Psychology Careers
What is psychology? Psychology is the study of human behavior and mind. Psychology includes both the study of thought and unconscious behavior, and conscious and unconscious processes. It’s an ever-growing field of great scope.
Psychologists seek to understand the emerging properties of the brain, connecting the field to other disciplines. Understanding the workings of human beings via the psychological principles laid out by Sigmund Freud has opened up a wealth of methods for understanding behavior and human consciousness. A psychologist may work on one of two tracks, either clinical or research. Clinically, he treats patients as they suffer from a disorder or personality disorder. He may work with one or more methods of psychotherapy, while investigating the biochemical and environmental causes of the disorder.
Some psychologists prefer to conduct scientific studies in a laboratory setting, using methodologies of the natural sciences. Modern psychology incorporates a large number of different fields in its investigation of human behavior and psyche. These include the field of biology, mathematics, physics, anatomy, neurophysiology, communication theory, anthropology, sociology, psychology, interpersonal communication, and cognitive therapy. The field of modern psychology continues to expand with new areas being added each year.
Many psychologists work within the healthcare system to treat clients with a variety of ailments including anxiety and depression, substance abuse and addiction, psychosis, and phobias. Some work in schools to help people with behavioral disorders that range from ADHD and bipolar disorder to learning disabilities and ODD. Some are employed by businesses in advertising, management, and organizational services. Some work in the legal field helping clients with criminal behavior, family law, and criminal psychology. There are many who work in the public sector using their skills to help people with disabilities and other problems such as alcoholism and drug abuse, developmental disorders, developmental disabilities, substance abuse and addiction.
While there are many different areas of specialization within psychology, the two most common types of specialization are clinical psychology and counseling psychology. Clinical Psychology deals with a specific problem and is usually concerned with a specific group of people with a certain problem. Counseling psychology deals more with general psychological concerns and is used to help people understand their thinking patterns and how they can be changed. Both of these are applied behavioral analysis techniques.
Many psychologists participate in continuing education in order to stay current on the emerging trends and advances in their field. There are many clubs and organizations in which psychology professionals belonging to various states and countries to participate in activities and seminars. The International Society of Clinical Psychology, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry are just a few of the various membership organizations that offer seminars on a regular basis. Those interested in political, business, and nonprofit work can also find themselves involved in professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the Association of American Psychologists, and the Association of School Psychologists. These organizations play an important role in the field of psychology and keep it relevant to the people who need it most.
Even those psychology professionals who are working in the public sector have a duty to continue to keep the field of psychology up to date and teach the many aspects of this field to those outside of the profession. This is why many college degree programs now offer required or partial courses in psychology. Students interested in psychology take these introductory courses in order to become certified psychologists in their area of specialization. There are also many online psychology degrees available to study at your own pace. No matter what your choice of college is, you can find a program that suits you and will help you reach your goals.
If you have a passion for psychology but don’t know where to begin your career, you may want to consider a clinical psychology degree. Once you begin a career as a clinical or research psychologist, there will be a variety of fields to choose from and many doors that will open for you. A career in clinical psychology will give you the opportunity to help many people in many different ways and you will be working in a field that has great potential for growth and advancement.