Professional psychology

Clinical psychology aims to reduce psychological distress and to enhance the promotion of psychological well-being.

Clinical psychologists deal with a wide range of mental and physical health problems including addiction, anxiety, depression, learning difficulties and relationship issues. They may undertake a clinical assessment to investigate a clients’ situation. There are a variety of methods available including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour. Assessment may lead to advice, counselling or therapy

(Source: BPS)

Many students who are interested in clinical psychology undertake relevant mental health related voluntary work while they are at university. After graduating students could apply for roles such as:

• Assistant Psychologist
• Psychological Well-being Practitioner
• Mental Health Support Worker
• Research Assistant

Many graduates also choose to undertake a relevant masters qualification.  On average applicants have two to three years relevant experience when they apply for a clinical psychology doctorate. Find out more in The Alternative Handbook 2020: Postgraduate Training Courses in Clinical Psychology.

Following qualification, clinical psychologists can choose to specialise in specific areas, for example neuropsychology, child psychology and rehabilitation psychology.

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Health Careers

Prospects 

Counselling psychologists deal with a wide range of mental health problems concerning life issues including bereavement, domestic violence, sexual abuse, traumas and relationship issues.

They understand diagnosis and the medical context to mental health problems and work with the individual’s unique subjective psychological experience to empower their recovery and alleviate distress.

Counselling psychology is a relatively new field of professional applied psychology concerned with the integration of psychological theory and research with therapeutic practice. 

(Source: BPS)

The practice of counselling psychology requires a high level of self-awareness and competence in relating the skills and knowledge of personal and interpersonal dynamics to the therapeutic context.

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Educational psychology is concerned with helping children and young people experiencing problems that can hinder their chance of learning.

Educational psychologists work in educational and early years settings. They tackle challenges such as learning difficulties, social and emotional problems, issues around disability as well as more complex developmental disorders. They work in a variety of ways including observations, interviews and assessments and offer consultation, advice and support to teachers, parents, the wider community as well as the young people concerned. They research innovative ways of helping vulnerable young people and often train teachers, learning support assistants and others working with children.

(Source: BPS)

Many students who are interested in educational psychology undertake relevant voluntary work while at university. This could involve working in a school or other childcare setting. There are a variety of opportunities offered at University of Nottingham where you can gain experience within an educational setting.

Find out more - working with young people at Nottingham

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Forensic psychology is concerned with understanding psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour and the treatment of those who have committed offences.

It can also be associated with the psychological aspects of legal processes in courts and applying psychological theory to criminal investigation.

The daily key tasks for forensic psychologists may include; piloting and implementing treatment programmes, modifying offender behaviour, responding to the changing needs of staff and prisoners as well as reducing stress for staff and prisoners.  

Forensic psychologists also provide hard research evidence to support practice, including undertaking statistical analysis for prisoner profiling, giving evidence in court plus advising parole boards and mental health tribunals.

(Source: BPS)

Many students who are interested in forensic psychology undertake relevant voluntary work while at university.  

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The Forensic Psychology Podcast - interviews by the psychology team from HM Prison and Probation Service with colleagues working in prisons

Health Careers

Prospects 

Health psychology is primarily concerned with people’s experiences of health and illness.

Health psychologists use their knowledge of psychology and health to promote general well-being and understand physical illness. They are specially trained to help people deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness as well as supporting people who are chronically ill.

Health psychologists promote healthier lifestyles and try to find ways to encourage people to improve their health. For example, they may help people to lose weight or stop smoking. Health psychologists also use their skills to try to improve the healthcare system. For example, they may advise doctors about better ways to communicate with their patients.

(Source: BPS)

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Occupational psychology is concerned with the performance of people at work and with how individuals, small groups and organisations behave and function. Its aim is to increase the effectiveness of the organisation and improve the job satisfaction of individuals.

Occupational psychologists aim to increase the effectiveness of the organisation and improve the job satisfaction of individuals. The speciality is broader in scope and less formalised than many areas of psychology and it touches on diverse fields, including ergonomics, personnel management and time management. Work can be in advisory, teaching and research roles, and to a lesser extent, in technical and administrative roles.

(Source: BPS) 

Psychology in the Workplace

We invited two UoN alumni professionals to talk to you about their career journeys:

• Pritesh Patel - Integration Operations Team Lead at Aon
• Penny Strutton - Certified Business Psychologist and Coach

Login to SharePoint to watch a recording of this event 

• Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar

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Sport psychology’s predominant aim is to help athletes prepare psychologically for the demands of competition and training. Exercise psychology is primarily concerned with the application of psychology to increase exercise participation and motivational levels in the general public.

Sport psychologists counsel referees to deal with the stressful and demanding aspects of their role, advise coaches on how to build cohesion within their squad of athletes, and help athletes with personal development and the psychological consequences of sustaining an injury.

Exercise psychologists optimise the benefits that can be derived from exercise participation and help individual clients with the implementation of goal setting strategies.

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Prospects