Psychology

What each psychologist does will vary depending on what issues you are facing, what type of psychologist you are seeing and the kind of treatment you are accessing.

Psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress and promote psychological well-being. They use a range of evidence-based treatments and will work with the individual to identify the best approach to addresses the client’s unique difficulties and needs. 

Psychologists also provide consultation, training and supervision to other professionals and other agencies. Psychologists are not medical doctors and will not prescribe medication. Their work is focussed on how people think, feel and behave and the impact this has on them and on their relationships with others. 

Many psychologists are involved in research and evaluation of services.

There are several types of psychologists, each specialising in different aspects of mental health and human behavior. These include:

1. Clinical Psychologists: Focus on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders through therapy and psychological assessment.

2. Counselling Psychologists: Help individuals cope with life changes, stress, and relationship issues, often providing therapy.

3. Educational Psychologists: Work within educational settings to support students with learning difficulties, developmental issues, and behavioral problems.

4. Industrial-Organisational Psychologists: Apply psychological principles to workplace issues, including employee performance, motivation, and organisational development.

5. Forensic Psychologists: Apply psychological knowledge to legal issues, including criminal investigations, court cases, and evaluating the mental state of offenders.

6. Health Psychologists: Focus on how psychological factors affect physical health and work on strategies to promote healthy behavior and manage chronic illnesses.

7. Developmental Psychologists: Study the psychological growth and changes that occur throughout a person’s life, from infancy through old age.

8. Neuropsychologists: Investigate the relationships between brain function and behavior, often working with individuals who have neurological conditions or brain injuries.

Your psychologist can help treat several different mental and behavioral health conditions, as well as help you cope with various life stressors. These issues can be long-term or short-term.

Becoming a psychologist involves a comprehensive training pathway. It starts with completing an accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology, followed by a relevant Master’s degree if desired. The next step is pursuing a Doctorate in a specialised field, such as Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, or Educational Psychology, which combines academic study with extensive supervised practice. Throughout their training, aspiring psychologists gain hands-on experience through supervised placements to develop their clinical skills. Psychologists are also required to engage in ongoing professional development to maintain their skills and stay current with advancements in the field.