The question of how to become a psychologist is asked not only by school graduates who have decided on their future profession and are now preparing to enter a higher education institution. Sometimes the question of changing a profession becomes relevant even in adulthood. If you, even without special education, are able to help others in solving their mental problems, you should think about becoming a psychologist. In this case, as a rule, experience comes into play - experience of communicating with people, life experience, innate worldly wisdom.
Characteristics of the profession: functions and tasks
Specialization is very difficult; it involves constant contact with different people. Some come to the appointment themselves, while others are forced. Difficulties in some situations cannot be avoided.
The services of such a doctor are in demand everywhere. Specialists in this profile work in law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and large companies. Where, against a background of constant stress, employees or students may need psychological support.
The activity involves working with clients, conducting consultations, trainings, assessing personal qualities and mental state, and providing assistance in difficult life situations. Direct responsibilities are usually determined by the workplace and area of specialization. For example, in a large company, a psychotherapist advises management on interaction with subordinates; in kindergartens and schools he monitors the mental health of children.
What does it take to become a psychologist?
First of all, you need to understand that choosing a profession is a big responsibility. In the course of his activities, a specialist, like any other doctor, should not cause harm to the patient. His distinctive feature is his love for people - a true desire to help them understand their problems and choose the right path in life.
Iron patience is the most important tool for successful psychotherapy. Only a truly passionate person can become patient. There are a lot of areas of such activity, so it is impossible to be a professional in all of them at once. A good start would be a self-education course, in which you should study available information on the Internet and popular science books.
What makes a good specialist
How to become a strong personality and develop character
Before starting work, a person must understand what a psychologist needs to know to work. This applies not only to knowledge of subjects, but also to what can be done and what cannot be done. Ethics must be at the forefront of everything.
Important! In Russia and the CIS countries, the ethical code of psychologists has not been adopted, but it is advisable to adhere to it.
A specialist cannot devalue, give advice, insult, humiliate, or harm the client. Before starting therapy, the psychologist must determine whether the problem is psychological. If it is of a psychiatric nature, then the client should be sent to a doctor.
A person receives the necessary level of knowledge during training, but it is constantly worth improving. During supervision, i.e. mentoring, a young specialist analyzes each case of his work with an experienced person. This is necessary in order to identify errors in therapy.
A competent psychologist regularly visits a personal specialist
You can become a good specialist through years of hard practice. This is a long process, do not rush it, otherwise you can harm your clients. Psychological work requires a high level of responsibility.
What qualities are required?
Tactfulness, the ability to empathize, and listen, of course, will be very useful to a future specialist. But intelligence and professionalism are the main characteristics necessary for effective work. In addition, in order to study a huge amount of general and specialized literature and absorb the information received, you need to have excellent memory, perseverance, logical thinking and willpower.
This work often leads to emotional stress. Therefore, a person who has connected his life with this profession must be able to abstract himself and isolate himself from the problems of patients. Otherwise, depression is inevitable due to mood swings, poor sleep and lack of rest. A psychotherapist must have good psychological and physical health.
Empathy is a feeling that is needed to work as a psychologist. The ability to understand your interlocutor and truly empathize with him is invaluable. A good specialist is distinguished by tolerance, he is always restrained, and has complete control over his emotions.
To learn how to help people with psychological problems, you should read more, constantly observe those around you and work hard. This doctor, like no one else, must understand that the missing skills must be developed.
What kinds of psychologists are there?
There are several varieties of this profession. Specialists in this field deal with a variety of problems and use appropriate techniques suitable for achieving certain goals.
Children's
His job is to help adults understand what is happening to their children. How can they overcome the difficulties that arise in communicating with him, how to establish contact and have a beneficial influence.
The pediatric doctor involves not only the child, but also his parents in the therapeutic process. All his activities in this case are aimed at identifying problems and the causes of their occurrence. He perfectly understands the psychological characteristics of children’s development, knows everything about the age-related crises that absolutely every little person goes through. After all, the psyche of children is completely different, so a special approach to such patients is needed.
