What Does a Psychologist Do? [2024 Guide]

As you’ve considered potential careers, have you ever wondered, “What does a psychologist do?”

Learning the roles and responsibilities of a psychologist can help you determine whether this is a professional path that you’d like to pursue. Of course, being a psychologist doesn’t look exactly the same for each person in this field.

You may be surprised by the wide range of psychology roles, and you may want to pay close attention to figure out which one would be the best fit for you.

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What Are the Roles of a Psychologist?

The best way to answer “What’s a psychologist?” is to find out what a psychologist does. Psychologists actually do many different things, depending on their job title and their work environment. In general, though, psychologists are experts in human thought and behavior. They use their understanding of the mind to solve problems and improve situations.

Many psychologists provide counseling and therapy for patients. They may meet one-on-one with clients or run sessions for groups. To provide targeted support for their patients, they often conduct psychological assessments and diagnose mental health disorders. They then develop appropriate treatment plans.

Not all psychologists work in clinical settings. Others are researchers, studying thought and behavioral patterns to understand humans better. Professionals in various disciplines may apply their findings to improve how they work with people or carry out their responsibilities.

Some psychologists work as consultants. They might advise groups or businesses on best practices—such as how to educate students, attract employees, improve health outcomes, or rehabilitate criminal offenders. Their advice is usually based on research and evidence.

Different Types of Psychologists (Psychology & Mental Health Treatment)

Being a psychologist is not a one-size-fits-all career. There are many different branches of psychology, and licensed psychologists do many different jobs in many different settings. Some of the most common types of psychologists are listed here:

• Child and Adolescent Psychologist: For those interested in infants, children, and teens, the field of child and adolescent psychology offers opportunities to conduct research, develop programs, and provide counseling services.
• Clinical Psychologist: If your goal is to provide therapy for patients, particularly those with mental health disorders, then this could be the specialty for you. You will specialize in the mind and behavior.
• Cognitive Psychologist: As a cognitive psychologist, you might be a researcher who studies how people learn, process information, and commit things to memory.
• Counseling Psychologist: Like clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists provide therapy, but they often specialize in general life stress and crises rather than serious mental health disorders.
• Developmental Psychologist: Professionals in developmental psychology study how people think and act throughout their lives. They often focus on a particular age period, such as infancy or old age.
• Forensic Psychologist: Combining criminal justice and psychology, people in this field may serve as expert witnesses or provide counseling for criminal offenders.
• Health Psychologist: Whether advising clients or conducting research, your job as a health psychologist could help others achieve greater wellbeing.
• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: I-O psychologists use their knowledge and research to improve workplace culture and boost organizational productivity.
• Rehabilitation Psychologist: In this role, you could use your psychological skills to help people through seasons of recovery from illnesses or injuries.
• School Psychologist: You could choose this specialty if you want to function in educational settings and help students reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom.

As you decide which type of psychologist to become, it’s helpful to consider your interests as well as your preferred job environment.

Education and Training: How to Become a Psychologist

What degree do you need to be a psychologist? It depends, in part, on what kind of psychologist you plan to become.

Most commonly, psychologists need to hold doctoral degrees. For example, if you want to serve as a clinical or counseling psychologist, this is the minimum degree requirement. Most researchers in psychology, including child, developmental, and clinical health psychologists, also hold doctorates.

Here’s an overview of what’s involved in becoming a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree:

• Undergraduate studies. You’ll first earn a bachelor’s degree—commonly in psychology or a related field—which typically takes about 4 years. Whenever possible, it’s beneficial to sign up for internships, training, or field experiences to help you gain hands-on preparation.
• Graduate studies. Because many psychology doctoral programs accept students right out of undergraduate school, this step is optional. Earning a master’s degree in psychology, which may take about 2 years, can help prepare you for more advanced studies and help you get through a doctorate more quickly.
• Doctoral studies. You can pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). The process usually takes 4 to 6 years.
• Internship. During your doctoral program, you will complete a one-year internship or training under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
• Licensing exams. Becoming licensed requires passing a national exam, and your state may have additional tests.

Some psychologists need only a master’s degree. That’s a common level of education for industrial-organizational psychologists. Also, school psychologists commonly hold Education Specialist (EdS) credentials instead of doctorates.

What Is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is a trained professional who works in the field of mental health. Psychologists study how people think and how their thoughts affect their behavior.

When you think of a psychologist, your mind might immediately go to the idea of someone who provides therapy. That is something that many psychologists do, particularly clinical and counseling psychologists. That’s not the only type of psychologist that you can become, though.

