JT Education

Archive for the ‘Psychology’ Category

If you’re interested in psychology and want to focus on clinical study, a PsyD degree is essential. A PsyD degree is a doctorate in clinical psychology. A PsyD is the preferred choice for those wish to open their own private practice and help clients with their problems. In fact, it is required in order to become a licensed psychologist.

A PsyD is very intensive and requires an internship, dissertation and up to seven years of study before completion. This degree prepares students for the licensing exam they are required to pass before practicing as a psychologist. Although PsyD programs focus on preparing students for clinical practice, students with a PsyD degree can work in academics and research as well.

Although a PsyD focuses on clinical work, it also incorporates elements of theory and research so that students have a well-rounded education. Students also learn important skills such as effective communication, ethics, compassion and sensitivity. Since psychology involves dealing with people, students must be willing to help and listen. The research portion of the program teaches students how research is conducted in the real world. This means that students learn to work with others and present accurate and detailed findings.

The PsyD program can require anywhere from 100-141 credit hours of study. The program requires completion of the following types of courses:

- Personality and cognitive assessments
- Treating diverse populations
- Psychopharmacology
- Behavioral, experimental and psychodynamic therapy
- Assessment and intervention skills
- Group, family and couples therapy
- Consultation and supervision
- Ethics and professionalism
- Human development
- Social and physiological psychology
- Cognition
- Psychopathology
- Research and statistics
- Clinical research

One accredited school that offers this degree is Argosy University, which has a clinical psychology program that emphasizes knowledge and skill development necessary to become a psychologist. Students will learn to assess clients’ problems and strengths by using appropriate and professional diagnostic measures. They are also taught to communicate their findings effectively.

Students learn professional methods to carry out successful interventions and evaluate their outcomes. They learn critical thinking skills by evaluating psychological literature and research studies. The program also teaches students to build relationships with others, including co-workers, supervisors and clients, and working with them effectively to provide quality consultations.

Admission requirements for a PsyD program depend on the school. Some require a specific grade point average, test scores, essays or an interview with a member of faculty. Students must complete the PsyD program in seven years, although it is usually completed by most students five or six years.

Those who enter the psychology field have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, government, schools and large corporations. Besides psychology, a PsyD can prepare students who want to pursue careers in other fields, including law, government, science, academics and marketing.

Sport psychology has become a fundamental part of professional sports and may become even more mainstream in years to come. One reason for the increasing importance of therapy for athletes is the anxiety and depression that sometimes accompany fame. When coupled with the pressures of a competitive profession, the burden may hamper a player’s athletic performance. One major aspect of a sport psychologist’s job is to provide the necessary tools to cope with pressure, allowing athletes to focus on their game.

In addition to counseling individual athletes, a sports psychologist may work with an entire organization to improve morale and communication, sometimes providing leadership tools for the coaches and leading group therapy for teammates. Further illustrating the importance of psychology in sports, some coaches attain degrees in sports psychology to improve their leadership abilities and aid their athletes.

When working with individuals, psychologists must be versatile. After performing a thorough analysis of the problems plaguing an athlete, a sport psychologist generally customizes goals and therapy techniques for the individual. Issues such as an athlete’s inability to relax after a sporting event is common, but providing effective therapy may require a different set of goals and techniques for each athlete.

Some of the most common therapy goals for athletes include improving confidence, self-control and self-awareness. To reach these goals, the psychologist may utilize tools such as meditation, visualization, goal-setting and an assortment of other mental training techniques.

Another important contribution of sport psychology involves working with injured players because improving an athlete’s mental state may aid in his or her recovery. The perception of letting down their teammates may leave some athletes feeling guilty, while others may suffer from anxiety related to rejoining their teammates after an injury-induced absence. Restoring an athlete’s mental state is crucial to full recuperation, and motivational methods often play a major role the healing process.

A psychologist is part of the staff for some professional sports teams. However, consulting firms are often the source of sports psychology for professional leagues. Some consultants earn a six-figure annual salary, which is  impressive. The pay scale may not be surprising, as professional sport psychologists usually hold a Ph.D and sometimes work with major athletes and sports teams.

Professional sports have become big business, and professional leagues now view sports psychology as a critical tool for increasing the general performance of a team or athlete. As the profession has become commonplace since its meager beginnings in the 20th century, sport psychology has become increasingly important to the professional sports industry.