School
As a rule, he works in educational institutions, where he observes the development, adaptation and behavior of his students. Qualified psychological assistance is very important during this period. Parents themselves are not able to cope with the numerous difficulties that inevitably arise at a young age.
The leading goal of an educational psychologist is to ensure the mental health of students. It helps them develop in the right direction, taking into account individual character traits. Corrects the realization of creative potential, stimulates interest in various social spheres. His responsibilities include ensuring a favorable climate for the development of children.
Military
This specialist devotes most of his time not to research work, but to practice. He is in constant contact with military personnel and their loved ones, so he is well versed not only in his profession, but also has the necessary knowledge about the life of officers and soldiers. It carries out its activities through constant monitoring, conducting questionnaires, testing, surveys and analyzing the information received.
Psychologist Daria Milai
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This is a very responsible specialization. The distinctive features of such a doctor are restraint and the ability to retain information. Every day he has to solve many questions and tasks, because the duties of a military psychotherapist include:
- psychological selection of those wishing to enter the service;
- development of methods that help strengthen discipline and patriotism;
- adaptation and rehabilitation of soldiers returning from the combat zone;
- training those who are about to go to hot spots;
- resistance to negative influence from outside that personnel may be exposed to;
- conducting consultations for military personnel and their relatives.
Clinical
This profile requires additional medical education. It is necessary for working with psychosomatics and providing assistance to physically ill patients. This doctor is knowledgeable in the field of pathopsychology and is able to diagnose mechanical disorders. His responsibilities include:
- carrying out work aimed at restoring health;
- elimination of deviations and difficulties in personality development;
- training physicians in aspects of social psychology and deontology;
- assessing the clients' condition and the effectiveness of the treatment interventions involved;
- conducting psychodiagnostic studies and monitoring patients who are susceptible to various types of disorders.
MOSCOW CENTER OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
Website: https://education.centre21.ru Phone: (495) 797-7705 Cost: on request
You have the opportunity to undergo psychological training remotely and receive additional psychological education.
The distance learning form of psychology involves self-studying the course using the educational materials sent to you (included in the training course). The number of consultations on the training course is not limited. All consultations are free. Receiving educational assignments and passing the Diploma Certification takes place completely remotely on a pre-agreed day and time.
To complete the training and successfully pass the Diploma Certification, your personal presence at our Training Center is not necessary. Diploma Certification can take place on a day and time previously agreed upon with you, completely REMOTELY.
The diploma is a document of professional training and certifies your right to conduct professional activities in the field of PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGY.
Main responsibilities
There are advantages and disadvantages to this work. The main disadvantages are the constant tension and stress that inevitably arise when communicating with patients. You should not forget about them if you want to become a practicing psychologist. The specialist's activities include:
- various tests carried out to determine the personal characteristics of clients;
- psychological trainings;
- consultations in difficult life situations;
- analysis of the influence of social, professional and other factors on behavior and thinking;
- studying the reasons resulting from the unsatisfactory condition of patients;
- therapeutic conversations, individual counseling;
- assistance in adaptation (at a new place of residence, in a different team).
How to become a family psychologist-consultant
This is not an easy task. After all, you have to work not with one person, but with entire families, the relationships in which are developing inappropriately. To competently help them get out of difficult situations and cope with numerous problems, a liberal arts education will not be enough. You'll have to constantly practice. It is better to start gaining experience while still a student. Various programs for volunteers that are aimed at helping people in difficult situations can contribute to their development. It wouldn’t hurt to take advanced training courses in the field of family psychology.
Institute of Modern Psychological Technologies
Website: https://www.paracels.ru Phone: +7; +7 (495) 640-99-66; Cost: 116,000 rub.
The Institute of Modern Psychological Technologies (ISPT) offers distance learning in psychology through advanced training and professional retraining programs. This type of training is becoming increasingly popular. Regardless of where in the world you are at the moment, you have the opportunity to receive quality education from leading experts in the field of practical psychology. For remote learning, you only need a stable Internet connection, a few hours of free time a week, and a desire to gain new knowledge.
