Career Outlook for Neuropsychologist

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Have you ever thought of becoming a neuropsychologist? What does this type of career take and what do you learn?

Where Psychology Stands

Nearly thirty-four percent of psychologists are self-employed, compared to eight percent in all other work. The competition for admission into graduate programs is truly great, although the overall demand for psychologists in the various sub-fields is growing at a rapid rate and is expected to grow more in the future. The job prospects are best for those who have gained a doctorate in a specialized area, such as health counseling or school psychologists.

Clinical psychologists constitute the largest specialized field. They are generally hired by counseling centers, hospitals, clinics, and for individual or group therapy. They help injured and distressed patients cope with their trauma, adjust to disabling medical conditions or with rehabilitation therapies.

Included in the field of clinical psychology are health psychologists. Health psychologists study the biological, social and psychological factors that affect health and illness. Their goal is to promote healthy living and disease prevention through counseling and focus on how well the patient will adjust to an illness and maintain a quality of life. Neuropsychologists are health psychologists. The study is in the relationship between the brain and behaviors. Neuropsychologists will often work with patients who have suffered stroke or head injury.

Employment Opportunities

Neuropsychology is a driving force in understanding the relationship between the brain and the mind. Its studies include both the biologic connections of brain activity and the empirical evidence of psychology. Careers in neuropsychology are not limited to clinical settings. Neuropsychologists are also hired to do research through universities, colleges and medical laboratories. They are hired by consulting offices, private clinics and research offices for pharmaceutical companies.

Typically, to pursue a career in neuropsychology, a PhD is required, although some facilities will accept a Master’s degree. The typical job of a neuropsychologist in a clinical setting is in assessing and assisting people overcoming strokes, and in administering brain scans and other neurocognitive tests. Neuropsychologists may consult with pharmaceutical companies on drugs that affect the central nervous system or provide expert testimony in court.

The Future of Neuropsychology

Our understanding of the central nervous system and how it affects our mental development is only just the beginning. Careers in neuropsychology may include tremendous breakthrough in the treatment of neurologic diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s. It may give more understanding on how to effectively treat dyslexia, sleep apnea, or ADHD.

The central nervous system contains the messengers to the mind. The neuropsychologist follows the pathway of the messengers to discover where errant paths lead, how normal responses produce motor and cognitive skills and ways to rebuild and repair neural damage. A career in neuropsychology is an exciting prospect for those who love the combination of the brain’s biological health with its synthesizing qualities of the mind.

This is a fascinating career field for the right type of student; a deep thinker, an ambitious worker, and someone who really cares about helping people.