Psychologists

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A typical path often starts with strong high school courses in English, biology, math, and social sciences, plus volunteering or part-time experience that shows good listening and people skills. Many students then take a university bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. From there, some continue to graduate study in psychology, with the exact level depending on the role, province, and specialization. Early experience through research, community agencies, schools, or counselling-related settings can help build practical skills. Some psychologists focus on therapy, while others move toward research or applied work.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
• Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
• Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment and offer mediation services
• Use standard psychological tests for assessment
• Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
• Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, memory, perception and language development
• Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
• Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
• Provide consultation services to government and other organizations.
• Psychologists may specialize in applied psychology or experimental research. Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational and school psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career