Psychologist Facts & Worksheets

A psychologist is a trained mental health professional who helps people learn effective ways to handle their mental health challenges. They help people with depression and anxiety or those going through a tough time in life, like grieving the loss of a loved one.

See the fact file below for more information on Psychologists or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Psychologist worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• When compared to human physiology, which dates much earlier, psychology is a relatively young science with experimental roots in the nineteenth century. 
• Before the nineteenth century, anyone interested in understanding and exploring issues concerning the mind did so in a philosophical context.
• Back in the 19th century, two men are widely regarded as the founding fathers of psychology as a science and academic discipline distinct from philosophy and also the first known psychologists in history, Wilhelm Wundt and William James. 
• Wilhelm Wundt founded the Institute for Experimental Psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany in 1879. 
• This was the first psychology laboratory, and its institution is widely considered the beginning of modern psychology. Wundt is widely regarded as the founding father of psychology.
• Philosopher and psychologist William James was influential in creating Harvard’s Psychology Department, which was initially linked to the department of philosophy. 
• James personally remained skeptical that psychology was a distinct discipline, writing in Psychology: Briefer Course, published in 1892, “This is no science; it is only the hope of a science.” Despite his skepticism, this hope was realized in the department he helped to found over the next century.

QUALIFICATIONS

• There are four common steps to becoming a psychologist including earning a bachelor’s degree; obtaining an advanced psychology a master’s or doctorate (or both) degree from an accredited program and institution; completing an internship or postdoctoral programs to gain knowledge as well as experience in working with patients.
• Lastly, the fourth important step is obtaining a license. Many countries require a license to practice in order to protect patients from fraud and ensure that qualified professionals are providing mental health assistance.
• There are certain characteristics or qualifications that an effective psychologist must-have, which include:
  • To become a psychologist, you must be able to listen to and collaborate with others. Compassion and empathy for others can go a long way toward assisting with this. 
  • The patient must feel as if they are engaging with someone they can trust, and most will notice if you are not empathetic or compassionate towards them. 
  • Being open-minded is also advantageous in this situation.
  • A psychologist must be able to communicate effectively or they won’t be able to perform their duties properly; being a psychologist entails listening to others and communicating useful information in a way that others can understand.
• A psychologist must also be committed to lifelong learning. With innovations discovered in the field daily, continuing education courses, attending conferences and seminars, and reading all the latest research findings are all necessary. 
• These demonstrate a genuine dedication to the field and may lead to the discovery of new theories that can benefit your patients.

DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

• A psychologist’s job includes performing diagnostic tests, interviewing patients, and providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy. 
• They assist people in understanding and managing their problems by identifying their positive aspects and accessing helpful resources.
• Working hours cannot be generalized because there are several types of psychologists working in different setups and specializing in particular areas. 
• Private psychologists, on the other hand, have the flexibility to work around their clients’ schedules.
• Psychologists in health care, mental institutions, and prisons may be compelled to work a wide range of shifts, which include weekends and evenings. In contrast, they are rarely required to work overtime.
• Regular business hours are usually observed by therapists who work in schools, clinics, and other organizations.
• Becoming a psychologist will occasionally require you to listen to upsetting stories. Your patients may reveal sensitive information while working through past trauma, which can be challenging for those who are not emotionally stable. 
• On the other hand, being a psychologist with a history of mental illness may make you more compassionate toward patients, but symptoms must be managed.
• Mentally stable psychologists are the most effective.
• They are responsible for keeping track of a large amount of information. They need to organize the data necessary to effectively do their job, whether keeping track of patients’ files or documenting and organizing research data. 
• The best psychologists have an innate ability to keep up with patient information. It also helps to have a good memory.

TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGIST

• Clinical Psychologists – They are psychologists who specialize in mental and emotional disorders in which emergencies can occur either quickly or over time. 
  • They are well-equipped to deal with almost any concern that is conveyed to them, but they must also be specialized. 
  • As a result, clinical psychologists who specialize in depressive disorders, eating disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, drug addiction, issues affecting children and adolescents, and a variety of other areas can be found.
• Psychotherapists – Psychotherapists are in charge of providing psychological support to patients as well as teaching them a variety of techniques to help them improve their lives. 
  • The problems that psychotherapists typically treat are not as serious as those of the clinical psychologist.
• Educational Psychologists – These psychologists focus on the study of people’s learning processes. They typically work in educational settings as counselors or by assisting students with learning disabilities.
• Social Psychologists – They are experts in all aspects of human behavior and the psychological factors that influence our social interactions. 
  • Their knowledge ranges from interpersonal relationships to other topics such as culture, prejudices, and attitudes toward other people.
• Occupational Psychologists – There are occupational psychologists who work in departments such as hiring, education, occupational health, and development. They are also, on occasion,  found in Human Resources departments.
• Forensic Psychologists – They specialize in legal aspects, which makes their experience invaluable in court. They have the ability to persuade a judge to pass a fair sentence in favor of or against an accused party.
• Sports Psychologists – They work with athletes, but they often work in teams with coaches and team organizers – all to maximize team potential, increase motivation, be as efficient as possible, and effectively manage stress.
• Sexologists – Like psychologists, they specialize in identifying and treating problems with intimate relationships. They aim to improve the sexual health of people who have issues in this area, whether they are couples or individuals.

Psychologist Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Psychologists across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Psychologists who are trained mental health professionals that help people learn effective ways to handle their mental health challenges.

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Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

• Psychologist Facts
• Psychology
• Great Psychologists
• Becoming a Psychologist
• Roles of a Psychologist
• Psychological Disorders
• The Art of Understanding
• Reflection
• When to Ask for Help
• Psychological Test
• Kindness Acrostics
• Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the psychologist do?

Psychologists assist people in understanding their problems by identifying and helping to manage them. This is done by performing diagnostic tests, interviews with patients and providing careful psychotherapy.

What are the challenges of being a psychologist?

Being a psychologist often requires one to hear upsetting stories from people working with past trauma or other very negative mental health issues. It is important that the psychologists themselves are in a healthy mental and emotional state.

What is an Educational Psychologist?

Educational Psychologists assist in understanding and working with an individual’s learning processes. Typically working in settings such as school counselors, they help students with learning disabilities.

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