How to Become a Psychologist
Psychology is one of the great, new professions, with its roots in some of the oldest wisdoms. A helping profession, no less than a nurse, a doctor or a minister, a psychologist is there to help turn the worst of times into something better, one slow word at a time. How do you become a professional psychologist? Obviously you don’t set up a cardboard lemonade stand like Lucy in Peanuts, and hang a sign saying the doctor is in.
There are two possible approaches, both begun while getting a BA or BS from a four year college. You can take courses that focus tightly on subjects clearly connected to your intended profession: psychology, sociology, or anthropology, or social services are all good choices. You can also choose at this point to work to develop a strong, well rounded humanities background, with a strong enough psychology t, like some professions. So where to start?
When you have a degree you want to then choose a grad school. There are many choices available to you. Most universities will offer psychological counseling degrees, as will specialized institutes of psychology. There are even programs online, offering a range of possible degrees and specializations. Be sure to check that any place you sign up with is credentialed, accepted throughout the U.S., and is respected in the field. There are a number of scams out there, so watch out. Look for a rigorous program with fully laid out steps and a strong testing ethic.
Do you want to be a practicing counselor, or an academic with psychological training? A manager for a human resources department, or a steady guide to addicts or trauma victims? There are many forms of psychological training, and before you start your graduate work you must take the time to learn the nature of the many programs and specializations. A poor choice now can doom your plans for decades to come. Clinical psychiatry takes many forms, but most involve actual practice. There are many degrees of a more academic nature, though. Be sure you know what you are signing up for.
Part of the process of gaining a degree in a clinical specialty will be an internship or practicum. In many instances you will have to set your own internship or practicum up without the help of your school. The school is allowed to approve or disapprove an internship, but in many cases will have no process in place to provide you with one. By nature a practicum will occur in a professional setting. Students have served practicums in schools as counselors, in clinics, hospitals and similar places where professional counseling may be required. Don’t be surprised to find yourself checking the want ads looking for internship openings and making cold calls to likely work sites. It goes with the territory.
After completing your degree and finishing up your practicum there is still the possibility that your state will demand you take a licensing test. The correct place to go to find the requirements for licensing in your district is the Psychological Licensing Board for your region. The variations on necessary licensing laws are many, though in most cases they will conform to the basic course work and practicum work you have already completed.
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