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A psychologist is someone who is trained in and specializes in psychology—the study of our minds, emotions and behaviors. However, while the term may seem to have a broad definition, there isn’t just one type of psychologist. Many specialties exist within the field, and not all involve talk therapy.
Read on to learn more about different types of psychologists, what they do and who they might be able to help.
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What Is a Psychologist?
“A psychologist is anyone with a graduate degree in psychology—and there are many different types depending on their area of focus,” says Matthew Scult, Ph.D., a private practice licensed clinical psychologist based in Brooklyn, N.Y. As mental health professionals, psychologists help people understand how patterns in their thoughts, behaviors and relationships relate to their emotions and impact functioning.
Psychologists fall into two categories—clinical psychologists and nonclinical— according to Scult. Clinical psychologists work with clients to address their mental health needs and can have a wide range of specialties. They also work across a variety of age groups, backgrounds and concerns. Nonclinical psychologists, instead of clinical work, work in applied psychology. For example, developmental and cognitive psychologists often conduct research and teach.
“Psychologists In either case, often work with clients to practice skills that help them to achieve their goals, which can be thought of as exercises for the mind,” Scult says.
Most doctoral degrees in psychology take between five and seven years to finish, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Those looking to practice clinical psychology or work in a school, need an additional year-long clinical internship. In many cases, psychologists then move on to another year or two of supervised clinical experience, and must be approved by a state licensing board before they can treat patients, he adds.
“Some psychologists, called prescribing psychologists, have the proper [academic] credentialing and training to prescribe medication,” says Jack Wiley, Ph.D., an author, organizational psychologist and former professor of psychology at Manchester University. Though, depending on the state they practice in, laws may or may not authorize them to prescribe medicine.
It’s important to note, however, that a psychologist is not a psychiatrist, though the two are often confused. Psychologists typically work with more common conditions like anxiety and mild depression that don’t require medication.
Who Might See a Psychologist?
If you experience symptoms that cause significant distress or negatively impact your relationships, work or ability to go about your daily routine, Scult recommends reaching out to a psychologist.
Additional symptoms that may cause a person to seek psychological care include the following, according to Scult:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anger
- Stress
- Addiction management
- Feeling overwhelmed by a new life transition (such as moving or taking on a new job)
- Grief from a loss (such as the death of a loved one)
- Navigating a chronic illness
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Types of Psychologists
There are 54 divisions of psychology, according to the APA. Some represent different disciplines of psychology, such as clinical or social, while others focus on topical areas like trauma or aging.
The most common types of psychologists include:
Clinical Psychologists
A clinical psychologist is what most commonly comes to mind when we refer to psychologists who work directly with a client. “Clinical psychologists can be described by the type of treatment they do, the type of patients they work with, or the setting they work in,” says Scult. “One of the most common distinctions is whether someone does individual therapy or couples therapy, and whether someone works with adults or children.”
Counseling Psychologists
While clinical psychologists focus on more serious mental disorders, counseling psychologists help people navigate general physical, emotional and mental stress. “The goal is to alleviate distress, resolve crises and improve a person’s sense of well-being,” says Wiley, adding that counseling psychologists are involved in assessment, diagnosis and treatment.”
Cognitive Neuropsychologists
A cognitive neuropsychologist focuses on cognitive functioning, such as memory, attention and problem-solving. “From their casework, they develop insights about how the brain processes information, including the brain regions involved,” says Wiley.
Educational Psychologists
Educational psychologists study how people attain and retain knowledge to improve the learning process. By focusing on methods of teaching and the process of instruction, these psychologists look to improve success for those pursuing education, Wiley adds.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
This division studies behavior in the office and uses research to help employees work better. Industrial-organizational psychologists are often hired externally by companies to assess and analyze employee performance, improve policies, and design interventions and training on everything from workplace bullying to discrimination and harassment.
“Their goals include helping organizations select qualified job candidates and improving the work environment, employee job satisfaction and customer service,” says Wiley.
Military Psychologists
A military psychologist helps service members and their families cope with the stress of being on the front line. These psychologists help to maintain mental health and morale in military members and families, while applying psychological methods to contribute to assignments, evaluations, training and at times, equipment design, according to the APA.
“A military psychologist may be an industrial-organizational psychologist who assesses and helps place personnel into roles for which they are well-suited,” says Wiley. They may also be a clinical or counseling psychologist who assesses, diagnoses and treats military personnel with mental or emotional disorders, such as PTSD, he adds.
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