A career in sport psychology may be rewarding in many ways. However, assessing the link between mental and physical well-being to improve the mental state and ensure physical proficiency is not always an easy job. Talent, determination and an extensive education are necessary to maintain a fulfilling career as a sports psychologist for professional leagues.

Psychology is sometimes used to teach people to operate on a healthier level by establishing methods of communication. The key to solving problems is finding out what people are thinking, how they feel about certain issues, and then teaching them how to properly communicate their thoughts to others. Organizational psychology is a form of psychology that uses these principles to foster a more productive work environment.

The ultimate goal of organizational psychology is to increase productivity by heightening the morale of employees. One of the things an organizational psychologist does is help workers understand how they interact with their co-workers and, if necessary, how to make the changes needed to develop satisfactory relationships in the workplace.

How Organizational Psychology Works

While observing individuals and groups, organizational psychologists can determine where the strengths and weaknesses occur in a workplace and develop a plan to achieve workable solutions for any problems that exist. In order for the workplace to operate productively, all workers must be able to devote 100 percent of their capabilities to completing a job correctly, efficiently and in a timely manner. If workers are experiencing personal problems, engaged in some sort of conflict with their co-workers, or are generally unhappy with their work environment, productivity will be affected and business can suffer.

The Role of an Organizational Psychologist

An organizational psychologist works with everyone from lower-ranked employees to middle management and leadership teams. Organizational psychologists are called in to identify problems in the workplace and create solutions to remedy the situation. Once employees understand their own behavior, along with understanding the business goals and how they’re to be achieved, workers will be better able to work with others, moving in the direction needed to foster success within the business.

Professionals in this field also make recommendations about how to make an office more inviting. They create programs such as casual Fridays, rewards systems, gym memberships and mental health days. They even sometimes improve training and feedback systems

This type of psychology is used for more than just resolving issues. Sometimes the workplace doesn’t have any immediate troubles, but it just lacks motivation and drive. Through behavioral makeovers and clarification of business goals and direction, organizational psychologists can provide the assistance needed to obtain the productive boost the workplace requires.

Since the 1960s, the various methods used by psychologists have changed remarkably. Now, most of them do not identify with any particular school of thought, and prefer to concetrate on a given specialty area instead. They generally use a more universal approach, drawing on ideas from a range of perspectives. What follows are some of the major perspectives that  continue to play a role in the development of psychological thought and counseling today:

Through the study of human physiology, psychology gradually evolved and became a separate science, namely biological psychology-a perspective that stresses the biological and physical aspects of man’s behavior. It is enhanced by our present-day ability to do research and come to a greater understanding of the human nervous system and brain. Using tools such as PET amd MRI Scans, scientists can now determine the psychological effects of drugs, brain damage, and disease in a way that was never possible before.

Behavioral psychology is concerned with the way in which human behavior is learned and reinforced by relevant environmental variables. Its principles are generally applied in a mental health setting as counselors and psychiatrists use different techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental illnesses.

The cognitive perspective concentrates on our various mental processes including thinking, decision-making, memory and problem-solving. This approach has become increasingly popular in recent decades, due to the influence of Albert bandura, Jean Piaget, and others.

Cross-cultural researchers and psychologists study human behavior from a cultural perspective, and as a result, they have made important discoveries about the influence society and culture have on the individual’s thinking and related behavior.

Evolutionary researchers and psychologists apply the essential principles of evolution to various psychological phenomena. This approach maintains that certain mental processes have assisted humans in reproduction and survival throughout history.

Influenced by the work of Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and others, the humanistic perspective emphasizes the way in which motivation can influence human thought and behavior. With this approach, the concept of self-actualization is considered to be the key, along with other basic elements.

The psycho-dynamic perspective, which began with Sigmund Freud, focuses on early childhood events, interpersonal relationships, and the unconscious mind as factors in explaining human behavior and treating those who suffer from some form of mental illness.

The goal of researchers and practitioners in the field of psychology is to comprehend and interpret human emotion, thought and behavior. Their studies are based on certain topics or problems to be solved rather than any underlying philosophy, and they freely choose among various perspectives to shed some light on their investigation. Their findings also have practical applications in many areas, including the treatment of mental illness, self-help, and performance enhancement.

