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By University HQ Staff Writers
Edited by Evelyn Keener
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University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs for psychology.

What is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is someone who studies a patient’s thoughts, mental state, and emotional behavior with the aim of helping them cope with mental health problems and life issues. Methods they use may include psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, referral for medical intervention, and more. The goal is to help their patients flourish by taking into account their emotional state, personal characteristics, unique values, individual circumstances, and goals.

There are a number of areas a psychologist can specialize in such as industrial-organizational psychology, family and marriage, addiction, child psychology or developmental psychology, sports psychology, neuropsychology, school counseling, and more.

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Steps to Become a Psychologist

It takes years of study and a substantial commitment to become a psychologist. While there are multiple areas of specialty in the field, clinical psychology has two paths to choose from: a PhD that is more focused on research and a PsyD, which concentrates more on clinical settings. Both require the same basic steps to get started.

Following the right path is the key to getting where you want to be. To become a psychologist and earn a PhD or PsyD, here are the basic steps that you will need to take.

  • Step 1: Education - Work your way up to a doctorate degree

  • Step 2: Experience - Complete internship

  • Step 3: Licensing - Complete clinical training and get licensed

  • Step 4: Working – Get a job and continue education

steps_to_take_psychologist

Step 1: Education Requirements

The most important aspect of your education is that you attend a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). This will allow you to become licensed, no matter which path you take.

While there are numerous academic paths you can follow at the bachelor’s level, a clinical psychology degree is not one of them. A master’s degree in clinical and counseling psychology may be available; however, it does not qualify you for licensure beyond a counseling role, but it will qualify you to earn a doctoral degree and become a licensed clinical psychologist.

A doctorate in clinical psychology will prepare you for a rewarding career in the psychology field. You can hold either a PhD (Doctor of philosophy) or a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology). At the master's and doctoral level, you'll have the option to focus your specialization in a variety of areas such as health, counseling, industrial organization, etc.

Step 2: Experience

Experience is important in the field of psychology and is also required. At the doctoral level, most programs will require around 3,000 hours, or two years, of supervised experience that can be accomplished in multiple ways. This will prepare you to recieve your license as a psychologist. Some choose to gain experience in a particular demographic or field through volunteer work, but most choose a doctorate that builds on their earlier graduate experience.

No matter which degree you earn, you will be required to complete at least a year or two of pre-doctoral internship in addition to your coursework and dissertation. An internship allows you to hone your clinical skills while under the watch of professional licensed clinical psychologists.

Step 3: Licensing

To become a psychologist, licensure is mandated at the state level, and you will be required to complete post-doctoral training before sitting for the national license exam. Some states may also require you to present a case study to the psychology board. Check with the Board of Psychology in your state to learn your states specific requirements to become licensed.

Even if your state doesn’t require it, completing additional clinical training is a big leap toward obtaining licensure and will help you to gain more knowledge and skills in a specialized area. This is especially helpful in certain specializations, such as gerontology and child psychology.

While the requirements differ between states, they all include:

  • Earning a doctoral degree from an accredited program
  • Gaining a specific amount of hours of supervised experience
  • Passing examinations to become state licensed
  • Continuing education and renewing your license regularly

Step 4: Working

Once you have received licensure you will be ready to work as a psychologist. There are wide arrays of career choices in the field of psychology to choose from as well as a variety of different areas that you can specialize in, but some may require different licensing or training.

Just remember that research in the field of psychology is constantly being done and new treatments and understandings are consistently being introduced. You must stay updated by continuing your education, a usual requirement to maintain licensure. To find out how to stay up to date with the industry, check with the American Counseling Association (ACA), on continuing education for counselors where professionals can earn credit toward continuing education by using the ACA’s professional development programming online.

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What Will You Do?

Psychologists can help people in a variety of ways. They often start by talking to their patients to find their problem areas, then they devise a plan on how to treat them using various treatment options. A psychologist can help people who are angry, depressed, anxious, or in an emotional state where they are overwhelmed, possibly by a new job or grieving a loved one’s death. Psychologists can also assist those with chronic conditions, either physical or mental, helping them cope with their conditions and live a better lifestyle. These professionals also help their patients overcome addictions, deal with stressful situations, and reach their goals.

