Profession psychologist

Psychologists diagnose psychological and emotional disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy as well as research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Social

Tasks psychologist

• Diagnose clients, e.g. through interviews, diagnostics tests, etc.
• Provide therapeutic treatment to individuals, families or groups.
• Advise clients on relevant issues, e.g. how to deal with problems of everyday living.
• Consult with other (e.g., medical) disciplines, e.g. regarding the best treatment for clients.
• Design and implement treatment programs, e.g. behavior modification programs, mental health programs, etc.
• Collaborate with other disciplines in designing and implementing treatment and intervention programs.
• Construct tests and other analytical tools, e.g. to asses and predict mental and emotional states.
• Conduct scientific research in field of specialisation, individually or by participating in a research group.
• Publish research findings in scholarly journals or books.
• Participate in professional conferences, e.g. by delivering lectures, presentations, chairing sessions, etc..

Related professions therapist

• Creative therapist
• Massage therapist
• Masseur, masseuse
• Occupational therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Physiotherapy assistant
• Podiatrist
• Psychomotor therapist
• Recreational therapist
• Remedial gymnast
• Respiratory therapist
• Slimming consultant
• Speech therapist
• Therapist or health professional, all other

Knowledge

• Behavioural disorders

  The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

• Counselling methods

  Counselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.

• Health care occupation-specific ethics

  The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.

• Psychology

  The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.

• Psychological diagnostics

  The psychological diagnostics strategies, methods and techniques concerning health-related experiences and behaviours as well as mental disorders

• Consultation

  The theories, methods and concepts related to consultation and communication with clients.

• Psychological interventions

  The characteristics of the methods and procedures meant to instigate change in human behaviour.

• Client-centred counselling

  Practice that encourages clients to concentrate on how they feel at the present moment during the counseling session in order to search for the most appropriate solutions.

• Psychological counselling methods

  The various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.

Skills

• Test for behavioural patterns

  Discern patterns in the behaviour of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of their behaviour.

• Monitor therapeutic progress

  Monitor therapeutic progress and modify treatment according to each patient's condition.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Test for emotional patterns

  Discern patterns in the emotions of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of these emotions.

• Respond to healthcare users' extreme emotions

  React accordingly when a healthcare user becomes hyper-manic, panicky, extremely distressed, agressive, violent, or suicidal, following appropriate training if working in contexts where patients go through extreme emotions regularly.

• Use clinical assessment techniques

  Use clinical reasoning techniques and clinical judgement when applying a range of appropriate assessment techniques, such as mental status assessment, diagnosis, dynamic formulation, and potential treatment planning.

• Work with patterns of psychological behaviour

  Work with the patterns of a patient or client's psychological behaviour, which may be outside of their conscious awareness, such as non-verbal and pre-verbal patterns, clinical processes of defence mechanisms, resistances, transference and counter-transference.

• Identify mental health issues

  Recognise and critically evaluate any possible mental health/illness issues.

• Comply with legislation related to health care

  Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.

• Counsel clients

  Assist and guide clients to overcome their personal, social, or psychological issues.

• Ensure safety of healthcare users

  Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.

• Refer healthcare users

  Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.

• Interpret psychological tests

  Interpret psychological tests in order to obtain information on your patient`s intelligence, achievements, interests, and personality.

• Work in a multicultural environment in health care

  Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.

• Follow clinical guidelines

  Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.

• Interact with healthcare users

  Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.

• Prescribe medication

  Prescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope of practice.

• Conduct psychological assessement

  Assess patient`s behaviour and needs via observation and tailored interviews, administering and interpreting psychometric and idiosyncratic assessments.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB