Question

What does it take to become a Health Psychologist? What are the educational requirements for employment and practice in Health Psychology?

Answer 1

Health psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on mental, emotional, and social factors which affect a person's physical well-being. The main focus of this feild is on a patient's mental and emotional reaction to an illness or recovery from an illness. A health psychologist studies the psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness, and healthcare.

Educational qualifications required to become an Health Psychologist:

• To become a health psychologist, indiviuals are required to have earned at least a Master's degree in the subject. It is a necessity.
• In order to practice clinically and call yourself a clinical psychologist, you need a doctoral degree. There are two ways to enter the field of health/medical psychology. They are as follows:
  • The first is to get either a PhD in Psychology or a PsyD degree.
  • Second is to go to medical school to become a medical doctor. Many medical schools offer medical psychology integrated into a medical degree program.