A degree in forensic psychology offers students exciting choices for career options, both with a master’s and doctorate degree. Forensic psychology is applying the principles of psychology to criminal situations, such as trials and parole hearings.

With the advent of television programs focusing on the investigation of crime scenes and apprehending offenders, many people already visualize this to be the typical work of forensic psychologists. The career path for a forensic psychologist is much more diverse, and it offers many different types of jobs and circumstances in which to work.

A career in forensic psychology begins with proper training and education. To obtain an appropriate degree for this field students should focus their studies on criminal justice, psychology and sociology. More job options for forensic psychologists are available with higher degrees of education. A person with a master’s degree can work in various settings including correctional centers and law offices, but someone with a doctorate will also have the ability to work with clients in counseling sessions, supervise the work of others, and even teach forensic psychology at the university level. The job options expand with additional education.

Forensic psychologists work in the judicial system and apply psychological principles to criminal situations. They may counsel offenders to determine their motive or to assess if they are criminally insane. Some forensic psychologists examine video interviews or test results of accused persons to analyze their behavior in certain situations. Forensic psychologists also take part in the jury selection process for court cases. They are able to investigate and understand the meaning behind certain behaviors or responses of potential jury members to determine if that person would be a good candidate for jury selection. Forensic psychologists are also called to be expert witnesses during court cases and must testify, giving their professional perspective about particular investigations.

Forensic psychologists must work closely with law enforcement officials, attorneys, members of the court system and many others to use their skills toward solving crimes and judging cases. Some forensic psychologists work independently as consultants, being called upon for their expert opinion. Other forensic psychologists work in private practice to counsel clients. Some clients may be criminal offenders who are mandated for therapy. Other potential clients could be families who are facing custody disputes or those whose parental rights have been revoked. They may counsel juvenile offenders to determine motive and assess the best corrective measures to take.

Forensic psychologists who have advanced degrees are also capable of training others in the profession. They work at universities and other institutions of higher learning to teach classes and meet with students about their education. They also must assist in teaching the clinical component of a student’s educational process and be available to help during the required clinical rotation.

A degree in forensic psychology offers various career paths that can lead to exciting work. The daily activities in this field provide many opportunities to work with various kinds of people and situations that make a difference in the lives of many.

Pediatric psychology, or child psychology, is the science concerned with the thought patterns and behaviors of children. Many of the findings in this area are applied to optimize the education, foster the development and improve the results of counseling for children. Just as kids differ from teens and adults in many notable ways, so do the counseling techniques employed in pediatric psychology.

Below is an overview of three techniques used in pediatric psychology that have been developed in order to foster positive behavior and well-being in children.

Play Therapy

It is common knowledge that children are unable to express or explore their feelings to the same extent as adults. To account for this limitation, counselors must use techniques that capture feelings, opinions and personalities in a way more fitting for children. Play therapy is one popular approach to counseling children that has yielded favorable results.

This technique can take many forms. For example, the therapist may allow the child to play freely and note the things the child says and does, and particularly the emotions and understandings of the world and relationships that the child expresses. Alternatively, the therapist may provide a scenario for the child to “act out” with the toys.

Art Therapy

Similar to play therapy, art therapy involves the therapist watching for thoughts and feelings expressed in the child’s art. As a nonverbal mode of expression, art can provide a perspective that the child may not be able to articulate. Of course, the art work is rarely left to speak for itself, as it were. Through discussing the artwork and the situations represented in it, the counselor can glean a fuller understanding of life through the eyes of their client, the child. From that point, they can work with the child through the same medium to help the child become better-adjusted to and more accepting of his or her situation.

This type of therapy is not limited to use with children. In fact, there are therapists who work with children, teens and adults who specialize in this kind of therapy.

Emotion Graphics

As another way of overcoming a child’s inability to fully articulate his or her experience, the therapist may use pre-made graphical charts that represent emotions pictorially. For example, if the child is trying to express a certain emotion to the therapist but can’t find the proper words to do so, the therapist may present a chart of facial expressions and ask the child to point to his or her emotion. This technique works great with children and also with verbally-challenged patients such as autistic individuals.

These are just a few of the techniques employed by counselors, which were developed based on research findings about the capabilities and development of children in the field of pediatric psychology.

