Psychologist Legal, Social & Cultural Professionals
SaveWhat Does a Psychologist Do?
Psychologists study the behaviour and mental processes in humans. They provide services to clients who deal with mental health issues and life issues such as bereavement, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. They also provide counselling for mental health issues such as eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and psychosis in order to help the clients rehabilitate and reach a healthy behaviour.
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Where Do I Start?
Psychological Counselling Methods
The various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Psychologist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialPsychological Counselling Methods knowledge
The various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.
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EssentialBehavioural Disorders knowledge
The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialCounselling Methods knowledge
Counselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.
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EssentialHealth Care Occupation-specific Ethics knowledge
The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialPsychological Diagnostics knowledge
The psychological diagnostics strategies, methods and techniques concerning health-related experiences and behaviours as well as mental disorders
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialClient-centred Counselling knowledge
Practice that encourages clients to concentrate on how they feel at the present moment during the counseling session in order to search for the most appropriate solutions.
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EssentialConsultation knowledge
The theories, methods and concepts related to consultation and communication with clients.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPsychology knowledge
The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPsychological Interventions knowledge
The characteristics of the methods and procedures meant to instigate change in human behaviour.
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EssentialComply With Legislation Related To Health Care skill
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCounsel Clients skill
Assist and guide clients to overcome their personal, social, or psychological issues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Safety Of Healthcare Users skill
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Clinical Guidelines skill
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIdentify Mental Health Issues skill
Recognise and critically evaluate any possible mental health/illness issues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInteract With Healthcare Users skill
Communicate with clients and their carer's, with the patient's permission, to keep them informed about the clients' and patients' progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialListen Actively skill
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrescribe Medication skill
Prescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope of practice.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRefer Healthcare Users skill
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In A Multicultural Environment In Health Care skill
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Psychological Assessement skill
Assess patient`s behaviour and needs via observation and tailored interviews, administering and interpreting psychometric and idiosyncratic assessments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterpret Psychological Tests skill
Interpret psychological tests in order to obtain information on your patient`s intelligence, achievements, interests, and personality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Therapeutic Progress skill
Monitor therapeutic progress and modify treatment according to each patient's condition.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRespond To Healthcare Users' Extreme Emotions skill
React accordingly when a healthcare user becomes hyper-manic, panicky, extremely distressed, agressive, violent, or suicidal, following appropriate training if working in contexts where patients go through extreme emotions regularly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest For Behavioural Patterns skill
Discern patterns in the behaviour of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of their behaviour.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest For Emotional Patterns skill
Discern patterns in the emotions of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of these emotions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Clinical Assessment Techniques skill
Use clinical reasoning techniques and clinical judgement when applying a range of appropriate assessment techniques, such as mental status assessment, diagnosis, dynamic formulation, and potential treatment planning.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork With Patterns Of Psychological Behaviour skill
Work with the patterns of a patient or client's psychological behaviour, which may be outside of their conscious awareness, such as non-verbal and pre-verbal patterns, clinical processes of defence mechanisms, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 19 displayed)
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OptionalCrisis Intervention knowledge
Coping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalFirst Aid knowledge
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalClinical Reports knowledge
The methods, assessment practices, credentials and opinions gathering procedures necessary for writing clinical reports.
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OptionalClinical Psychological Treatment knowledge
Treatment methods and intervention strategies used in clinical psychology, such as the treatment of persons with mental illnesses and disorders in different settings, with different clinical symptoms and problems and …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalPsychiatric Diagnostics knowledge
The diagnostic systems and scales applied in psychiatry to determine the type of mental health disorder in adults, children and elderly.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalPsychiatric Disorders knowledge
The characteristics, causes and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalNeurology knowledge
Neurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPsychiatry knowledge
Psychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalEmpathise With The Healthcare User skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Proper Appointment Administration skill
Set up a proper procedure to manage appointments, including policies related to cancellation and nonappearance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPromote Mental Health skill
Promote factors that enhance emotional well-being such as self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, control of one`s environment, spirituality, self-direction and positive relationships.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Health Education skill
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Caseload Management skill
Manage a number of patients within a given amount of time, striving to provide optimum health services.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Systemic Therapy skill
Conduct therapy, not addressing people on a strictly individual level but as people in relationships, dealing with the interactions of groups and their interactive patterns and dynamics.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAssess Healthcare Users' Risk For Harm skill
Evaluate the healthcare user's potential for harm to him- or herself or others, intervening effectively to minimise risk and implement prevention methods.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDiagnose Mental Disorders skill
Formulate a diagnosis for people with a variety of issues and mental disorders, ranging from short-term personal and emotional problems to severe, chronic mental conditions, recognising and critically evaluating any …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFacilitate The Psychological Development Of The Healthcare User skill
Facilitate the process of self-discovery for the healthcare user, helping them to learn about their condition and become more aware of and in control of moods, feelings, thoughts, behaviour, and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork On The Effects Of Abuse skill
Work with individuals on the effects of abuse and trauma such as sexual, physical, psychological, cultural and neglect.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With Healthcare Users' Social Network skill
Get involved with the friends, families and other relevant actors important for the client or patient being treated, under the conditions of confidentiality and transparency.
Course recommendations coming soon.