Psychologist
Also known as: expert counselling psychologist, practitioner of counselling psychology, practitioner of sport and exercise psychology, practitioner of occupational psychology, sport and exercise psychologist, expert in counselling psychology
About this occupation
Psychologists study the behaviour and mental processes in humans. They provide services to clients who deal with mental health issues and life issues such as bereavement, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. They also provide counselling for mental health issues such as eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and psychosis in order to help the clients rehabilitate and reach a healthy behaviour.
Essential skills and knowledge
- monitor therapeutic progress
- prescribe medication
- counsel clients
- psychological interventions
- respond to healthcare users' extreme emotions
- health care occupation-specific ethics
- consultation
- identify mental health issues
- counselling methods
- follow clinical guidelines
- psychological diagnostics
- listen actively
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Industrial-Organizational Psychologists (O*NET 19-3032.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Provide advice on best practices and implementation for selection.
- Develop and implement employee selection or placement programs.
- Analyze data, using statistical methods and applications, to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of workplace programs.
- Develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests used to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion.
- Observe and interview workers to obtain information about the physical, mental, and educational requirements of jobs, as well as information about aspects such as job satisfaction.
- Facilitate organizational development and change.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Enterprising, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making
US median pay: US$193,950 a year (2025), 790 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyExtremely important (4.8)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.0)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (4.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.4)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Training and Development Managers
- Training and Development Specialists
- Management Analysts
- Human Resources Managers
- Human Resources Specialists
- Instructional Coordinators
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Project Management Specialists
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.