Here you can get a coherent system of knowledge that combines a block of academic disciplines with modern psychological and psychotherapeutic techniques. The programs are designed in such a way that you can immediately apply new knowledge in practice.
You can complete distance learning programs for advanced training and professional retraining with any higher education. Diplomas and state certificates are issued.
How to become a consultant
First of all, you need to take care of getting basic education in this area. Then you need to undergo additional training at an institution that trains counseling specialists. Remember, obtaining this specialization requires regular practice. You should start training first of all on yourself, identifying and considering your own problems.
Face-to-face consultation
What are the features and advantages of face-to-face consultation?
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Skype consultation
What are the features and benefits of Skype consultations?
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Only after all the techniques have been worked out and brought to perfection can you find a job. Over time, the level of professionalism will increase, which will make it possible to think about private practice.
Humanitarian Academy for Retraining of Social Sector Workers
Website: https://mgaps.ru Phone: 7 Cost: from 10,900 rubles.
The new law “On Education in the Russian Federation” allows educational activities for professional retraining to be carried out entirely in a distance format, therefore in the learning process we use the latest electronic educational platforms that allow:
- receive a quality education “without interruption from work and family”;
- study at a convenient time, in a convenient place;
- you can immediately apply the acquired knowledge in practice in your work;
- During the learning process, you can receive advice from teachers and discuss all issues on the forum with fellow students.
Upon completion of the training course and successful defense of the final certification work, the student receives the right to conduct a new type of professional activity and is issued a diploma of the established form.
The property of a diploma of professional retraining is such that the additional specialty becomes equal in rights with the specialty in basic education (defined by law) and gives the right to engage in the corresponding type of activity.
How to become a psychotherapist without medical help. education
The professional development of a psychologist can occur according to two branches of training: medical and humanitarian. It is enough for a general specialist to be a humanist. He will be able to work in a school, kindergarten, private company or research institute, that is, consult, provide psychological support, but not correct mental disorders. Only an educated physician can be an employee of healthcare institutions.
Research Institute of Further Education
Website: https://niidpo.ru Phone: Cost: from 10,700 rubles.
If you love people and want to be involved in improving their lives, this is the profession for you. Having qualified as a psychologist-consultant, you will be able to provide psychological assistance and apply various counseling techniques.
You will receive specialized training and will be able to work as a psychological consultant in various fields. Learn the methodology for conducting individual counseling, understand how to organize work via the Internet, and be able to conduct family therapy, group professional training and business consultations.
On the basis of the research institute, you can obtain 28 psychological specializations, with or without a basic psychological education. State diplomas are issued.
I want to be a psychologist: where to start self-study
To master psychology, you need to learn to feel people. This skill is honed over years and strengthened through practice. It is based on three main parts of conversation:
- Personal space that every patient visiting a doctor has. Of course, no one likes it when someone else tries to get into it, especially by actively imposing their point of view. A competent specialist is obliged to establish a trusting relationship with the client and only then penetrate his territory.
- Non-verbal. Not everyone is able to easily open up and immediately tell everything about themselves that is needed for further therapy. Some may deliberately provide false information out of fear of their true nature. In such situations, the psychologist resorts to facial expressions and gestures, which can tell a lot about a person. Noticing nonverbal manifestations, he changes his own behavior to make the conversation comfortable for the patient.
- Listening skills. This is the most important skill needed to provide psychological support. Sometimes people come to an appointment just to talk, to express their emotions, to talk about what is painful.
What exams should you take?
If you have already decided on a profession and are now thinking about what it takes to study to become a psychologist, it’s time for you to plan your admission.
After 11th grade
A compulsory subject is Russian. Firstly, it is the state language, knowledge of it is the responsibility of all citizens. Secondly, a specialist in this profile needs to constantly communicate with people. Without the appropriate skills, this will not be easy.
The second exam is biology. It is directly related to the life of the human body. Without sufficient information about its structure, you should not even dream of a successful career.
