Psychology (Career Report)

I am pursuing a degree in psychology due to my interest in studying the mind and behavior. I also long for a job where no boss is coming up to me from time to inject some flexibility into my work hours. Through my research, however, I now know that making psychology your career in the outside world and establishing oneself as distinctive internationally requires extreme training.

Education and Training:

For roles in counseling, psychology, or a related field, the standard qualifications include a master’s degree, licensure, or certification. Psychologists and therapists specialize in dealing with all kinds of mental health, emotional, and behavioral problems for individuals, couples, families, or even large groups; interventions employ various therapeutic methods (Psychologists). Psychologists generally require an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctoral, though some civilian psychology places will require post-doctoral training. Psychologists diagnose, evaluate, and treat mental and emotional problems through observation, interviews with patients, and psychological testing; they also provide personalized counseling services for social and personal development and vocational orientation purposes (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists). Psychiatrists, usually with a doctorate, diagnose and treat mental illness, helping with medical treatments and problem-solving in addition to the use of psychotherapy or medication (Psychiatrists). Using databases such as eLibrary Academic and Health Reference Center Academic, one can get great insight into decision-making in psychologist education and training (“Chapter 31”) (“Chapter 32”).

Job definition and Duties:

Counsellors and therapists are crucial in determining the needs of their clients, planning treatment strategies, and providing opportunities for personal growth and resolution of problems (Clinical Psychologists). Their specialty may lie in marriage counseling and family therapy or trauma counseling for those who have been unable to get a good night’s sleep since the accident or any other incident. Psychologists involve their clients in developing insight, setting goals for themselves, and planning action consistent with such insight. They work with individuals to promote effective development and adaptation in personal, social, vocational, or educational life settings through counseling interventions that reflect the goals of each client as well (Psychology). The tasks of clinical and counseling psychologists include evaluating whether patients are at risk of self-harm or harming others and counseling individuals, groups, or families in crises on how to get a realistic action plan together as they maintain complete records for all their clients (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists).

Psychiatrists, however, examine data from patient histories and tests to diagnose mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Then, they give prescription drugs or psychotherapy as necessary, devise a multiproblem care plan that fits the individual patient and his needs (including in-patient treatments), and take detailed patient records — including medical items and social history obtained from the patient’s relatives or other professionals. Psychiatrists collaborate with other healthcare practitioners to develop strategies for treatment and observe how patients are doing (Psychiatrists).

Salary:

Psychologists reported that the median annual wage for a counselor or therapist in May 2022 was $47,660. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in May 2022 noted a median yearly salary of $90,130 for psychologists (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists). Moreover, Psychiatrists have a median pay in 2022– $109.08 per hour, or $226,880 a year (Psychiatrists).

Local Opportunities:

There are a variety of options for counselors and therapists, including mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, or even private practice, as psychologists have discussed. According to Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, who italicize the name of their entry-level degree for some reason but not those of any other profession in this field, during your lifetime, you may be working in various settings such as schools, hospitals (including the Veterans Administration hospices where living patients), private practice or even research centers. Job prospects for psychologists may vary by location, with higher population areas typically providing better opportunities (Clinical and Counseling Psychologists). When it comes to psychiatrists, opportunities differ from place to place. In the local area, this means job openings in hospitals and clinics, private practices of all sizes (including those managed by group practice of psychiatrists), mental health facilities run by non-profit organizations, nursing homes with consideration for dementing elder abuse or planning new directions aid through their transition into more home-like environments, correctional institutions and other areas such as schools (Psychiatrists).

Advantages and Disadvantages:

On the positive side, one of the critical advantages of psychology is the direct influence on people’s mental and emotional healing that Psychologists mention. On the other hand, the disadvantages are the emotional toll of working with clients who are often distressed and the constant risk of burnout because of the workload. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists also notice the nature of the work and the flexibility that is associated with it. The field is excruciating, fulfilling, and utterly flexible in settings where practitioners may choose to be. The disadvantages they identify are the emotional intensity of the job, burnout risk, and long hours of required education. As for Psychiatrists, they are similarly satisfied with how the field encourages work that positively impacts people’s mental health, and their place in space gives them much professional autonomy. They mention that they also enjoy the intellectuality of the field and frequent learning opportunities. The disadvantages are the emotional strain of addressing clients’ issues, which may be stressful, strange hours with evening, night, and weekend work, and professional education that takes many years and is very expensive.

Works Cited

“Chapter 31: Gathering Reliable Information.” myText CNM, https://mytext.cnm.edu/lesson/gathering-reliable-information/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2024.

“Chapter 32: Evaluating Sources.” myText CNM, https://mytext.cnm.edu/lesson/evaluating-sources/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2024.

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3033.00. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.

Psychiatrists. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1223.00. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.

Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.