What Do Psychologists Do?
A psychologist is a doctoral level clinician. This means they have the letters PhD, PsyD or EdD behind their names and the education and training to go with them.
A PhD takes five to eight years to finish while a PsyD takes four to six years and an EdD averages between three to five years. Each degree has a specific focus such as research and academic scholarship or the use of psychological knowledge in a clinical practice setting.
A doctoral level clinician has scientific training in the study of emotion, cognition and behavior. Psychologists conduct assessments, reach diagnoses and practice psychotherapy across the human lifespan from children to seniors.
Psychology Within Mental & Behavioral Health
How does a psychologist operate within the realm of mental and behavioral health?
Psychologists bridge three areas of treatment: social science, neuroscience and medicine. They do this as part of an integrated treatment team in cooperation with psychiatrists and medical doctors.
A psychologist uses evidence based treatment modalities and methods to improve a client’s health behaviors, mental disorders and overall quality of life.
How Psychologists Differ From Other Providers
Psychologists differ from other providers but they make up a crucial part of the treatment team when it comes to mental health, behavioral disorders and addiction treatment. It’s not only the letters after their names that are different.
Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists
Psychologists have a non-medical doctorate. They focus on testing and talk therapy.
Psychiatrists are Medical Doctors (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and both are licensed physicians. Psychiatrists focus on the biological aspects of treatment such as medication management.
A psychologist deals with the emotional and psychological aspects of a person and provides treatment through talk therapy. A psychiatrist provides medication prescriptions and deals with the medical side of treatment.
Psychologist vs Counselor/Therapist
The training, education and research that go into getting a doctorate are what differentiate a psychologist from a counselor or therapist. To become a PhD, PsyD or EdD an individual must have a research focus that contributes to a field’s knowledge to complete their degree.
An example might be studying the impact of a fitness app on obesity or exploring the effectiveness of eating interventions in school nutrition programs.
A counselor or therapist (LPC/LMFT) has a master’s level education that typically takes two to three years to complete. Counselors need one to two years of supervised clinical experience after obtaining a master’s degree before they can practice unsupervised.
Unique Expertise: Assessment, Research & Limited Prescribing
Some states allow psychologists to prescribe medications. These psychologists have specialized training in psychopharmacology.
Psychologists must complete a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology and a doctorate in psychology and pass a rigorous exam before they can prescribe medications. They’re supervised for two years before they can prescribe medications on their own. Eight states and Guam currently offer this unique authority.
What Psychologists Do
Psychologists play a crucial role in an integrated mental health treatment team. They offer treatment and act as a liaison to other care providers.
Psychological Assessments & Diagnosis
If you’ve ever had a personality, intelligence or aptitude test then it was likely administered by a psychologist. These standardized test batteries are a few of the common tools psychologists have in their toolbox for treating clients.
They also conduct clinical interviews and perform behavioral observations. They spend time with a client testing, assessing and observing so they can generate a diagnosis and treatment plan. Diagnoses are standardized in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision).
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches
A psychologist tailors their treatment to each individual. They do this based on client goals and use validated tools to measure the outcomes.
Treatment includes evidence based therapy approaches. One such approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a type of talk therapy that helps clients change negative thoughts and behaviors into more positive ones and is an effective form of treatment for many people.
Other evidence based therapies include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Researchers have studied these therapies for many years and they have been proven effective for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
Telepsychology & Integrated Care
Video conferencing has broken down barriers to treatment for many clients who no longer need to worry about how they’ll get to therapy appointments. Psychologists now offer teletherapy to many clients. Video sessions are HIPAA compliant and you can see and talk to your psychologist as you would if you met in person.
Psychologists use new methods such as digital CBT apps and asynchronous messaging. These new technologies help psychologists coordinate with psychiatrists, primary care providers (PCP), rehab providers and school teams for a client centered and holistic approach to mental health and substance use treatment.
Types of Psychologists
Psychology encompasses many areas and aspects of human behavior. Psychologists typically choose between specializations as doctors do.
Clinical & Counseling
Clinical psychologists develop a treatment plan to help clients in talk therapy (psychotherapy) sessions. They assist their clients in developing effective coping mechanisms to deal with their mental health conditions.
A clinical psychologist is trained in a medical setting though they don’t prescribe medications. They typically have good problem solving and communication skills and are compassionate individuals. Most work in a hospital or private practice.
A counseling psychologist is similar to a clinical psychologist but they don’t always need as much education. Counseling psychologists often specialize in child psychology, marriage counseling, family therapy or life coaching. They help clients manage emotional stress, swap destructive habits for more constructive behaviors and overcome mental health obstacles.
Child, School & Developmental
Child psychologists work with children who have developmental disorders such as autism. They collaborate and coordinate with educators to develop IEPs (individualized education programs) and assist in behavioral interventions.
They help kids with learning disorders, ADHD and problems with academic achievement. You’ll find child psychologists in schools, hospitals, community health centers, research centers and in private practice.
