Wondering what do psychologists do?

With nearly 200,000 psychologist jobs in the United States, it’s a term you hear thrown around pretty frequently. But that doesn’t mean the actual job description—or what you should expect if you go see a psychologist—is as easily understood.

In this basic, guide, we’ll break down the question: what is the job of a psychologist?

What Is a Psychologist?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a psychologist is someone who studies cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors.  

There are many different kinds of psychologists, including:

• Child Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• Rehabilitation Psychologist

To be a psychologist in the United States, a person most likely needs multiple college degrees. Psychology requirements differ from state to state, but the majority of them require a Doctoral degree to practice legally.

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What Do Psychologists Do?

Psychologists work with patients to understand and explain their inner worlds. Thoughts, emotions, feelings, and impulses are all fodder a psychologist might use to give feedback or assess a client.

While it depends on the area of psychology the professional works in, many psychologists use techniques to improve their client’s behaviors.

Ranging from simple observational listening and conversations, some psychologists use assessments and even experiment on clients to provide them treatment. (Typically, the more aggressive forms of treatment are agreed upon beforehand. They’re also likely a specialist.)

Some psychologists, like industrial/organizational psychologists, also work out in the world. Studying trends and reporting behaviors in larger quantities, they look to assess whole cultures of businesses or societal institutions.

Why You Might See a Psychologist

At a very basic level, you might see a psychologist simply to put your thoughts and beliefs on the table. Psychologists help individuals clear their minds and relieve anxieties, stress, and even phobias in certain cases.

Externalizing these thoughts to an unbiased, trained professional can be a vulnerable process. But it’s a very effective way to break out of patterns and improve mental health problems.

Psychologists also offer solutions for more aggressive ailments like trauma, depression, or PTSD. With the stakes raised, the psychologist that treats these types of patients often spends up to a decade in school learning how to properly treat one specific demographic or ailment.

Psychology vs. Psychiatry

While the words are similar and the job roles share some commonalities, a psychiatrist is different from a psychologist.

Namely, a psychiatrist is a trained medical professional. Along with being able to treat and observe their patients, they can also prescribe them medication, often in an attempt to improve health or balance a patient’s brain chemistry.

Psychologists cannot legally prescribe or even recommend medication. Their job focuses more on treating emotional and mental suffering through a variety of interventions.

The Role of a Psychologist

To answer the question, “What do psychologists do?’ simply: they assess and observe cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors. Their job is to help treat people and make them better by observing this information and posing potential solutions to improve their mental health.

For more useful tips and information about mental health, keep reading our blog!