Psychological Professions
Mental health problems are more common place than you might think, affecting around one in four people to varying degrees.
Roles in Psychological professions involve supporting someone to make a difference in their mental well-being. You will be a professional who helps those who are struggling with mental health conditions as well as evaluates and studies behaviour and mental processes.
If you have an interest in the human mind a career as a psychological professional might be for you.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists support people with a range of mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions and more. They work with other disciplines to design and implement interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy and coping strategies to help overcome their condition.
Counsellor
Counsellors encourage people to talk about their feelings.
Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychology is a broad field that applies the principles of psychology to the criminal justice system and criminal law. The field has witnessed dramatic growth in recent years. Forensic psychologists work with the psychological aspects of investigation, legal process and offending behaviour and apply psychological methods to reduce the impact of this and future re-offending.
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)
As a psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) working within improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) services you will undertake a comprehensive patient-centred assessment and support a range of low intensity interventions informed by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Peer Support Worker
Peer support workers are people who have lived experience of mental health challenges themselves.
They use these experiences and empathy to support other people and their families receiving mental health services.
The role that peer support workers fulfil will depend on the type of service they are based in, but could include:
- working one to one with service users or patients
- supporting people in care planning
- helping people engage with activities
Peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other.
Peer support involves people sharing knowledge, experience or practical help with each other.
High Intensity Therapist
High intensity therapists equip people with the tools and techniques they need to overcome complex problems related to anxiety and depression.
A large part of your role will be to assess a service user’s suitability for evidence-based psychological interventions, formulating and implementing treatment and evaluating progress.
Entry Requirements
The entry routes vary dependent on the role but to work as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner or a Forensic Psychologist a degree in Psychology will be required. To work as a High Intensity Therapist you may need to undertake a trainee post within Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. Finally to work as a Counsellor you will usually need a recognised qualification in counselling such as a degree or diploma.
