What does a psychologist do?
                     WHAT DOES 
A 
PSYCHOLOGI
ST DO?
INTRODUCTION
Psychologists generally obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology, followed by a master's degree 
in psychology. Unlike psychiatric physicians and psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists 
generally cannot prescribe medication but, depending on the jurisdiction, some psychologists 
with additional training can be licensed to prescribe medications; qualification requirements 
may be apart or different from a bachelor's degree and master's degree.
Psychologists are responsible for diagnosing, evaluating, and treating an individual or people for 
mental, behavioral, emotional, educational, and developmental disorders. There are a vast or 
wide variety of types of psychologists, including clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, 
school psychologists, developmental psychologists, and more. Day-to-day or regular tasks vary 
for each type of psychologist.
TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGIST
 
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS 
DEVELOPMENTAL 
COUNSELING 
PSYCHOLOGISTS
PSYCHOLOGISTS
 
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS 
A Clinical Psychologist is a permitted or 
licensed mental health professional, generally 
with a Ph.D. in the area of Psychology, who 
specializes and train in the diagnosis, evaluation, 
and treatment of mental health-related problems 
and mental disorders. Clinical training ready or 
prepares a psychologist to treat adults and 
children either individually, as part of a family 
unit, and/or as part of a couple or other group. 
Psychologists also conduct and handle cognitive, 
academic, and personality testing, and, in the 
case of a forensic psychologist prepare for and 
participate in expert witness testimony.
COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGISTS
 
Counseling Psychology  refers to a generalist health service (HSP) specialty in professional psychology that uses a deep or broad range of culturally-sensitive 
practices and culturally informed to help people improve their well-being, prevent 
and alleviate distress and resolve crises, maladjustment, and increase their ability to 
function better in their lives.
 
As per the report, Counseling is one of the oldest disciplines in professional 
psychology, originating in 1900 (Society for Counseling Psychology, n.d.). Although 
we typically think of psychologists as working with mental illness, early counseling 
psychologists worked primarily with mentally healthy individuals or people, 
providing vocational guidance and life advice.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS 
Mental health issues are quite pervasive or 
spreading, among  students in the contemporary 
age. Revolutions in the education system and the 
advancement of e ducational practices have 
increased the competition level. Students find it 
challenging to keep up with the frequently 
changing practices and can succumb or go under 
the peer pressure caused by them. This peer 
pressure can also cause many negative impacts on 
the mental health of students. They feel stressed, 
anxiety-ridden, and in severe cases, depressed. 
 
School psychologists help students maximize or 
increase their education through an understanding 
of their psychological needs. 
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGISTS
 
Developmental psychology is a scientific approach that aims or goals to 
explain change, growth, and consistency though the lifespan. Developmental 
psychology looks at how   feelings, thinking, and behavior change throughout a 
person’s life.  
 
Developmental psychologists study a deep or wide range of theoretical areas, 
such as social, emotional, biological, and cognitive processes. Empirical and 
provisional research in this area tends to be dominated by psychologists from 
Western cultures such as North America and Europe, although during the 
1980s Japanese researchers began making a valid contribution to the field.
 
TOP 10 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A 
PSYCHOLOGIST
 Perform psychological assessments, evaluations, and testing.
 Provide diagnosis based on assessments, testing, and evaluation
 Collaborate with staff, faculty, and other professionals to provide the best care possible
 Provide referrals when needed or necessary for additional care, evaluation, or treatment
 Coordinate with case managers and psychologist about care
 Complete all necessary clinical documentation in an accurate or correct and timely 
manner
 Develop or improve and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and 
diagnosis
 Ensure all services are completed according to relevant ethical and professional standards 
of care
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY 
According to the report Psychology is defined as "the scientific study of behavior and mental 
processes". Philosophical interest in the human mind and behavior dates back to the ancient 
civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Persia, China, and India.
Psychology as a field of experimental study began in 1854 in Leipzig, Germany when Gustav 
Fechner created the first theory of how judgments about sensory experiences are made or build and 
how to experiment on them. Fechner's theory admitted and recognized today as Signal Detection 
Theory foreshadowed the development of statistical theories of comparative judgment and thousands 
of experiments based on his ideas (Link, S. W. Psychological Science, 1995). Later, in 1879, Wilhelm 
Wundt founded in Leipzig, Germany, the first Psychological laboratory dedicated exclusively to 
psychological research. Wundt was also the first person to refer to himself as a psychologist. A notable 
precursor of Wundt was Ferdinand Ueberwasser (1752-1812) who designated himself Professor of 
Empirical Psychology and Logic in 1783 and gave lectures on empirical psychology at the Old University 
of Munster, Germany. Other important early contributors to the field include Hermann Ebbinghaus (a 
pioneer in the study of memory), William James (the American father of pragmatism), and Ivan 
Pavlov (who developed the procedures associated with classical conditioning).
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