The third is mathematics. There is no need to confuse psychology with esotericism or astrology and consider it something like entertainment. This is a difficult industry to understand, where you need to be able to calculate and think logically. In addition to the above subjects, social studies may also be required.
After 9th grade
Many colleges and schools accept students based on the average score of the certificate, which they receive by passing the OGE. The required subjects are Russian, mathematics and two to choose from. To enroll in the Faculty of Psychology, you must choose chemistry, biology or natural science.
Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis
Website: https://unic.edu.ru Phone: ; Cost: 35,000-47,500 rub./semester
The department at MIP recruits students for the distance learning department of the Faculty of Psychology of the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis.
Higher education via distance learning at MIP is an excellent opportunity to become a competent specialist in the field of psychological counseling, studying at a schedule convenient for you.
There are two semesters of study per year. During the semester you study from 10 to 14 disciplines with an average load of 9 academic hours per week. You have the opportunity to attend 6 electives per year and participate in tutor support for students. Upon completion of training, a bachelor's diploma/master's diploma is issued on the basis of a license and state accreditation of the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis.
University choice
If an applicant wants to engage in scientific activities in the future, it is necessary to find out whether there is an Academic Council at the university.
To gain basic skills, just inquire about the rating and the level of the educational and methodological basis. The main thing is to have accreditation, which will facilitate employment later.
Anyone who wants to fully understand the intricacies of the profession and gain theoretical and practical skills is better off enrolling as a full-time student. This way, you will be able to increase your knowledge every day with the help of competent and competent teachers.
Correspondence and distance learning
Distance learning methods are quite popular. But you need to understand that they are more relevant in terms of self-development. By giving them preference, you should not count on receiving a full education.
Already working applicants will benefit from the opportunity to obtain a specialty without interrupting their work activities. It will be necessary to interrupt it only for the duration of the sessions.
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"Mastery of Psychological Counseling"
Website: https://masterpsy.psychodemia.online Phone: +7 (903) 5338735 Cost: 50,000-150,000 rub.
The Master of Psychological Counseling program is conducted jointly with the Psychological Institute of the Russian Academy of Education. After completing the program, graduates who successfully pass the certification will receive a diploma of professional training (500 hours) and will be able to continue their education to obtain a specialty - another 1 year at an advanced level (500 hours with qualification).
The course is suitable for people without higher education in psychology who want to try themselves in the profession of psychologist, but have not yet chosen a specialization and direction of work. And also for psychologists - students and graduates of universities who want to start their careers as psychological consultants, for graduates of practical programs who lack practical skills for confident and effective work in psychological counseling.
Pros and cons of the profession
Often the decision to enroll in the Faculty of Psychology is made thoughtlessly. Not everyone understands the true essence of the things that they will face. Students often swallow information from textbooks without taking them seriously, but in vain. Before you finally decide, you should consider all the pros and cons of future activities.
Advantages:
- interesting work from the point of view of science and practice;
- the opportunity to help people;
- likelihood of becoming successful;
- high income;
- a way to understand yourself.
Flaws:
- low respectability;
- low salaries for entry-level specialists;
- tension, stress;
- lack of budget places in universities.
I want to become a psychologist: where to start my career
First of all, find a job in kindergartens, schools, social and psychological institutions, as this is a suitable start for young people. In the process of activity, diagnostics, correction, and prevention are carried out (you can develop your own methodology over time).
A person with the appropriate education will find a place in a hospital, clinic, dispensary or medical center. His responsibilities will depend on this.
Large trading companies are in demand for specialists who are able to develop corporate culture, control the team building process, assess the personal qualities of staff, and prevent conflict situations.
In addition, there is always a use for a psychotherapist in law enforcement agencies and military units.
Career
Depends on the ability of the psychologist himself to constantly improve and grow in the professional field, to expand the skills and techniques used. Its demand also plays a significant role. In the company, with due diligence, he will be able to rise from the ranks of an ordinary employee to the deputy head of the personnel department. If everything goes well, over time it will be possible to open your own office to provide psychological support to the population. All this is possible only with the necessary education and a tireless desire to constantly improve.
