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“Psychology is a Profession”

Brian Kyalo (PSY/36/15)

Mr. Jonathan Chebogut

SPY 320

History and systems of Psychology

3rd April 2017

Signature…………….

Introduction

Society is crowded with many different kinds of people, which create problems of how to

live and work together and live with oneself. It is in these situations which psychology serves its

purpose by creating answers to these questions. Psychology helps create an awareness of these

problems and this awareness increases the likelihood of treatment. A student who is deciding to

enter the field of psychology has a choice to make from an array of many different and exciting

careers. All of these numerous careers in psychology fall into three basic categories of practice:

psychologists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists. Each of these categories differ slightly in

the job role and number of years spent on education but the ultimate goal of each is the same, to

aid in the advancement of society.

The first and most important part of entering the field of psychology is understanding the

amount of education needed for each of the three subareas. A psychologist is someone who has

spent four to five years of postgraduate education and has received a Ph.D. in psychology. Next,

is a clinical psychologist who has a Ph.D., specialized in a clinical subarea, and has spent an
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additional year in a supervised therapy setting to gain experience. The last area is a psychiatrist

who differs from the other two mainly because of the number of years spent in school, which gains

them the ability to prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has spent several

years in clinical training that includes diagnosis of abnormal behaviors and treating those behaviors

with prescription drugs (17).

Psychology is perhaps one of the more interesting fields to society, and it is defined as

being the study of the human mind and the brains functions. As per Medical News Today, a web-

based medical outlet, psychology is “the science of the mind and behavior”. Psychology is

applicable to all human beings and is an innate facet to human growth, development and

understanding. For a person who is interested in the field of psychology for a career, there are

some important factors to be aware of, as well as a variety of fields one may be qualified to work

in.

In order to become earn a degree in psychology, you must have completed a graduate

schooling program in psychology. There are many universities which offer programs in

psychology, however in some cases there are colleges which are solely based on psychology,

business, etc. Generally speaking, attaining a degree in psychology will depend on the type of

university one attends, what type of classes they attend, and for what amount of time. However,

the process usually may take anywhere between six to eight years of schooling; first, the initial

schooling for an Associate’s degree, then schooling for a bachelor’s degree, followed by graduate

schooling to earn a master’s degree. Once this has been achieved, most people seek out work as a

case manager or specialist. Depending upon the type of career in psychology one is looking for,

the schooling may be slightly different.

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Professions in Psychology:

1. Psychiatrist

This field is highly sought out and is extremely lucrative. A psychiatrist is based in

medicine or therapeutic practice. Much like psychologists, psychiatrists evaluate a person’s mind

and any issues or disorders they may have. However, psychiatrists also study medicine and usually

diagnose and prescribe their patients with medication. This field, however, usually takes around

twelve years of schooling, so it is important that the person is personally involved in their choice

and has a passion for it.

2. Therapist

Therapists are people who have a degree in psychology and seek to provide therapeutic

means to their patients. Normally, therapists have degrees in clinical therapy, which can be

maintained through a master’s degree program most times. Therapists seek to provide input,

comfort, and solutions to their patients through form of understanding. Usually, therapists have

their own practices or private practices. Many may imagine therapists to sit in a corner in an ornate

chair while their patients lay down on a couch and work through their issues with a quiet,

nonjudgmental ear, and they are not completely wrong in that idea!

3. Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychology is stated to be the largest employment field in psychology. Clinical

psychologists are similar to therapists in that they take the time to listen to their patient’s concerns

and feelings; however they may work with people who suffer from minor to major issues of mental

or emotional disturbance. Clinical psychologists may work in different types of institutes varying

from private practices to hospitals and governmental agencies.

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Works Cited

Benjamin, Ludy T., et al. "Psychology as a profession." Handbook of psychology (2003).

Benjamin Jr, Ludy T. "A history of clinical psychology as a profession in America (and a

glimpse at its future)." Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol. 1 (2005): 1-30.

Brayfield, ARTHUR H. "Psychology as a profession." American Psychologist 23.1 (1968): 195-

200.