Psychologists observe patients to glean insights about how they think, feel and behave. David Scheinfeld, a psychologist working in Austin, Texas, got his start in psychology at a young age. “I was in therapy myself as a young child through my teenage years, and I still am,” Scheinfeld says. “At a fundamental level, I found a lot of importance in therapy – the way it helps provide direction to live a valued life.”

After completing a double major in psychology and communication studies in undergrad, Scheinfeld earned a doctorate in psychology. These days, Scheinfeld works with geriatric patients at a rehabilitation facility during the day. In the morning, he attends an interdisciplinary meeting with nurses, physical therapists, physicians and social workers. After this, he makes his rounds; those patients who might be experiencing major life crises will come first. He’ll generally spend anywhere from 25 to 50 minutes with each patient, and he’ll see anywhere from eight to 14 patients a day.

Outside working hours, he’s involved with several innovative psychology programs, including Outward Bound for Veterans, an organization that facilitates outdoor therapeutic adventures for veterans, as well as Project Rebirth, “resilience” programs aimed at caring for the psychological health of the military, veterans and first responders.

“This field is not stagnant; there’s so many new and innovative ways to approach treating the mental health issues,” Scheinfeld says. “You can start in one place and end in another place. I love that flexibility.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.1% employment growth for psychologists between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,900 jobs should open up.

Those hoping to become clinical, counseling or research psychologists will need a doctoral degree, which they can acquire one of two ways. Some psychologists earn a doctorate in psychology, which is a research degree that involves passing an exhaustive exam and writing a dissertation based on their own original research. Others choose to go the clinical route with a doctoral degree in psychology, or Psy.D., which usually involves more practical experience and exams as opposed to research and dissertation writing. A one-year internship is usually a requirement as well.

Most states also require that their psychologists become licensed. And although licensing laws vary by state, most require a completed doctoral degree, a completed internship, one or two years of supervised practice and a passing mark on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Continuing education courses are generally required to keep licensure as well.

Certification is another hurdle, which is not always essential, but nonetheless can portray expertise in a particular area of psychology, from family psychology to rehabilitation psychology. Psychologists can obtain certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology or the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology.

School psychologists and organizational psychologists, however, have differing training requirements.

A major difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that unlike psychiatrists, psychologists do not earn a doctor of medicine from medical school. While both focus on mental health, psychiatrists also prescribe medications and facilitate medication plans. Psychologists generally focus on psychotherapy-based treatment plans and rarely handle medications.