Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It explores how individuals think, feel, and act both individually and within groups.
Psychologists help treat people's cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behaviours. Psychologists apply the scientific study of the mind and behaviour to solving real life problems.
As well as other psychological professionals, you may work with nurses, psychiatrists and other highly trained professionals.
Training
To become a recognised Practitioner Psychologist / Chartered Psychologist you will need to complete a degree in psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) to receive Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Alternatively, you can complete a degree conversion course if you already have another relevant degree.
GBC is a necessary requirement to progress to the accredited postgraduate qualification training in the area of psychology that interests you and to practise as a professional psychologist.
Specialisms
- Forensic psychology
- Health psychology
- Occupational psychology
- Sport and exercise psychology
- Educational psychology
- Counselling psychology
- Clinical psychology
Regulation
To use one of the nine different protected titles for practitioner psychologists, you must be on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register, overseen by the Professional Standards Authority.
Under current UK legislation, the HCPC is not authorised to protect the basic title 'psychologist'.
Professional bodies
- British Psychological Society (BPS) (Chartered psychologists)
- Addiction Professionals
- Association for Business Psychology (ABP)
- Association of Clinical Psychologists UK (ACP-UK)
- Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP)
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
- British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
- College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
- Psychological Professions Network
- UK Association of Humanistic Psychology Practitioners (UKAHPP)