Find out everything you need to know about becoming a Psychologist.

Job Title - Psychologist

Description

A Psychologist sees clients for psychological assessment, psychotherapy and counselling. You will work with individuals, couples, families, organisations and groups. You may also select people for posts and do evaluations.

Typical Job Activities

Clinical psychology: The clinical psychologist usually works in a hospital or in private practice where diagnostic and therapeutic services are provided to patients who are experiencing emotional and/or mental distress
Counselling psychology: The counselling psychologist works mainly with people experiencing everyday adjustment problems and is responsible for career counselling, marriage counselling and general guidance
Educational psychology: The educational psychologist works in an educational environment. Pupils, students, parents and teachers are given advice on topics such as academic performance and developmental strategies
Industrial psychology: The industrial psychologist works in a business or industrial setting. Your function will be to direct the economic well-being of the employing organisation

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Related Occupations

Personnel specialist
Sociologist

Educational Requirements

Senior Certificate with matric exemption for 4-7 years University/Technikon Studies

Compulsory subjects: None
Recommended subjects: Mathematics and Biology 

University

A B-degree must be obtained with psychology as a major subject

Post-graduate study: Honours degree in Psychology 

After completing this degree the prospective psychologist must apply for selection for a Master’s degree in one of the five above mentioned fields. The selection is a very intensive process and only a limited number of students are selected. 

Master’s degree in Psychology: The duration of this degree is two years. The first year is predominantly theoretical but includes supervised practical work. In the second year an internship has to be done under the supervision of a registered psychologist. A short thesis must also be written.

Registration

After complying with all the requirements for the Master’s degree and successfully completing the internship, the prospective psychologist has to apply for registration with the Interim National Medical and Dental Council in one of the five recognised categories of clinical, counselling, educational, and industrial or research psychology.

What natural skills and/or aptitudes do I need for this occupation?

Be emotionally stable
Be mature
Be able to deal effectively with others
Be sensitive, compassionate and patient
Have the ability to lead and inspire others
Be able to work independently or as part of a team
Have above average intelligence
Be able to express himself well in speech and in writing
Be able to keep intimate information confidential and to uphold a very strict ethical code

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Employment Opportunities

Low

Market Competitiveness

Moderate

Income Potential

High

Self-Employment Options

High

International Employment Market

High

Possible Employers

Government - national, provincial, local councils and related organisations like Educational institutions, hospitals and clinics
Big private companies – HSRC and CSIR
Medium or small companies – Consulting agencies
Self-employed: own practice

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Relevant Contact Details

Psychological Society of South Africa
www.psyssa.com/

South African College of Applied Psychology
http://www.sacap.edu.za/

Career Progress and Path

Further Studies in the specific career field
Further studies in related fields
Experience in specific field
Work performance
Do presentations, seminars, publish articles, etc.

Possible Career Paths

Specialist career in the specific field
Management positions in the specific field
Consultant/ contractor/ own practice/ freelance
Own business

Employment Stability

Moderately stable

Reasons to consider this career

A job in government
A job in private companies
To start my own business
To be of service to people
To work with people
To apply my special skills