like everyone turns to you when they are experiencing problems or if you simply want to help people deal with the problems they are facing in their lives, you might want to consider a career in psychology. There are actually many different areas of psychology you may wish to pursue in the field of psychology. Here’s a look at some of your options.
Clinical Psychologist
A clinical psychologist generally works in a clinic, hospital, counseling center or group practice. Within these settings, they provide assistance to clients who are mentally and physically distressed. They may also work in physical rehabilitation clinics with patients who have experienced physical trauma due to disease, accident or abuse.
In order to help their clients, clinical psychologists generally interview their patients and then conduct a number of different diagnostic tests. They may also collaborate with other professionals to develop a well-rounded patient treatment plan.
Clinical psychologists may choose to specialize in a number of different areas. Some of these include:
· Health Psychologists – study the psychological, biological and social factors that affect health in order to provide counseling to patients who are adjusting to illness or medical treatments.
· Neuropsychologists – study the relationship between behavior and the brain in order to work effectively with those who have experienced head injury or stroke.
· Geropsychologists – study problems that specifically relate to the elderly
Counseling Psychologist
A counseling psychologist interviews and tests clients in order to help them develop methods for dealing with problems they face in every day situations. In many cases, counseling psychologists work with clients who are facing career problems or other problems commonly faced at different stages of life. These psychologists typically work within hospitals, university counseling centers or within individual or group practices.
School Psychologist
School psychologists are employed in settings ranging from early childhood schools to postsecondary schools. Within these settings, school psychologists work closely with parents, teachers and other school personnel in order to assist in the development of a supportive learning environment that is safe and healthy for all students. In order to accomplish this goal, school psychologists evaluate individual students as well as the school system in order to more effectively address behavioral problems and learning difficulties.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists utilize their research skills and their knowledge of psychology to assist in the improvement of productivity within the workplace. In order to accomplish this, they take steps toward improving the quality of work life by screening, training and counseling job applicants as well as by working closely with management in order to make necessary changes within the work setting.
Developmental Psychologists
Developmental Psychologists study cognitive, physiological and social development throughout the various life stages. As such, many developmental psychologists choose to specialize with just one age group, such as with infants, children, adolescents or the elderly.
Social Psychologists
As the name implies, social psychologists study how people interact with others as well as with their environment. These psychologists typically work within the areas of marketing research, organizational consultation, applied psychology and system design.
Experimental Psychologists
Experimental psychologists, who are also referred to as research psychologists, typically work within private research centers, government organizations or business organizations. Within these settings, experimental psychologists study the behavior of humans as well as other animals, such as monkeys, pigeons and rats. Areas that are typically studied by experimental psychologists include sensory processes, memory, perceptual process and substance abuse.
If you are interested in pursuing any of these psychology careers, you can get started with the help of Top Colleges. Visit the Top Colleges home page to get started!
Filed in: Career Options, Health Services Training.









