What is a psychologist and what do we do?

Over the course of the month, I will be talking about various mental health concerns.  Before doing so, I thought it would be helpful to define psychology and what a psychologist does.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.  To use the title of Psychologist, a person must have a doctoral degree and pass all the competencies named below.

While in graduate school, the candidate takes classes on:

• Clinical issues
• Creating, conducting, analyzing, and writing about research topics.
• Learning how to conduct, analyze and write reports using intellectual, psychological, and personality tests.
• In addition to passing classes, candidates must pass additional competency exams at various stages of education.
• Using research to write and defend a dissertation.

In a Psy.D. program (Doctor of Psychology), which is the type of degree I have, there is a significant emphasis on clinical training involving:

1. A year-long, part-time practicum conducting psychological testing.
2. A year-long, part-time practicum as a therapist.
3. A year-long full-time internship.

After completing all these steps, the candidate receives their doctoral degree. An internship totalling 2,000 hours follows.

The next step is to pass a national competency exam covering 11 areas of psychology.  Some states require an additional exam for their specific laws and ethical codes. 

Once becoming a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, we are required to demonstrate continuing education in multi-cultural issues, ethics, and clinical knowledge/skills. In Illinois, psychologist must obtain 24 hours over the course of two years to maintain their license.  Phew!  That’s a lot to read through, isn’t it?

Clinical psychology involves the application of what we learn through scientific study.  We focus on treatment of:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD
• Psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and delusional disorders
• Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Food related disorders in childhood and older including pica and anorexia nervosa
• Sexual dysfunction
• Gender dysphoria
• Addictions or substance use concerns
• Neurocognitive disorders due to Huntington’s or Parkinson, as well as dementia
• Personality disorders
• Pedophilia and other paraphilic disorders
• Relationship problems including family conflict, abuse
• Other concerns including educational problems, problems related to finance.

Psychologists treat the whole person.  We take into consideration your environment, cultural/ethnic background and how your concerns are impacting various areas of your life.

The issues I discuss this month might not always be directly or obviously related to the disorders I have identified above.  I will show you, though, how they are connected to the problems and the overall impact on your/our lives.