Qualifications Needed to Become a Psychologist

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A psychologist is a well sought after career, and many people all over the world study to enable them to practice. There are various requirements to become a psychologist and in this article, we’re going to look at some of the qualifications for a psychologist as well as some useful pointers for those wanting to study the practice. It can be frustrating to fully understand the requirements to become a psychologist, and alongside accreditation, licensing and other certifications required, it can become confusing. This guide should clear up common misconceptions, and will allow you to fully understand the requirements.

Day to day tasks

The day to day life of a psychologist can vary greatly, largely depending on where they’re based. A psychologist will spend a lot of time talking to those who have a lot of troubling factors in their life, and because of this, a psychologist will need to be emotionally stable and good at dealing with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. When people ask what qualifications are needed to become a psychologist, they often look purely at the academic qualifications required. They forget the emotional side of things and fail to remember that a number of factors, including sensitivity, compassionate and empathetic understanding, the ability to listen and work as a team all play large factors in treating a patient. A psychologist will also need to be able to listen to graphic and upsetting stories that patients may tell; many patients will have been sexually abused or assaulted, and a large part of treatment will involve them discussing these violations with you.

Qualifications for a Psychologist

If you plan on becoming licensed to practice psychology you will need a degree from an accredited establishment. The establishment must be accredited by the APA. The APA stands for the American Psychological Association, and it currently accredits doctorate programs in three areas; clinical, counseling and school psychology. The level of education needed to practice varies by state, but for a career in clinical and counseling psychology, a doctorate in psychology is required. In addition to this degree, applicants will need to complete an internship and between one and two years of professional experience before they’re able to start working on their own with patients.

In addition to the above requirements, most states throughout the US require applicants to take an exam before they are fully licensed to practice. This exam usually consists of a standard test, which is written by the state licensing board. In certain cases, for instance, a foreigner coming to work in the US, language, and writing/reading tests may also be required.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 160,000 psychologist jobs in the US at present, and this number is expected to rise around 12% before 2022. This is a good indication of why so many people are choosing to train as psychologists and why it’s a great idea to start training right away. Why not start learning as soon as possible to begin an exciting new career?