5 Specialties to Consider as a Psychologist
Working as a psychologist is an exciting job with endless possibilities. The field offers a wide variety of specialties that allow you to really chart your own career path.
It’s important to explore the many different specialties psychology has to offer, so you can find your perfect fit.
Here’s a look at five areas you might want to consider.
Addictions
Millions of Americans struggle with addiction. An addiction psychologist helps these people get to the root of their addiction and combat it head-on. Instead of rushing to treat addicts with a rigid solution, they really dig deep to help them understand what caused their self-destructive behaviors. This allows patients to make meaningful changes that can have a major impact on the rest of their lives.
Clinical Psychology
A clinical psychologist helps patients recognize emotional, mental, and behavioral issues impacting their lives. The psychologist uses a variety of methods — i.e., observations, interviews, tests — to diagnose existing disorders. They then create a treatment plan customized to the patient’s needs, to help them manage or overcome their issues. Progress is carefully monitored and treatment is adjusted as needed.
Forensic Psychology
If you’re interested in working for the legal system, a career in forensic psychology could be for you. The role of a forensic psychologist varies, but generally involves working with attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals to analyze and understand the psychological aspects of a case.
Some of the responsibilities associated with the job might involve performing child custody evaluations, expert witness testimony, evaluating criminals’ competency to stand trial, and assessing potential police officers for employment.
Counseling Psychology
Unlike many of their peers who specialize in past trauma and mental health disorders, counseling psychologists help patients cope with the pressure of their everyday lives. This might involve stress, depression, anxiety, or marital problems — just to name a few. These professionals listen to patients’ issues and provide them with tools to help overcome them.
Counseling sessions typically focus on both conscious and unconscious behaviors patients exhibit and how to take accountability for them. Some patients only need to meet with counseling psychologists a few times, while others will require treatment for several years.
Sports Psychology
Being an athlete can take a major toll on the body — both physically and mentally. A sports psychologist works with athletes to improve their results in the game. This is accomplished by analyzing their motivation, personality, and performance. Counseling sessions center on the athlete’s performance, where the psychologist works to recognize emotional strengths and weaknesses that can affect their game.
They then provide strategies to help the athlete cope with setbacks and get back into the game stronger than ever. It’s not uncommon for sports teams to have a dedicated sports psychologist on staff, as their importance is paramount.
Finding the right psychologist role for your skills and interests can be a challenge. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you find your next behavioral health position, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].
