How to become a Psychologist in the philippines

If you want to know How to become a Psychologist in the Philippines or elsewhere around the globe, you are fortunate to come across this piece.

Psychology careers are both diverse and lucrative. Psychology experts can assist individuals and groups in better understanding their thoughts, behavioural patterns, emotions, social dynamics, and cognitive processes.

Furthermore, the Bureau of Labour Statistics says that psychologists are in high demand in a variety of professions and contexts.

Many times, individuals and groups benefit from the promotion of mental health and positive behaviour.

Also, Psychologists work with a wide spectrum of people, including children, adults, couples, families, and businesses, on a variety of topics.

10 Personal Requirements for a Psychologist

1. High interest in people and human behaviour
2. Ability to listen to others
3. Ability to solve problems
4. A sense of understanding and perception
5. A patient and caring attitude
6. Strong logical thinking
7. An inquisitive mind
8. A sense of empathy for others
9. Emotional maturity
10. Good oral and written communication skills

No matter the career path you intend to take, there are FOUR BASIC STEPS you must pass through to become a Psychologist.

Steps involved on How to become a Psychologist

Therefore, a person can only be called a certified Psychologist after going through these steps.

• Get a Degree in Psychology

To work as a psychologist, you’ll first need to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. The course can be studied either as a major in social science, science, or arts for four years. Following that, one of the two is required; Either a two-year approved postgraduate qualification

majoring in Psychology or two years of supervised experience with a Registered Psychologist.

Depending on your ultimate aims, the required educational path for a psychologist varies. A doctoral degree is required to work as a psychologist, with a few exceptions.

A Ph.D. in psychology is the finest course to take if research is your interest. A Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is a better fit if you’re more interested in the clinical and practical side of psychology.

Meanwhile, some other fields – like industrial/organizational psychology, may require only a master’s degree.

Nevertheless, a psychologist’s education does not end with a degree. As a condition of the license, most state boards require psychologists to undergo continuing education.

• Fieldwork Experience

What is a degree without fieldwork?

Psychology is more practical than theoretical. Hence, it is impossible to be a certified Psychologist without fieldwork experience. Even after attaining the required degrees, as an aspiring Psychologist, you must go through proper fieldwork. This would enable you to understand and master your field of choice.

Just as educational requirements vary; depending on your area of interest, fieldwork experience also varies.

Most psychology degree programs include supervised practicum classes. These classes provide aspiring psychologists with vital experience in their area. Students work closely with specialists in the field to get a sense of what it is like to be a psychologist. Many schools include practicum assignments as part of their Ph.D. psychology programs for two semesters.

•  Get a License

Psychologists may be required to obtain certification by a specialist board or licensing organization, depending on your practice area. Some states, for example, require school psychologists to be certified or licensed by the state department of education.

Certification and license are very important before you can be allowed to practice in a particular place.

However, a license can only be used in a specific location or state. It is important to note that a license may be certified in one state but not in another.

If a practicing Psychologist wishes to relocate, he must first obtain a license for that area before being permitted to operate in that state.

• Practice! Practice!! Practice!!!

While your degree, fieldwork experience, and license are vital, practice is the most effective way to master a skill.

To stay in good form, a psychologist must continue to practice. You must keep reading and studying. This would keep you updated on a new trend or development.

For example; a psychologist from the previous decade will not be as relevant if he doesn’t keep up with the latest findings and evolutions.

A Psychologist must stay current with the increase in technological innovation, social media, and digital knowledge. Humans are not static, hence they will continue to evolve to adapt to their surroundings. In turn, a psychologist must continue to learn and practice. Keep practising!

How to become a Psychologist in the Philippines

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS Psychology) is a four-year degree program in the Philippines that studies human behaviour and thought.

In the Philippines, you can also take the  Master of Arts in Psychology (MA PSYCH). It is a two-year graduate program that builds on and strengthens the information and abilities earned in a psychology undergraduate program.

It is intended to introduce students to diverse ideas, methodologies, strategies, and principles used in the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes.

Students will be prepared to work in the fields of psychological assessment and diagnosis, counselling, group influence, and psychological research as a result of this degree.

Finally, a graduate of an MA in Psychology must pass the Licensure Examination for Psychologist to become a licensed Psychologist in the Philippines.

The Board of Psychology administers the test, which is overseen by the Professional Regulations Commission(PRC).

Major Career Paths in Psychology

Under the umbrella of psychology, there are numerous job opportunities for psychologists. Some of these branches include;

• Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychologists are concerned with evaluating and treating psychological abnormalities or issues in persons. They conduct their experiments using standardized psychological approaches.

They also assess psychological disorders using interviews and psychological exams and then provide either individual or group psychotherapy.

Generally, Psychologists in this field deal with the study, assessment, treatment and prevention of abnormal behaviour in disturbed individuals. As the name implies, clinical psychologists are found in hospitals and clinics.

•  Counselling Psychology

Unlike clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists deal with the assessment and treatment of individuals with less severe problems. They are more concerned with “normal” daily problems like choosing a career, coping with marital and family problems etc.

Their interest is in interrelationship amongst gender, age, social class coping strategies and daily adjustments.

Most counselling psychologists are found in schools/educational institutions.

•   Educational Psychology

The human dimension in learning is the focus of educational psychology. It is an area in which educational approaches developed from psychological laboratory experiments are used. Experimentation is carried out here to see if such notions may be used for education.

The following objectives are some pursued by educational psychologists:

*Creating educational goals and criteria.

*To set up teaching procedures and guidance programmes.

*Assisting in achieving a better relationship between teacher and students.

•   Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/organizational psychologists investigate how people behave in business and industry. This group of psychologists focus on using psychological concepts to find better answers to challenges that develop in the workplace. Industrial strife, excessive turnover, inefficiency, management, and a variety of other work-related concerns are all examples of such crises.

They also look into how workplace and organizational issues including working conditions, pay, management and leadership styles, communication patterns, and decision-making affect employee productivity, job satisfaction, and morale.

Consumer, engineering, and comparative psychology are all subsets of this area of psychology.

•  Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychologists study or investigate how people grow and develop throughout their lives. They research human mental and physical development from conception to childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old life.

However, due to the complexity of the branches of Psychology, most developmental psychologists specialise in one aspect of the human lifespan such as childhood, old age, etc.

• Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists apply psychological research findings, as well as knowledge, skills, and procedures, to law enforcement concerns. It also covers the investigation of criminal behaviour, the gathering of evidence, the identification of personality traits that are likely to predict crime, and the use of technology to aid police investigations and courtroom behaviour.

During a criminal investigation, a forensic psychologist’s abilities and knowledge are usually used to assist the police, lawyers, and judges.

Other branches of Psychology include;

Social Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Personality Psychology, Rehabilitation Psychologists and Neuro-Psychologists.

Undoubtedly, you should have figured out the answer to the question “How can I become a psychologist?”. However, each of the aforementioned branches of psychology has its own set of goals and paths to follow.

As a result, you must thoroughly understand the prerequisites for the specific discipline of psychology in which you wish to pursue a career.

Obtaining a four-year degree is usually the first step in becoming a psychologist. After that, you’ll have a period of concentrated fieldwork experience to help you master your chosen career path in the course.

The next step is to obtain a license in the state where you plan to practice. It’s worth noting that each state or location has its unique set of licenses.

Finally, you must continue to practice and study. This will assist you in keeping up with fresh developments in the human race.

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