Psychologist Life Videos:

Here’s a brief list of what Psychologists do:

Assessment: Administers and interprets psychological tests and assessments to evaluate individuals' cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
Diagnosis: Diagnoses and identifies mental health disorders, developmental disorders, and psychological conditions based on assessment results and clinical observations.
Therapy and Counseling: Provides psychotherapy and counseling to individuals, couples, families, or groups to address mental health issues, emotional challenges, interpersonal conflicts, and behavior modification.
Research: Conducts scientific research studies to investigate psychological phenomena, theories, and treatment approaches, contributing to the advancement of psychological knowledge and evidence-based practices.
Consultation: Consults with other professionals, organizations, schools, and institutions on psychological issues, interventions, and strategies to improve mental health and well-being.
Advocacy and Education: Advocates for mental health awareness, education, and policies that promote psychological well-being and support individuals affected by mental health disorders.
Specialized Areas: Specializes in various fields of psychology such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, forensic psychology, and others.

Here’s how YOU can become one:

Bachelor’s Degree: Start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Coursework should cover foundational topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, statistics, and research methods.
Some students choose to major in a closely related field such as neuroscience, sociology, or biology if psychology majors are not available at their institution.

Master’s Degree (Optional): While a master’s degree in psychology can provide additional training and qualifications, it is typically not required for most licensed psychologist positions. Some individuals pursue a master’s degree as a stepping stone to a doctoral program or to gain specialized knowledge in a specific area of psychology.
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD): A doctoral degree in psychology is required to become a licensed psychologist. There are two main types:

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Focuses on research and typically includes a dissertation based on original research.
PsyD (Doctor of Psychology): Focuses more on clinical practice and practical training, often culminating in a doctoral project or clinical internship.

Doctoral programs typically take about 5-7 years to complete, including coursework, supervised clinical experience, and a dissertation or doctoral project.

During graduate school, complete supervised clinical experience or internships. This practical training is crucial for developing clinical skills and applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Gain experience working with diverse populations and addressing a range of mental health issues under the supervision of licensed psychologists or other mental health professionals.

Pass Licensing Exams: After completing your doctoral degree and required supervised experience, you must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is a standardized test covering psychology knowledge and skills.
Meet State Requirements: Each state has specific requirements for licensure, including supervised experience hours and additional exams (such as state jurisprudence exams).
Maintain Licensure: Once licensed, psychologists must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their license and stay updated with advances in the field.

Consider obtaining board certification in a specialized area of psychology, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or forensic psychology. Certification demonstrates expertise and commitment to a specific field.
Certifying bodies include the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN), among others.
This is a very brief and general plan. To know your specific academic path for this career please talk to an advisor at the college or program you plan on attending!