Mental Health Careers

The Comforter As rivers rage And pride enslaves, To cage the Soul in tears. Surrender, fear, Be still, be clear And I will Whisper... hope.

Psychiatrists Medical doctors who specialize in treatment of mental disorders –4 years of college –4 years of medical school –Internship & residency Licensed to prescribe medications

Psychologists Training: –Master’s or Ph.D. in psychology –cannot prescribe medications

Subfields of Psychology

Art Therapist Master’s degree with internship Encourage patients to express feelings (that are too difficult to talk about) through artEncourage patients to express feelings (that are too difficult to talk about) through art Interpret patients’ art- work to assist in assessmentInterpret patients’ art- work to assist in assessment

Clinical Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate with internship –Assess & treat mental, emotional, & behavioral disorders –Treatment ranges from short-term crises (adolescent rebellion) to chronic conditions (i.e. schizophrenia)

Criminal Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –Provide therapy for criminals –Study criminal mind in order to predict criminal behavior

Counseling Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate with internship Help people acclimate to change or to make change in lifestyle Examples: –help students adjust to new school or college –help people with eating disorders

Developmental Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –Research oriented profession –Study psychological development of humans that takes place through life span

Educational Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –study how & why learning takes place –look at variety of factors that contribute to learning: –ability –motivation –ethnicity –environment, etc.

Engineering Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –Research oriented profession –Conduct research on how people work best with machines –Often known as human factory specialists

Forensic Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –Apply psychological principles to legal issues –Often act as “expert witnesses” in court of law –May work for the government

Health Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –interested in how biological, psychological, & social factors affect health & illness –identify kinds of medical treatment people seek & get –identify how different patients handle illness –study most effective ways to control pain –develop strategies that foster emotional & physical well-being

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –Research orientated profession –Apply psychological principles & research methods to work place in interest of improving productivity & quality of work life

Music Therapist

Master’s or Doctorate with internship –encourage patients to express themselves through music –use of music to change & evoke moods

Neuropsychologist Doctorate –Explore relationships between brain & behavior –Concerned with storage of memories, malfunction of neurotransmitters, how brain injuries affect emotion, perception, & behavior –Help design tasks for brain study with use of neuro- imaging technology (MRI, PET, SPECT)

Pediatric Psychologist

Master’s or Doctorate with internship –assess & treat mental, emotional, & behavioral disorders in children –treatment ranges from short-term crises (separation anxiety) to chronic conditions such as conduct disorder

Recreational Therapist

Bachelor’s with Internship –work with patients to encourage them to relax and have fun –use games & physical activities to help people socialize

Rehabilitation Psychologist Master’s with Internship -work with stroke, accident victims, & people with disabilities

Rehab psychologists also deal with issues of personal adjustment, interpersonal relations, pain management, & functioning in the real world.

School Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate with Internship –Work directly with public & private schools –Assess & counsel students –Consult with parents & school staff on student’s behalf –Conduct behavioral intervention

Social Psychologist Master’s or Doctorate –Research oriented profession –Study how person’s mental life & behavior is shaped by interactions with other people –Study how society-at-large defines “normal” behavior & shapes behavioral paradigms –Interested in all aspects of interpersonal relationships (individual & group influences)

Sports Psychologist

Master’s –Help athletes refine focus on competition goals –Concerned with performance anxiety & motivation –Teach use of imagery (visualization) techniques to help athletes perfect performance

Related Fields

Childlife Activity Specialist Master’s –Generally work in hospitals or rehab facilities –Focus on emotional & developmental needs of sick or disabled children –Use play & other activities (art, games, etc.) to help children cope

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Master’s –Subfield of counseling psychology –Often work with students to provide career & college guidance –Help students with family & social problems

Social Worker Master’s –Help people with social, vocational, financial, housing, & placement problems –Conduct individual, family, & group therapy

Psychiatric Nurse Bachelor’s or Master’s degree –Nurses who are trained to work with patients who are mentally ill