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Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Psychologist
Job description
Psychologists study the behavior of people in order to understand, compare and explain the way they think, act and respond. Psychologists may deal with the total human personality or just certain aspects, such as perception of learning. Although, there are many specialties, most Psychologists fall into two groups, Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology.
Clinical Psychologists diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral problems. These problems may be short-term crisis or long-term conditions. Some work with specific problems, such as depression or anxiety. Others specialize in problems experienced by distinct groups like the elderly or minorities.
Counseling Psychologists help people adjust to change or make changes in their lifestyle. They may work with people in career transitions or people trying to stop smoking or overeating. Specialties may include studying the aged populations or at-risk children, or chemical dependency treatment.
Psychologists work in private offices, hospitals, laboratories, classrooms or social agencies. Clinical psychology is the largest specialty. There is no typical work week for Psychologists. Many work Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Some may work evenings or weekends or even on holidays. The average work week is 40 to 60 hours.
Salaries and benefits*
Entry-level earnings for a Psychologist I with a Master's Degree working for the State of Washington averages $2,598 to $3,010 per month. Those with doctorate degrees may earn $70 to $120 per hour in private practice. Statewide, Psychologists average $3,368 to $5,193 per month. In the Pacific Northwest, Psychologists working for healthcare facilities average $5,025 to $6,425 per month. Nationally, Psychologists average $3,744 per month. The national average for recent college graduates with a bachelor's degree in psychology is $2,221 per month, while the national average for those with a master's degree is $2,304, and those with a doctorate's degree is $3,824 per month. Benefits vary from employer to employer. Most receive a full benefits package.
Training and requirements
Psychologists acquire the necessary skills by completing a doctoral degree program in psychology. School Psychologists require a master's degree. In addition, post-doctorate internships may be necessary in some cases.
Necessary skills
●
ability to catch on to things and make judgments
●
understand the meanings of words and present information clearly
●
see details and slight differences in objects and shapes or pictures
●
see errors in printed words
●
knowledge of diagnostic/psychotherapeutic techniques
●
administer and interpret results of standardized tests
●
conduct research experiments
●
perform administrative duties
●
good interpersonal skills and a compassionate nature
●
verbal, writing, methodological and statistical skills are needed to present clinical and research findings
Licensure/Certification
Psychologists who offer services directly to the public must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Health. Requirements include an approved doctoral degree, one year of supervised practice and 1,500 hours of experience; successful completion of a national exam; state oral exam; and sixty hours of continuing education every three years.
Most Psychologists who work for the federal government must have a doctoral degree from a training program accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Helpful high school courses
Include English composition and literature, speech, report writing, philosophy, math, algebra, social studies, sociology, chemistry, biology, psychology, foreign language, family studies, community resource training, and computer applications.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
●
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 963-1211
●
Eastern Washington University
526 5th St.
Cheney, WA 99004
(509) 359-2397
●
Gonzaga University (Bachelors)
502 E. Boone Ave.
Spokane, WA 99258-0001
(509) 328-4220
●
Seattle Pacific University
3307 Third Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119-1997
(206) 281-2000
●
Seattle University
(Bachelors)
900 Broadway & Madison
Seattle, WA 98122-4340
(206) 296-6000
●
St. Martin's College (Master of Arts in
Counseling Psychology)
MAC Program
5300 Pacific Ave S.E.
Lacey, WA 98503-1297
(360) 438-4560
●
University of Puget Sound (Bachelors)
1500 N. Warner
Tacoma, WA 98416
(253) 879-3100
●
University of Washington
Department of Psychology
Box 351525
Seattle WA 98195-1525
(206) 543-2640
●
Washington State University
Psychology Department
PO Box 644820
Johnson Tower 233
Pullman, WA 99164-4820
(509) 335-2631
●
Western Washington University
Department of Psychology, MS-9089
516 High Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225-9089
(360) 650-3515
Outlook*
In Washington, this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment is projected to increase nine percent by 2008.
Professional Associations
●
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
P O Box 4389
Montgomery, AL 36103-4389
(334) 832-4580
(800) 448-4069
http://www.asppb.org
●
American Psychological Association
750 First St. NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5500
(800) 374-2721
http://www.apa.org
●
Washington State Psychological Association
P.O. Box 2016
Edmonds, WA 98020-9516
(425) 712-1852
(800) 275-9772
http://www.wapsych.org
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04