Would you become a health psychologist?
What Do Health Psychologists Do?
Health psychologists engage in many different tasks related to health and wellness.
Hero Images / Getty Images
Some of the functions they might perform include:
Many health psychologists also research a variety of health-related issues.
Where Do Health Psychologists Work?
Other health psychologists work in government tweaks, often administering community health programs or influencing public policy.
How Much Do Health Psychologists Earn?
The median annual salary for all psychologists in any field was $85,330 in 2022.
Those employed by health systems or universities often make more.
Some programs offer degrees specifically in health psychology.
The emphasis in these programs can vary.
Some focus on preparing students for clinical careers, while others emphasize the role of research.
The American Board of Professional Psychology also offers board certification in health psychology.
Others conduct research on health-related issues or influence public policy on healthcare issues.
In clinical and medical controls, health psychologists often conduct behavioral assessments, clinical interviews, andpersonality tests.
Other tasks often involve participating in interventions with individuals or groups.
These professionals may conduct assessments of communities orwork with groupsto encourage healthy behaviors or promote behavior change.
This can include researching a community’s health issues and developing health initiatives and programs.
Such programs may encourage community members to access available services or provide programs to address health concerns.
Some health psychologists work in government or private agency tweaks to influence public policy on health issues.
This is an emerging subfield within health psychology that incorporatesindustrial-organizational psychologyand related disciplines.
Occupational health psychologists focus on understanding how workplace issues are linked to both physical andmental illness.
The U. S. Department of Labor also suggests that jobs in psychology will continue to grow.
Employment for psychologists is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032.
Should You See a Health Psychologist?
So what are some of the reasons you might decide to see a health psychologist?
These professionals can help people cope with the stress and emotional turmoil of coping with a medical condition.
They can also help people learn to manage health issues, overcome unhealthy behaviors, and accomplish health-related goals.
Takeaway
Health psychologists are a focus on helping people live healthier, happier lives.
American Psychological Association.Health psychology promotes wellness.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists: Pay.Occupational Outlook Handbook.
American Psychological Association.Pursuing a career in health psychology.
American Board of Professional Psychology.Clinical health psychology.
Society for Health Psychology.History.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists : Job outlook.Occupational Outlook Handbook.