Many psychologists conduct research. For example, some want to learn the best ways to teach information, organize workplaces, or prevent crime. Psychologists can also develop programs that incorporate evidence-based research.

Where Do Psychologists Work?

Many psychologists, particularly those who provide therapy, work in office settings. A psychologist may have a standalone office, be part of a group psychology professional practice, or share space with other healthcare professionals.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28% of psychologists are self-employed. Another 21% work for ambulatory healthcare services, and 4% are employed by hospitals. Educational institutions are another major employer.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that 27% of psychologists work in elementary, middle, and high schools. Psychologists can also work for universities as educators or researchers. Other employers include research firms, prisons, and private businesses.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

Fulfilling the psychologist requirements typically takes at least 8 years, and it’s often a longer process. First, it’s necessary to earn a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes 4 years with full-time study. You might want to pursue a 2 year master’s degree after that.

For most psychology roles, it’s necessary to hold a doctoral degree as well. Program lengths vary, but it’s common to spend 4 to 6 years getting a doctorate. As part of that process, you’ll complete a one-year supervised internship. If you go to school online, you may be able to speed up parts of the process with accelerated course schedules.

Is a Psychologist a Doctor?

A psychologist who holds a doctoral degree may use the title “Doctor.” That doesn’t make a psychologist a medical doctor, though. The title signifies their level of education, not their ability to care for people’s physical health needs.

For the most part, psychologists can’t prescribe medication, but there are some exceptions. In a few states, psychologists who have completed extra training can prescribe a limited set of mental health medications. Even though psychologists aren’t medical doctors, there are some physicians who specialize in mental health. They are known as psychiatrists.

Can Psychologists Prescribe Medication?

You’ll learn about mental health medications as you study to be a psychologist, but you won’t be trained on how to prescribe them. For the most part, prescribing medication is a job for psychiatrists and other physicians.

There are a few states, though, where psychologists do have some prescribing rights. They can’t prescribe any and all pharmaceuticals, but they are able to write prescriptions for certain mental health medications. Before they can take on this responsibility, they must complete additional classes in preparation. In general, as a psychologist, you’ll refer patients to other healthcare providers for prescription medication.

How Much Do Psychologists Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median annual income for psychologists is $85,330. The typical salary range is between $48,010 and $141,910 per year.

The average salary can be quite different from one type of psychologist to the next. With a median annual income of $139,280, industrial organizational psychologists can earn some of the highest salaries in the field. Clinical and counseling psychologists have a median salary of $90,130. For school psychologists, the median yearly income is $81,500.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes all other psychologists into one additional category. This grouping has a median annual salary of $106,420.

What’s the Difference Between a Psychologist vs. Therapist?

You may wonder how the role of a psychologist differs from that of a therapist.

Psychologists	Therapists
Mental health professionals — includes clinical and counseling psychologists Usually have doctoral degrees Often run assessments and make diagnoses before treatment	Mental health professionals — includes psychologists, social workers, marriage therapists, and counselors May have master’s degrees or doctorates May focus more on helping clients resolve stress or solve problems

In other words, while psychologists can be categorized as therapists, there are many other types of therapists too.

Expanding on this, you might wonder, “Can you be a social worker with a psychology degree?” Absolutely, as the skills and knowledge acquired through studying psychology are highly relevant and beneficial for a career in social work.

What’s the Difference Between a Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist?

Becoming a psychologist is one potential career path for those interested in mental health and human behavior. Becoming a psychiatrist is another. Learning the differences can help you decide which job to pursue.

Psychologists	Psychiatrists
Not medical doctors Require master’s degrees or doctorates—around 8 years of school May provide mental health therapy for clients Median salary: $85,330	Medical doctors Require Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees—around 12 years of school Often use medication to help patients with mental health disorders Median salary: $226,880

The above salary data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s common for psychiatrists to prescribe medication, but only a few states allow psychologists to do so.

Becoming a Psychologist

Now that you have an answer to “What do psychologists do?” you might be ready to pursue this career. You can explore the various psychology specialties to determine which one best aligns with your interests and professional goals.

Getting the necessary training takes time, but many professional psychologists find their work rewarding. Fortunately, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctorates in psychology are available online through accredited schools.

When you choose to do your studies online through an accredited college, you could benefit from flexible scheduling as well as academic quality. You can take the next step in your psychology studies by exploring top psychologist degree online programs today. Click “Find My Program” to discover what’s right for you.