Psychology
Psychology is the science and study of mental processes and behavior. A psychologist is someone who usually has an advanced degree, often a Ph.D., and training in research. A psychologist is not the equivalent of a psychiatrist, who has a medical degree. Psychologists can work in a wide variety of settings, including universities, laboratories, private practices, clinics, traditional offices, counseling centers and schools.
Reasons to See a Psychologist
Psychologists are equipped to help patients who have various mental disorders and/or other issues, which include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mania
- Phobias
- Family issues
- Stress
- Addictions
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder
Types of Psychology
Research Psychology
Some psychologists spend their careers doing research to better understand the science of psychology. Their methods can be experimental or observational, and the resulting data can have an impact in the educational, occupational and clinical fields.
Applied Psychology
In applied psychology, psychologists use science in real-world applications. This is useful in the fields of mental health, business management, health and, even, product design.
Branches of Psychology
There are many branches of psychology. They include:
Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal psychology addresses, often within a clinical context, unusual behavior. Psychologists in this field are most likely to study mental disorders.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is the largest branch of the field of psychology. Clinical psychologists are trained to treat patients struggling with mental or emotional illness. They may work in private practices or at public facilities, such as community centers.
Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology studies the mental processes, including memory, perception and thinking, of the human brain.
Cultural Psychology
Cultural psychology addresses how a particular culture affects people and the way they think.
Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology studies human physical and cognitive development, from birth to old age.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is part of the criminology field. Forensic psychologists often study the behavior of criminals, or evaluate potential witnesses prior to their testifying at trials.
Personality Psychology
Personality psychology typically involves the study of human nature, and the psychological differences and similarities between people. It takes into account thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and examines how they differ from person to person.
Counseling in Psychology
Counseling is one method of therapy offered by some psychologists. There are many concerns and issues that a psychologist, who is sometimes called, in this context, a therapist, can help a client with. Areas in which a psychologist may offer counseling include:
- Child and adolescent development
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Interpersonal relationships
- Vocational
- Educational
- Health
- Substance abuse
- Mental illness
- Rehabilitation
- Eating disorders
- Workplace problems
- Couples and group therapy
Counseling usually takes place in once-a-week, hour-long sessions. Typically, the psychologist and client engage in psychotherapy, in which a client talks about his or her thoughts and feelings. This may result in the client's experiencing intense emotions. A psychologist can help a client cope with these emotions should they surface.
Psychologists often provide counseling in private settings. Other times, it may take place in more public settings, such as community and health centers, schools and workplaces. Psychologists and therapists are required by law to keep confidential anything their clients tell them. Confidentiality can only be broken if psychologists believe their patients may harm themselves or others.