What is a Psychologist?
A psychologist studies how we think, feel, and behave from a scientific viewpoint and applies this knowledge to help people understand, explain, and change their behaviour.
A psychologist holds a master’s and/or doctoral degree in psychology that involves from 6 to 10 years university study of how people think, feel, and behave. Psychologists who hold doctoral degrees can use the title ‘Dr.’.
Psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose problems related to thinking, feeling, and behaviour, as well as trained to help people overcome and/or manage these difficulties. A psychologist is uniquely trained to use psychological tests to help with assessment and diagnosis. Psychologists help people to overcome or manage their problems using a variety of treatments or psychotherapies. Psychologists do no prescribe medications, so clients often consult his/her physician or psychiatrist about medication while seeing a psychologist for psychotherapy.
Where Do Psychologists Work?
Some psychologists work primarily as researchers and faculty at universities and at governmental and non-governmental organizations. Others work primarily as practitioners in hospitals, schools, clinics, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, and private offices. Many psychologists are active in both research and practice.
What Do Psychologists Do?
Psychologists engage in research, practice, and teaching across a wide range of topics having to do with how people think, feel, and behave. Their work can involve individuals, groups, families, as well as larger organizations in government and industry. Here are some of the kinds of issues with which psychologists focus their research and practice:
- Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, trauma, phobias, etc.
- Neurological, genetic, psychological, and social determinants of behaviour.
- Brain injury, degenerative brain diseases.
- The perception and management of chronic pain.
- Psychological factors and problems associated with physical conditions and disease (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, stroke).
- Psychological factors and management of terminal illnesses.
- Cognitive functions such as learning, memory, problem solving, intellectual ability, performance, and academic achievement.
- Developmental and behavioural abilities and problems across the lifespan.
- Criminal behaviour, crime prevention, services for victims and perpetrators of criminal activity.
- Addictions and substance use and abuse (e.g. smoking, alcohol).
- Stress, anger, and other aspects of lifestyle management.
- Court consultations addressing the impact and role of psychological and cognitive factors in accidents and injury, parental capacity, and competence to manage one’s personal affairs.
- The application of psychological factors and issues to work such as motivation, leadership, productivity, marketing, healthy workplaces, and ergonomics.
- Marital and family relationships and problems.
- Psychological factors necessary for maintaining wellness and prevention of disease.
- Social and cultural behaviour and attitudes, the relationship between the individual and the many groups of which he or she is part (e.g. work, family, society).
- The role and impact of psychological factors on performance at work, recreation, and sport.
What is the Difference between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
A psychologist holds a master’s and/or doctoral degree in psychology that involves from 6 to 10 years of university study of how people think, feel, and behave. Psychologists who hold doctoral degrees can use the title ‘Dr.’.
Psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose problems related to thinking, feeling, and behaviour, as well as trained to help people overcome and/or manage these difficulties. A psychologist is uniquely trained to use psychological tests to help with assessment and diagnosis. Psychologists help people to overcome or manage their problems using a variety of treatments or psychotherapies. Psychologists do not prescribe medications, so clients often consult his/her physician or psychiatrist about medication while seeing a psychologist for psychotherapy.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who go on to specialize in mental health and mental health disorders. Psychiatrists often use medication to help their clients manage their mental health disorders and there are some disorders for which medications are very necessary. Some psychiatrists also do psychotherapy, much like psychologists do.