Like all other fields in psychology, pediatric psychology is a rapidly developing science that will undoubtedly contribute several more effective techniques for assisting children in the future.

Business psychology is booming. It is becoming more common for leaders in the business world to consult psychologists in order to improve the ability of organizations to function effectively, grow, and solve complex problems. A career in business psychology offers a great deal of opportunities, and somebody with a background in this field will have many different options to choose from in a career. Some of the fields related to business psychology include consulting, human resources, management solutions and organizational development.

Students who pursue a degree in business psychology will find themselves being educated in several different fields. They will learn about the theory of human organizations, as well as some of the research that is currently underway in the field. This will give them the ability to select personnel, perform interventions and assess and develop organizations. They will also gain knowledge of research and statistical analysis. This will give them the ability to approach problems from a rational perspective in order to devise solutions that are more likely to work based on previous research.

Furthermore, students of business psychology will learn how to create and properly administer surveys in such a way that minimizes bias. They will gain an understanding of performance management systems and selection systems. In addition to this, many of the programs will also expose students to communication and interpersonal skills so that they can operate more effectively in a business environment. This includes the ability to resolve conflicts, communicate effectively, network, strategize, train others and develop ideas with coworkers.

Business psychology deals with many different subjects. Some of the disciplines that exist under the category of business psychology are:

Job Analysis – This is when a job is analyzed from a psychological angle. It can either be used to identify workers who are best suited to a job or to identify ways of changing a job so that workers can perform it more efficiently. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Personnel Recruitment and Selection – Business psychologists may work with the HR department to find and identify individuals who are best suited for particular jobs. They may also work together to determine where those who are best suited for the job are likely to be found.

Performance Management – This is when an individual’s behavior is weighed against what would be most effective for a job. Performance management is implemented by using feedback in order to improve productivity.

Individual Assessment – This is used to assess differences between individuals that can be used to select employees for particular jobs.

Compensation – Business psychologists may analyze a job to determine the appropriate level of compensation in order to attract the most effective employees.

Training Applications – Job analysis and structural design can be used to determine how best to train individuals for a given job.

Group Behavior – This is the study of how individuals function as a collective, and it can be applied in order for teams to operate more effectively.

Many students pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology, but many go on to obtain a graduate degree in order to provide counseling or mental health care to patients in a clinical setting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is not difficult to find entry-level careers with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Many occupations offer a starting salary of ,000 or higher.

Psych students have the option of studying a variety of coursework including abnormal psychology, behavior analysis, comparative psychology, child development, and industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology. The study of psychological principles provides a well-rounded background for employment opportunities in the private or public sector.

Advertising and Marketing

Critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and understand social behavior enables job seekers with a social sciences foundation to work wonders in the advertising field. An awareness of current events, the ability to forecast future trends, and keen communication skills are vital for the success of an advertiser or market researcher. Careers in this sector can be found at TalentZoo.com

Business Sector

Prospective employees with an understanding of human and organizational behavior have many opportunities in the government and private business arena. Human resource employees and administrative managers serve to hire prospective employees, moderate conflicts, and develop and administer employee training. In the same vein, relations officers serve as a liaison between a particular business and the general public. Human resource-related jobs are available at Jobs4HR.com.

Criminal Justice

Graduates with a background in psych may choose from a number of careers in criminal justice. Students with knowledge of human and social behavior may pursue a career as a corrections officer, detective, law enforcer, or parole and probation officer. People with an undergraduate degree in psychology may also serve as customs inspectors and investigators at airports. Careers can be found at PoliceEmployment.com

Daycare and Preschool Settings

Many psychology students find employment as administrators in early developmental childcare environments. A psych background allows people to work effectively with staff and families to provide quality care, and develop educationally rich programs for young children. Jobs in the childcare field are available at Care.com.

Freelance or Professional Writer

Persons with a background in the social sciences can contribute articles to various publications. With optimal communications and writing skills, jobs at newspapers or magazines are often the perfect fit. Writing jobs can be found at TheWriteJobs.com.

Lab and Research Assistant

Undergraduate degree holders qualify to assist scientists in various projects concerning animal or human behavior. Work is available in numerous lab settings, including business, hospital and governmental, to collect and analyze data. Research and assistant jobs can be found at theLabRat.com

With so many diverse career options to choose from, a bachelor’s degree in psychology opens up a world of possibilities.