Comparable Careers To A Psychologist: Six Similar Professions To Consider

If you're thinking about becoming a clinical psychologist, you may be interested in a combination of mental health, research, and empowerment for clients of all ages and backgrounds. The path to becoming a clinical psychologist is often rewarding but also presents unique challenges and educational requirements. As an alternative or backup plan to this career path, some prospective psychologists create a list of comparable careers emphasizing psychology and mental health.

Like clinical psychology, other mental health careers present opportunities to conduct research, work directly with patients, collaborate with other mental health professionals, or perform unique duties in the mental health sphere, depending on your interests and educational background. 

What is a psychologist? 

A psychologist is a highly trained professional who specializes in the research, evaluation, and treatment of mental health conditions and holds an advanced degree in the science of human behavior. According to the American Psychological Association, psychologists cannot prescribe psychiatric medications except in a few states. This job duty generally belongs to psychiatrists and other medical doctors; psychologists are not doctors. 

The vast field of general psychology includes the study of fundamental principles and problems in human behavior, growth and development, personality theory, emotions, motivation, and other facets of the human mind. 

 "Counseling psychologist" and "clinical psychologist" are two different titles, although some professionals argue that the distinction is unnecessary given the similarity.  Compared to counseling psychologists, who generally support clients with emotional, social, or physical stressors, a clinical psychologist tends to focus on studying more severe mental health conditions. Clinical psychology is "clinical" because practitioners are licensed to work directly with clients in a clinical setting.   

Becoming a psychologist: Educational and training requirements

After completing their undergraduate and potentially their master's degrees, psychologists must complete a doctorate-level program. 

The two most common doctoral degrees among psychologists are the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) and the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.). However, some students pursue a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D) if they plan to work in schools or other educational environments. 

Depending on their specific program and interest areas, prospective psychologists can study various topics, including developmental psychology, personality theory, psychology testing, and other concepts and practices in clinical psychology. 

Most students must pass a comprehensive exam or write a dissertation based on their research to graduate from a doctoral psychology program. These academic assessments are supplemented by hours of training, typically through an internship in the field. Finally, to become officially licensed to practice in the field, clinical psychologists must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.

Six similar careers to a clinical psychologist

Suppose you're reviewing the requirements to become a psychologist and are unsure whether you're ready to commit to the path. In that case, there are several other careers with a similar emphasis on psychology and mental healthcare. Whether you're a young student or a seasoned professional looking for a career change, the following six professions are alternatives to becoming a psychologist. 

Psychology professor

Academia is a common path for graduates of doctoral psychology programs. Instead of working directly with patients in clinical settings, some people enter academia and use their expertise to teach other up-and-coming psychologists in colleges and universities. 

As a psychology professor, you may have an opportunity to perform research with your educational institution's financial and community support. This option may attract psychologists who prefer teaching and research over clinical practice. 

Psychotherapist or counselor

Unlike psychologists, psychotherapists only need a master's degree to practice. However, given their extra education and training, psychologists have the tools and experience to get paid more and work in extra settings.  

Some psychologists transition to psychotherapy after years of clinical practice. Other students entirely forgo a doctoral degree in psychology in favor of a master's degree in psychotherapy or counseling, which takes less time and training to complete. 

Although psychotherapy and counseling are similar, interconnected concepts, psychotherapy is often more long-term. It tends to be facilitated by clinical psychologists, whereas counseling tends to be shorter and provided by counselors with master's-level degrees. 

Depending on your interests, skills, and the patients you'd like to work with, you may gravitate toward the short-term nature of counseling or more intensive forms of psychotherapy, which may help people process past traumas and other formative experiences. However, note that counselors can treat mental illness, as well. 

School psychologist

School psychology can be a rich and exciting career path if you're passionate about education and youth mental health. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, most US states require school psychologists to complete a 60-credit, specialist-level program in school psychology and a 1,200-hour internship. 

Specialist-level degrees like Specialist in Psychology (PsyS) and Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) degrees may function for those interested in the school-based practice of school psychology. In contrast, people interested in academic teaching or research may be encouraged to pursue doctoral degrees. 

Depending on which degree they complete, school psychologists can perform a variety of tasks, including but not limited to the following: 

• Facilitating school-wide mental health activities
• Consulting with teachers, parents, and other supportive adults about children's educational, social, or behavioral concerns
• Supporting crisis prevention and intervention services
• Working one-on-one with students to improve their emotional control skills and academic performance

Research psychologist

While some psychologists may research while teaching at a university or another educational institution, others may choose to apply their doctoral credentials to full-time research positions. 

The exact nature of research psychology can vary widely depending on the researcher's interests, educational background, and position. As a research psychologist, you can work in many settings beyond higher education, including government departments, and non-profit organizations.

Although some research roles may only require a master's degree, most research psychologists need doctoral degrees to expand their job options and perform higher-level research, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Social worker

As an alternative path to psychology, some people enter the field of social work inspired by their own experiences or a desire to build and improve their communities. 

Social workers may work in non-profits, clinics, or other organizations that provide mental health or social services. Social workers sometimes collaborate with psychologists to support their clients' needs and goals. This collaboration may be more likely among clinical social workers, who are licensed to develop treatment plans with their clients. 

Social work may be an attractive career option for professionals interested in mental health, social justice, and community-building. Compared to psychologists, many social workers only need a bachelor's degree to practice in the field. However, clinical social workers need a master's degree, supervised clinical experience, and licensure in their state of practice. 

In addition to fewer educational requirements, social work offers the benefit of career flexibility. The field is broad and dynamic, with roles in various settings, including child welfare, human services, healthcare, and schools. 

Career counselor

As you consider comparable careers to a psychologist, you may be drawn toward the process of career discernment. As career counselors, some people build their professions around this process and help clients find jobs that align with their experiences, skills, and values.

Career counselors often work in educational settings and assist students and professionals with finding appropriate career options. Although many help young people as they enter the workforce, career counselors can work with clients in all stages of life, whether they're struggling to find work, recovering from job loss, or contemplating a midlife career change. 

Compared to school counselors or psychologists, career counselors more generally assist people with making career decisions, which may or may not occur in a school setting. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that most career counselors need a master's degree to practice, and some may need to become licensed, depending on their state of residence.

Explore possible career paths in therapy

If you're curious about becoming a psychologist or looking at similar professions, a career counselor or psychotherapist can assist with your discernment process. Some people prefer to discuss their career options with an in-person therapist, but many prefer the flexibility of online therapy platforms like BetterHelp.

Online platforms allow clients to work with a provider from home or anywhere with an internet connection. In addition, you can set your goals for therapy when signing up to ensure you're matched with a professional who can support you in your goals. For example, you might note that you'd like to try career therapy. You do not need to be diagnosed with a mental illness to sign up. 

Several studies suggest that online therapy can be an effective alternative to face-to-face options, including a 2021 study of online group career counseling for young adults during COVID-19. Noting the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy and workforce, these researchers assessed the value of an online group counseling program for a group of young adults seeking career support. All participants were satisfied with the program and showed an overall increase in their career adaptability, resilience, and "future orientation," the ability to think about the future and create flexible plans.  

While this study involved only a small sample of participants, the researchers note other studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of online career counseling for young adults, emphasizing the importance of digital career counseling for young people during times of crisis.