Psychologists (4151)

Job titles

• behaviour modification agent (health and social services network)
• behavioural modification psychologist
• behavioural psychologist
• View all job titles

Nature of work

Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy and research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning. Psychologists work in private practice or in institutions such as clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, businesses, schools and universities, and government and private research agencies.

Fields of interest

• Counseling, helping others
• Teaching, educating
• Working for yourself
• Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

• Psychologists perform some or all of the following duties:
• - Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
• - Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
• - Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment and offer mediation services
• - Use standard psychological tests for assessment
• - Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
• - Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, memory, perception and language development
• - Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
• - Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
• - Provide consultation services to government and other organizations.
• * Psychologists may specialize in applied psychology or experimental research. Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational and school psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.

Main characteristics of the occupation

• * Interests
• * Physical activities
• * Aptitudes
• * Environmental conditions
• * Data, people, things

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

• * A doctoral degree in psychology is required for the designation "Psychologist" in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
• * A master's degree in psychology is required for the designation "Psychologist" in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
• * A master's degree in psychology is required for the designation "Psychological Associate" in Ontario and Manitoba.
• * In Prince Edward Island, a doctoral degree is required to work in private practice, or a master's degree with practice limited to institutions and agencies.
• * A period of supervised practical experience is required in most jurisdictions.
• * Successful completion of the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is required in most provinces.
• * Oral examinations and board interviews are also required in some provinces.
• * Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
• * Membership in the provincial professional association for psychologists is mandatory in all provinces, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
• * Psychologists become specialized in a particular area through training and experience.

Skill type

• Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion

Skill level

• Professional

More information

• * Psychological associates may be granted permission by provincial regulatory authorities to perform duties normally restricted to psychologists, specifically diagnosing psychological disorders and communicating diagnoses to clients.

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

• * Psychiatrists (in 3111 Specialist Physicians)
• * Psychologists who teach at universities (in 4121 University Professors)
• * Psychology research assistants, non-university (in 4164 Social Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers)
• * Psychology research assistants, university (in 4122 Post-Secondary Teaching and Research Assistants)
• * Psychometrists (in 4169 Other Professional Occupations in Social Science, n.e.c.)

Professional associations

• Association des psychologues du Québec (APQ)
• Association des psychothérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
• Association québécoise des psychologues scolaires
• Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPPQ)
• Société québécoise de psychologie du travail et des organisations
• Société québécoise des psychothérapeutes professionnels (SQPP)