How to become a Psychologist

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Are you a good listener? Are you fascinated by the study of human behaviour? If the answer's yes, then becoming a Psychologist could be the perfect career move for you.

Psychology is the study of how people think, how they act, react and interact. As a Psychologist you will research and analyse these factors.

Areas of expertise Psychologists can go into include clinical psychology, educational psychology, sports psychology and neuropsychology, to name a few.

Although specific responsibilities vary greatly from specialism to specialism, the role of a Psychologist will generally include the following:

Research and analyse human behaviours and the human condition
Administer tests and assessments and investigate different hypotheses to help diagnose a patient’s condition.
Apply an in-depth knowledge of psychological theory to help understand a patients' problems and advise them on the best course/s of action.
Provide treatment for a wide variety of different situations, ranging from depression, anxiety, and phobias through to overcoming addictions, relationship problems and specific mental disorders.

To become a Psychologist you will need to possess excellent listening skills, and the ability to empathise and be compassionate towards clients is essential. Strong interpersonal skills are also a must, as you continually strive to meet the objectives of the client.

Other key skills include:

An analytical mind
Exceptional communication skills
Patience, being able to build trust and maintain client confidentiality at all times
Tolerance and tact
The ability to ‘switch-off’ outside of business hours, and not let the emotional nature of the work leave any lasting effects

"The best part of the job is being able to help people, whether that be overcoming a fear that’s holding them back, or some difficult personal problems. I get to work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds, and help them try and achieve a better standard of life. In terms of personal rewards, jobs don’t really get much better than that."

Get qualified

To become a Psychologist, you'll need to take a psychology degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), or do a psychology conversion course. You'll also need an accredited postgraduate qualification in the specialism you're looking to work in.

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