Career options in psychology
Explore the many exciting career paths within the field of psychology.
Discover which path is right for you
This page will provide you with information about your options when it comes to pursuing a professional career in psychology.
Whether you are newly qualified and looking for your first professional role, or you're looking to make a brand new start in a new career, the advice provided here should be invaluable in guiding you down the right path.
The sections on this page provide you with further information about careers in psychology. Click on the job titles to find out more about each career path.
Academic Teaching and Research
Research in psychology requires the application of skills and knowledge to scientifically hypothesise about an aspect of human behaviour, then to test it, analyse it and communicate the results. Research underpins much of the teaching and practice of psychology as it provides the evidence-base for psychological theory and the effectiveness of treatments, interventions, tests and teaching methods.
Read moreAssistant Psychologist
Assistant psychologists take on a variety of different roles providing clinical support under the direct supervision of a qualified psychologist.
Read moreClinical Associate in Psychology (England) and Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (Scotland)
Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology is a specialist mental health professional whose duties include assessing, formulating, and treating clients within specified ranges of conditions and age, either in primary care/adult mental health settings or in a range of areas involving children, young people, and their families.
Read moreClinical Psychologist
Clinical psychology aims to reduce psychological distress and to enhance the promotion of psychological wellbeing.
Read moreCounselling Psychologist
Counselling psychologists focus on working with a tailored psychological formulation to improve psychological functioning and wellbeing, working collaboratively with people across a diverse range of disciplines.
Read moreEducational Psychologist
Educational psychology is concerned with helping children and young people experiencing problems that can hinder their chance of learning.
Read moreForensic psychologist
This avenue relates to the psychological aspects of legal processes in courts. Forensic psychology is also often used to refer to investigative and criminological psychology: applying psychological theory to criminal investigation, understanding psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour and the treatment of those who have committed offences.
Read moreHealth Psychologist
Health psychology is primarily concerned with people’s experiences of health and illness.
Read moreNeuropsychologist
Neuropsychology is concerned with the assessment and rehabilitation of people with brain injury or other neurological disease.
Read moreOccupational Psychologist
Occupational psychology is concerned with the performance of people at work and with how individuals, small groups and organisations behave and function. Its aim is to increase the effectiveness of the organisation and improve the job satisfaction of individuals.
Read morePsychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to assess and support people experiencing common mental health problems – principally anxiety disorders and depression – in the self-management of their recovery, via a range of low-intensity, evidence-based interventions, informed by underlying cognitive/behavioural principles.
Read moreSport and Exercise Psychologist
Sport psychology’s predominant aim is to help athletes prepare psychologically for the demands of competition and training. Exercise psychology is primarily concerned with the application of psychology to increase exercise participation and motivational levels in the general public.
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