Job description: Psychologist

What is a psychologist?

While the twenty-first century stands out for its technological progress and social advances, it is also accompanied by a highly stressful climate for its fellow citizens. Anxiety, pressure and other psychological disorders have always represented a risk for populations. This observation, which is all the more true in our time, was only accepted, albeit imperfectly, from the 19th century onwards.

Psychology as a discipline in its own right has developed over the last two hundred years, culminating in the approach of the new millennium. Nowadays, it's normal and advisable to talk about anxieties, problems and doubts. This dialogue, sometimes broken off within couples or families, is essential to maintaining good mental health. It's in this sensitive context that the métier of psychologist takes on its full importance. This specialist in mental health disorders complements the psychiatrist. Although they have the same essential function (treating patients), their roles differ in many respects, as we shall see in this article.

Définition et mission d’un psychologue

A psychologist is a mental health specialist who studies mental processes, human behavior and emotions. Their role is to help people understand and manage their psychological, emotional or relational difficulties. Through listening, analysis and appropriate therapy techniques, the psychologist seeks to provide support and insight into the experiences and behaviours of his or her patients, whether they be past difficulties, deeper disorders or existential questions. Her main missions are:

• &Evaluation and understanding of difficulties : the psychologist expérimenté often begins with an assessment phase to identify the patient's specific problems. This assessment may include clinical interviews, observations or psychometric tests, such as questionnaires or personality tests, which help to establish a precise psychological profile and better understand the origins of the patient's disorders.
• Therapeutic support: once the difficulties have been identified, the psychologist sets up personalized support based on the patient's needs and objectives. There are many different therapeutic methods, and the psychologist chooses the one that is most appropriate, whether it be cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, psychotherapy or psychotherapy for a particular condition;psychodynamic therapies, systemic therapies or more specific techniques such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The aim of this therapy is to help patients better understand their emotions, overcome blockages and develop strategies to improve their well-being and daily functioning.
• Prévention and mental health education: the psychologist can also play a role in prevention by raising public awareness of mental health issues and promoting healthy behaviors. This can include interventions in companies to prevent psychosocial risks, school support programs for young people in difficulty, or workshops in associations.
• Research and development of new practices: some psychologists are also involved in research to develop new psychological knowledge and tools. Such research may focus on the mechanisms of stress, the effects of trauma, attention disorders or the most effective methods of therapeutic intervention. This research contributes to the evolution of practices and offers interventions that are better adapted to patients' needs.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: psychologists often work in collaboration with other health professionals, such as general practitioners, psychiatrists, social workers or specialized educators. This collaboration enables patients to receive comprehensive care, particularly when they need medical or social follow-up in addition to psychological support. In this context, the psychologist shares his or her observations and therapeutic adjustments to ensure coherent and complementary follow-up with the other caregivers.

The skills and qualities required to become a psychologist

These are many and are acquired over the course of years of study to become a psychologist. It's a demanding job, because some patients have liabilities that are hard to bear and therefore hard to hear, but also because not everyone reacts in the same way to treatment pathways. Here, in no particular order, is a list of the main qualities and skills required to ensure effective practice, but also to prepare for the best psychologist job offers:

• Écoute and communication : know how to actively coute without judgment and adapt communication to encourage the patient's openness.
• Analysis and understanding of behaviors: interpret thought patterns and actions to make a precise diagnosis and adjust therapy.
• Empathy and neutrality;: create an environment of trust by demonstrating benevolence, while remaining objective and professional.
• Motion management and resilience: maintaining motional stability in the face of intense situations to avoid burn-out.
• Theoretical knowledge and therapeutic application: master psychological methods and approaches to offer appropriate support.
• Organization and autonomy: effectively manage planning, documentation and relations with other professionals, especially in libéral.

Training and career paths to become a psychologist

University studies in psychology

In France, to become a psychologist, there are two routes: public universities or private training colleges. Both involve lengthy studies (at least 5 years) culminating in a Master's degree in psychology, the only one authorizing the practice of this profession within a regulated framework. This is the main difference between psychologists and psychiatrists, who are often confused. Psychologists do not have a medical background and are therefore not authorized to prescribe medication or dictate treatment plans.

To find out more, browse our psychologist fact sheet!

Possible specializations in psychology

After a general career in psychology, students can choose to specialize in a specific field, such as clinical psychology, child psychology, neuropsychology or occupational psychology. These specializations enable you to deepen your specific knowledge and acquire skills adapted to different audiences. Here is a list of possible specialties for psychologists:

• Clinical psychologist : clinical psychologists work mainly in hospitals, private practices or institutions, caring for patients with various mental disorders. Their role is to diagnose and treat pathologies such as depression, anxiety disorders or personality disorders.
• Occupational psychologist: the occupational psychologist intervenes in companies to help manage professional relations, prevent psychosocial risks and improve employee well-being. He can also intervene in stress management, change management or recruitment process optimization.
• School psychologist: the school psychologist focuses on children and adolescents within the educational environment. His or her role is to support children in difficulty, diagnose learning or behavioral disorders and work with teachers to improve inclusion and success at school.
• Psychologist neuropsychologist: the neuropsychologist is a specialist in cognitive and neurological disorders. In particular, he works with patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injuries or attention disorders, using specific tests and exercises to assess and re-evaluate cognitive functions.

Career and development prospects

Salaried or self-employed

As indicated, psychologists can practice under two types of status. If they opt for salaried employment, they will benefit from job stability, as well as social protection measures and advantages specific to this system. On the other hand, if they opt for self-employment, they will acquire autonomy over their working hours and methods, but will have to assume fiscal and managerial responsibilities.

Continuing training and additional specializations

Psychology is a constantly evolving field, and psychologists are often required to undergo further training to keep their knowledge up to date. Some specialties, such as cognitive-behavioral therapies or new neuropsychological approaches, require additional certification, enabling professionals to broaden their field of expertise and respond to the current needs of their patients.

In résumé, the métier of psychologistis expanding rapidly. In a society that increasingly recognizes the importance of its expertise, it is a profession with a future, capable of soothing and caring for patients with mild or severe psychological disorders. Although he is not empowered to dispense prescriptions, he acts on his own scale to help those who come to see him to cope better with their lives and the burdens they carry.

Did you like this article and want to learn more? Find out more in our psychologist salary sheet!