What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science of behavior and mind. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feeling and thought. It is an academic discipline of immense scope. It can also be defined as a vast field that encompasses the study of human thought, behavior, development, personality, emotion, motivation, and more.
How to become a Psychologist?
A Psychologist is a medical professional expert in curing mental health problems of people by providing them treatment that is focused on therapy and counseling rather than medication. To become a licensed Psychologist in India:
- One should pass the 10+2 exam preferably with Psychology as one of the subjects.
- An individual should complete a Bachelor (BA or BS) in Psychology degree, the curriculum of which focuses on “personality development, psychotherapy, stress management and neuro-psychology”
- Complete the postgraduate level in M.A. or M.sc. with specialization in Psychology, Social Work or Counseling.
- After specializing in Masters further specialize in doctoral through PhD or M.Phil.
The postgraduate and doctoral programs focus their studies more on research, which is great for pursuing either a research or teaching job, whereas the graduate degrees (Bachelors) emphasize practice, such as counseling.
In order to practice Counseling Psychology, you only need to have a BA/BS in Psychology, or in a related field (like Education or Social Work)
A successful Psychologist has:
- Analytical mind for diagnosis.
- Brilliant communication skills to effectively counsel patients who are suffering mental health diseases.
- Sky level patience and calmness while dealing with challenging patients in difficult cases and worst scenarios.
- A genuine passion and social nature to help people over their mental/behavioral challenges.
- A Psychologist should have listening capacity to carefully listen from what stage victim is going.
What do Psychologists Do?
Psychologists study a person’s reactions, emotions, and behavior, and apply their understanding of that behavior to treat the associated behavioral problems. Treatment is focused on therapy and counseling, rather than prescribing medications.
India needs more Psychologists:
Psychologists are the need of an hour. Challenges of modern life are getting worse. Hectic life is leading to a mental stress further causing to psychological problems. Changed living conditions, isolation, absence of communication, advent of modern technology are all leading to psychological problems.
If you feel that you have the compassion combined with a strong drive to help people overcome their issues, and t you can handle the pressure of getting someone else’s life on track, then a career as a Psychologist is a good option for you. It ticks the check-boxes both in terms of monetary prospects as well as respect in society.