Practicing psychologists may work directly with patients or conduct research studies independently. They are also trained to administer various tests and assessments that help them understand more about how a person feels, thinks, and behaves or to diagnose certain conditions. These tests may also help a psychologist to evaluate cognitive strengths and weaknesses, intellectual skills, neuropsychological functioning, personality characteristics, or vocational aptitude and preference.

Psychologists may work in hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, or independently in their own private office.


Skills

  • Communication
    Good communication skills are crucial when dealing with patients who may be stressed or not of sound mind. The ability to express yourself clearly, describe your observations, and explain your findings in detail are imperative both when dealing with patients and cooperating with other healthcare professionals. This includes good listening skills as well, as listening is an important part of productive communication.
  • Research
    Research is an essential skill for psychologists, as it enables them to contribute to the knowledge base of psychology, improve clinical practices, and make evidence-based decisions. It will be required to earn your doctorate and may become a passion for those who want to uncover just what makes people tick.
  • Ethics
    Psychologists take on a lot of responsibility when dealing with other people’s lives as they are capable of influencing how their patient’s think during a time where they are very vulnerable. Therefore, psychologists should have strong ethics to ensure the well-being and safety of their patient’s.
  • Patience
    Patience is a vital skill for psychologists because it enables them to build trusting relationships with clients, handle complex cases thoughtfully, and support clients in making gradual progress. It can take patients a long time to find the results they are looking for.

Psychologist Career & Salary

Where Might You Work?

might_you_work_psychologist

While many psychologists work for healthcare providers, there are many others who choose to run their own private practice. They may work solo or find a team of other psychologists to help defray the cost of a private practice. Some psychologists find themselves working as consultants for counselors who don’t have the advantages, skills, or knowledge of a licensed psychologist. They may take referrals or meet with the patient a couple of times to provide expert feedback.

Psychologists are found in many different settings, but mostly in medical establishments. Places that may hire psychologists are:

  • Colleges and Universities
  • Medical Centers
  • Veteran’s Centers
  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Prisons
  • Mental Health Clinics
  • Nursing Homes
  • Addiction/Rehabilitation Centers

In 2023, clinical psychologists earned a mean annual salary of $106,600, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Psychologists with advanced certification or those with more experience earned even higher wages. Location can be a significant factor in wage differences.


Salaries

Occupation Entry-Level Mid-Career Late-Career
Psychologists $66,000 $82,000 $91,000
School Psychologists $55,000 $64,000 $78,000
Clinical Psychologists $70,000 $82,000 $100,000
Neuropsychologists $73,000 $94,000 $126,000
Clinical Therapists $62,000 $49,000 $65,000
Forensic Psychologists $51,000 $79,000 $94,000
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists $51,000 $78,000 $132,000
Clinical Services Directors $62,000 $89,000 $133,000
Behavioral Health Directors $58,000 $85,000 $135,000
Mental Health Counselors $33,000 $43,000 $61,000
Licensed Professional Counselors $41,000 $50,000 $59,000
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists $49,000 $58,000 $65,000
Substance Abuse Counselors $31,000 $40,000 $53,000

**Salary info provided by PayScale


Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts, between 2023 and 2033, the job outlook for psychologists will grow by 7%, which is faster than average. Moreover, as of 2023, there were 207,500 psychologists working in the US and by 2023 there are expected to be 14,000 more job openings in the field. The future job prospects for psychologists look promising as the BLS predicts the demand for these professionals will see faster then average growth.

The BLS states that clinical and counseling psychologists earn a mean salary of $106,600 annually or an hourly wage of $51.25. These earnings are based on many factors, including location. For example, those who practice in New York earn substantially more than practitioners in Kansas.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What skills will you need?

A psychologist needs good communication, patience, and good listening skills. They also need to be good at problem-solving, research, and have strong ethics.

How much can you make?

Phycologists make between $66,000 to $91,000 on average.

Where do these specialists work?

Psychologists can work in many different areas. Some common places include:

  • Medical centers
  • Veteran’s centers
  • Colleges and universities
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Businesses and industry
  • Mental health clinics
  • Addiction/rehabilitation centers
  • Schools
  • Prisons

What is the job outlook?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts, between 2016 and 2026, the job outlook for psychologists will grow by 14%.

How long does it take to get into this field?

Most people take between 8 to 12 years to become a psychologist. Requirements will vary by state, but in every state you must earn a doctoral degree, gain a specific amount of supervised experience, pass a state licensing exam, and continue to renew your license.

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