Neuro, Health, Forensic & Organizational
Neuropsychologists study the relationship between the brain and behavior after a disease or injury. For instance they may look at a boxer’s behavior after years of punishing boxing matches or the effects of Parkinson’s disease on an individual’s behavior.
How a person copes with chronic illness, sleep, pain or lifestyle changes is another area of study for neuropsychologists. Neuropsychologists may assist in workplace selections or jury consultations as well as assist in forensic investigations.
Education, Training & Licensure
A psychologist is a highly educated and trained individual. Obtaining a psychology degree requires a bachelor’s degree which typically takes four years to complete. After completing a bachelor’s degree some individuals move to a master’s degree program and then a doctorate while others choose to go directly into a doctorate program.
Doctoral Paths: PhD vs. PsyD
Both the PhD and PsyD titles require a doctoral degree. An individual must first get a doctorate in psychology before they can obtain a license to practice psychology.
Doctorates require between four and seven years of study. Individuals working toward a PhD focus on research while those studying for a PsyD focus on clinical practice.
Both degrees are APA accredited and both require a dissertation. A PhD typically requires original research for the dissertation while the PsyD focuses on applied clinical problems.
Supervised Practice & State Licensure
It’s against the law in the United States to practice psychology without a license although there are a few exceptions in research, government agencies and education. Each state has specific requirements for obtaining licensure.
Most states require a supervised predoctoral internship of about 2,000 hours that typically takes about one year. The internship often includes 500 hours of client contact. Another one to two years of supervised work are required after completion of the doctoral degree. This includes approximately 1500 hours of supervised work with 500 hours of client work.
Individuals who wish to practice must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Most states also require a criminal background check during the licensing process that includes fingerprinting.
Prescriptive Authority in Select U.S. States
Some states allow limited prescribing abilities for psychologists with a post-doctoral master’s degree in psychopharmacology. They must also pass a certifying exam. This practice is beneficial since it expands access to integrated behavioral health treatment in underserved rural areas.
Getting Help
It’s no secret that it’s difficult for many people to ask for help especially when they may need it the most. Societal stigmatization, family pressure and even peer groups may influence you away from seeking help.
It can be especially difficult for men to take this step because they may have ingrained beliefs about masculinity that make it hard to reach out to a psychologist. Don’t ignore the signs in yourself or your loved ones if it’s time to get help.
Signs It’s Time to See a Psychologist
Almost anyone can benefit from therapy but there are times when it can make a significant difference in the quality of an individual’s life and experience. If you or someone you know has anxiety, persistent sadness, sleep issues, trauma flashbacks or impaired daily function then that’s a sign that it’s time to see a psychologist.
Major life transitions are a good time to consider getting help from a psychologist. These may include but aren’t limited to divorce, death, grief, performance blocks or career burnout. A psychologist can offer you valuable and effective strategies and tools to deal with life’s many challenges.
Choosing a Provider, Costs & Insurance
Tere are a few things you should do when you reach out to a provider. Verify their license, take a look at their specialty and make sure they’re a good fit for you. Are they LGBTQ+ friendly? Do they work with Spanish speaking clients?
You want to make sure the therapist is culturally responsive and competent for your situation. Remember that you can always switch therapists if you aren’t connecting after a few sessions.
Most insurance now covers some type of mental health therapy but you need to understand your coverage before your first appointment. Check whether the psychologist is in-network with your insurance, whether you can use your FSA/HSA for payment or if they offer an income based sliding scale payment option.
You may be pleasantly surprised to see that your insurance provider offers free or low cost telehealth options. Telehealth parity laws ensure that if services are covered in person then they must also be covered when delivered through telehealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Psychologists Prescribe Medication?
Most psychologists can not prescribe medication but there are some exceptions. A psychologist with additional training who passes a rigorous exam and has two years of supervised prescribing privileges may prescribe medications.
Eight states and Guam currently allow this. It’s especially beneficial if you live in an area that’s underserved by licensed psychiatrists.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
One of the benefits of seeing a psychologist is that it’s outcome based and goal oriented. Most clients see substantial benefits after 12 to 20 sessions for common emotional and psychological issues.
Every individual is different so you may require fewer or more sessions. Some people find therapy so beneficial that they continue attending for years.
Is Online Therapy Effective?
The evidence is strong that CBT offers comparable outcomes for clients attending appointments in person and those using online therapy. This is for mild to moderate conditions.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Are you feeling down or depressed or struggling to deal with the death of a loved one or a divorce? Maybe you’ve lost a beloved pet or gone through a breakup.
There’s no right or wrong reason to enlist the help of a psychologist. We all need a helping hand sometimes so there’s no reason not to pick up the phone and take that next step and make an appointment.
Contact Our Licensed Psychologists Today
Boca Recovery Center makes it easy to take that next step. We offer free 15-minute consultations to discuss your current situation, your goals for getting help and your therapy options.
We have same-week openings for both in-office and virtual therapy sessions and we accept insurance. Reach out today and let’s get started together.
