The psychologist deals with human behavior and experience. He examines the development in the course of the patient’s life and usually conducts additional research in the field of psychology and psychotherapy.
What is a psychologist?
Psychologists are important in many fields, including treating people with mental disorders. Psychologists are also involved in research, emergency medicine, marketing, business, education, and law. Thus, psychologists are primarily concerned with human behavior and experience. Psychology should be understood as a science, although it cannot be clearly assigned to any one branch. Rather, a psychologist uses knowledge from natural science, social science, and the humanities. Psychologists are important in many fields, including treating people with mental disorders. Psychologists are also involved in research, emergency medicine, marketing, business, education, and law. Because behavior affects our complete daily lives, psychologists can be found almost everywhere. The professional title of psychologist requires a college degree in psychology. Some fields of practice require additional or continuing education, such as working as a psychological psychotherapist. In addition, some professional associations require regular continuing education.
Treatments
Since psychologists work in many areas and deal with a whole range of problems, only a small overview can be given here. In clinical and medical settings, psychologists treat people with mental health problems and disorders. The complaints can be wide-ranging. Typical conditions that a psychologist treats include anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychoses, personality disorders, delusional disorders, substance-induced addictions, and developmental disorders. Almost any type of problem of a mental nature or behavioral disorder can be treated by a psychologist. However, a psychologist usually needs appropriate additional therapeutic training to provide therapy. Differentiation is also made in working with adults as well as with children and adolescents. In addition to therapeutic intervention, they also act as expert witnesses, experts and consultants. For example, they prepare expert opinions and diagnoses for the penal system or for courts in order to assess risks such as the propensity to violence, suicidal tendencies and the risk of absconding. Another important field is the economy. Here, psychologists work, among other things, in market research and optimize work processes, analyze customer behavior and point out important entrepreneurial strategies. But they also offer advice on problems in the team, as well as training if the company has difficulties in personnel management.
Diagnostic and investigation methods
In psychology, diagnostics is one of the psychologist’s most important tools. Unlike in most medical specialties, a psychologist has no instruments or equipment for examination (in clinical and psychotherapeutic psychology). Only in a few cases are minor tools such as a scale used in the treatment of eating disorders. The personal conversation is always in the foreground of a psychological consultation and treatment. Together with the patient, the treating psychologist takes a medical history. In some cases, cooperation with other treating specialists is necessary. With the help of various questionnaires and tests, a symptomatology can be assessed in more detail and finally a diagnosis can be made or an assessment given, for example in the context of expert reports. A typical psychological test that is often used in psychiatric clinics and plays a major role in research and evaluation is the intelligence test. Among other things, it can provide information about possible therapeutic measures. Thus, the psychologist has at his disposal a whole range of such scientifically developed tests and diagnostic procedures.
What should the patient pay attention to?
The relationship between doctor and patient is always a special one and requires trust and a sense of security. However, in psychological treatment, this relationship plays a much more important role. If it is not characterized by trust, goodwill and appreciation, there is hardly any chance for the patient to initiate a healing process.Therefore, the choice of the appropriate psychologist should be made carefully and thoughtfully in any case. In many cases, so-called trial sessions are possible. If discrepancies arise, this should either be addressed and problems clarified or the psychologist should be changed. In addition, a psychologist should be chosen according to the clinical picture. Most psychologists specialize in certain clinical pictures. The family doctor, the health insurance or even appropriate professional associations can be helpful in the choice.