The social science of psychology has developed in many different directions in the past century since Sigmund Freud published his theories and observations, and several types of clinical psychology are currently recognized, including psychodynamic, humanist and behavioral psychology. Each of these approaches utilizes social science theories about the roles of emotions, thoughts, identity formation, family systems, and the environment in human development and behavior to understand and treat people with psychological problems or diagnosed mental illnesses. Using an empirical, cause-and-effect approach, behavioral psychologists focus on helping clients identify and change the thoughts and habits that are driving dysfunctional or harmful behaviors.
These unwanted behaviors can include eating disorders, addictions, phobias, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Behavioral psychology is anchored in the principle that behaviors are learned or reinforced responses to external and internal stimuli. A behavioral psychologist is trained to determine what stimulates particular patterns of behavior in a client and find effective methods to modify or change these patterns.
Necessary Skills and Interests
The job of a behavioral psychologist is challenging. Any psychologist must have certain characteristics in order to be successful, including empathy, good communication skills, and the ability to inspire confidence. Professional psychologists are expected to abide by a code of ethics and guard the confidentiality of their clients. Working with mentally ill patients can be stressful, so having a stable personality is also useful in this profession. The educational and training requirements for this career are also challenging, but if you have the commitment to get the necessary academic background and clinical experience for a professional license, and a desire to help your clients overcome detrimental patterns and live more productive lives, this might be the right career path for you.
Education and Training
The educational requirements to be a behavioral psychologist include graduating from a four-year undergraduate program, ideally with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology or a social science, followed by a doctoral degree from an accredited graduate school. Psychology programs are competitive, so excellent grades will make you a better candidate.
Expect to spend five years in your doctoral studies, with coursework in theories of psychology, behavior, psychopathology, assessment, applied psychology, experimental design, statistics and research. Your doctoral education will also include a practicum involving supervised clinical experience. Students pursuing a PhD must write a dissertation based on original research; getting a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) requires clinical experience and examinations. Academic education is usually followed by a one-year internship in a behavioral psychology program.
Professional License and Certification
All psychologists must be licensed. Although licensure requirements may differ from state to state, all states require a doctorate degree, completion of an internship program, approximately 3,000 hours of practical clinical experience, and a passing mark on the licensure examination. In some states, you will need to pursue continuing education to qualify for license renewal.
Behavioral psychologists can also apply for certification by the American Board of Behavioral Psychology (ABBP); requirements include a PhD or PsyD, state license, three years of clinical experience, passing grade on the exam, and ABBP membership. This certification is voluntary; however, it may enhance your status as a job applicant and will give you the opportunity to network with professionals in your field and stay informed of developments in research and practice.
Job Prospects
Employment opportunities in the field of psychology are expected to be better than average. Behavioral psychology has been shown to be extremely effective in helping clients meet specific goals, so employment prospects involving clinical practice are good. There also should be plenty of opportunity for those interested in conducting research in this field.
Behavioral psychologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, mental health clinics, and schools and colleges. You may see clients of all ages, from children to senior patients. Many have their own private practices. In addition to providing counseling to individual clients, behavioral psychologists work in research and teaching.
Salary
The average annual salary for a behavioral psychologist is $82,859. Those with more experience can expect to earn more, and jobs in some metropolitan areas pay higher salaries, though living expenses tend to be higher, as well.
The field of psychology encompasses many theories and approaches. If you are interested in helping people with psychological problems and you appreciate the observational, empirical approach of behavioral psychology, think about a career in this discipline. Job prospects should continue to grow, and as a behavioral psychologist, you will have a choice of working with clients, conducting research, or teaching. It’s an exciting profession with lots of possibilities.