Psychology is a diverse and multi-faceted field that delves into the human mind, behaviors, and emotions and examines the reasons and thought processes behind them. The demand for psychologists continues to increase with the rise in mental health concerns. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the overall need for psychologists to increase by 6% until 2031, which is as fast as the average projected growth of all occupations in the US. 

Psychology majors can pursue various disciplines within the field, including clinical, counseling, behavioral, and school psychology. Also, with the availability of 100% online programs, gaining a degree in psychology to expand your career horizon has become easier than ever. 

Now, let us examine some promising careers you can pursue in psychology. 

1. Family Counselor

Family counselors, also known as family therapists or marriage and family therapists, specialize in providing counseling and therapy services to individuals, couples, and families. They are trained in various therapeutic approaches and techniques to address and resolve relationship issues.

Family counselors work with families experiencing various challenges, including communication difficulties, conflicts, parenting issues, marital problems, divorce or separation, blended family dynamics, substance abuse, mental health issues, grief, and trauma. 

However, it requires you to have a degree in psychology and relevant field experience. If you are looking to enroll in an online degree program, Northwest Missouri State University is one of the best institutes to pursue your psychology degree, as it ranked number 13 in the best online bachelor’s degree in psychology with highly qualified faculty. It offers a 100% online psychology degree accredited by the Higher Learning Commission with 120 credit hours at the rate of $320 per credit hour with the ability to transfer 90 program credit hours. You can also choose electives and minors per your requirements and academic goals.

Family counselors may work in private practice, mental health clinics, community organizations, schools, or hospitals. They adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain confidentiality to create a safe and trusting therapeutic environment for their clients.

2. Career Counselor

The role of a career counselor falls under the category of behavioral psychology. They specialize in assisting individuals with career choices, planning, and decision-making. They help individuals explore their interests and skills and analyze their best career prospects and directions.

Career counselors can work in various settings, from schools and colleges to organizations. School counselors help students pick the right degree and college, while college counselors work with students to assess possible career choices. 

Counselors working in organizations typically work with the human resource department to help employees cope with work stress and balance work and personal life. They also assist employees in navigating their future roles, smooth tensions among employees, and make them feel more comfortable in the organization.

Career counselors also help individuals develop market-ready skills like resume writing, interviewing, and networking strategies. They also provide additional professional development support to align candidates’ skills with suitable job opportunities. 

A degree in psychology and further certifications and experience will help you pursue a career in career counseling across various settings.

3. Child Psychologist

Child psychologists specialize in navigating and understanding adolescent and teenage behavior and help them navigate the different stages of their lives. 

Child psychologists can work in schools, children’s hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and social services. Their job is to promote their young clients’ healthy development and well-being. 

Child psychologists may conduct psychological assessments and tests to analyze kids’ cognitive and emotional behavior before diagnosing and planning treatment. They utilize observations, standard tests, and interviews to evaluate the child’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas of concern. 

As per Pay Scale, child psychologists earn an average annual base salary of $65,225, which can vary based on experience, location, and qualification. You can expect to earn a yearly bonus from $2,000 to $10,000 and earn up to $100,000 annually. Therefore making it a promising field. Moreover, if you love working with kids, you will be successful as a child psychologist. 

4. Mental Health Counselor

With the rise in mental health concerns, this is a substantially growing career path for individuals with a psychology degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselor demand to rise by 22% until 20231, much faster than the average of all other occupations in the US. You can expect an annual median pay of $48,520 with an hourly rate of $23.33 with a bachelor’s degree. Moreover, you can expect 77,500 open positions in mental health every year until 2031.

Mental health counselors help patients navigate various mental health issues like addiction, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. They work in veterans’ offices, mental health facilities, private clinics, organizations, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals. They offer therapeutic support and guidance to individuals suffering from severe mental health crises and provide a safe zone to share thoughts and feelings.

5. Sports Psychologist

Sports psychologists specialize in optimizing athletes’ performance and enhancing their mental well-being. They work closely with athletes, coaches, and teams to address psychological factors that impact performance, such as motivation, confidence, focus, and stress management. By helping athletes achieve peak performance and maintain positive mental states, sports psychologists contribute to the well-being and support of athletes’ families.

To pursue a career as a sports psychologist, individuals typically need a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or sports psychology. Gaining experience through internships, research, or supervised practice in sports settings is valuable. State licensure as a psychologist and certification from organizations like the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) may be required or preferred.

Conclusion

The field of psychology presents a myriad of promising career options, each offering unique opportunities to positively impact individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Whether it’s helping individuals overcome challenges, improving workplace dynamics, or enhancing athletic performance, these careers in psychology offer fulfilling paths for those passionate about understanding human behavior and making a difference.

As the demand for mental health services and psychological expertise continues to grow, aspiring psychologists can embark on exciting journeys, shaping minds and changing lives.