How to Become a Psychologist in Canada

Jun 16, 2010
Susan Hillman

: Having a PhD Helps Having a Successful Career - (2010, Wikimeida)

Psychology is increasing in its popularity both in the United States and Canada; however, there are different requirements for Canada and America.

In Canada there are many different fields of psychology, such as the following: Experimental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Counseling Psychology. However, there are certain requirements for a person to become a psychologist in Canada. The minimum prerequisites for a person to become a psychologist in Canada are a Master's Degree in Psychology or Educational Psychology; however, with some positions a person must have a Doctoral Degree. Additionally, to become a psychologist in Canada, a person must get licensed by the Provincial Regulatory Body. Furthermore, in some provinces a person must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, which is a written test.

Experimental Psychologists in Canada

Experimental psychologists generally work in private research centers or in universities and work for businesses or for the government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010), experimental psychologists not only work with humans but with animals such as rats, monkeys, and pigeons. Experimental psychologist do research on humans and animals to study such things as learning and memory functions, how genetics affects human and animal behavior, and how addiction can affect human and animal behavior. Experimental psychology is the back bone of psychology. However, to become an experimental psychologist, a person must have a graduate degree.

Besides having the graduate degree, a person must train with a licensed psychologist, which is known as internship. A person has to work as an intern for two years for a master's degree or three to five years for a doctoral degree. A person needs to complete the internship to become a licensed psychologist; the licensing qualifications differ from province to province. Additionally, if a person decides to become an experimental psychologist the pay will differ for different types of jobs.

Clinical Psychologists in Canada

Clinical psychologists are the psychologists that interview people and give assessments, treatment, and deterrent of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists can treat mental disorders, such as schizophrenia; however, they can also just help a person get over the loss of a loved one. However, to become a clinical psychologist he or she has to complete several steps.

For a person to become a clinical psychologist in Canada, he or she must get a bachelor's degree in psychology and then apply for a graduate school. Furthermore, the graduate school has to be accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association. A person has to earn his or her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and complete his or her internship to become a licensed psychologist. After these steps are completed, a person has to pass his or her Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology to be able to apply to provincial board in his or her province to become licensed. Once a person becomes licensed, he or she can go into private practice, work at mental health clinics, or hospitals.

Counseling Psychologists in Canada

A counseling psychologist is similar to a clinical psychologist; however, a counseling psychologist helps people with less severe symptoms. A person might go to a counseling psychologist for help with personal or intrapersonal issues, such as making a career goal or help with functioning in crowds.

To become a psychologist in Canada a person first has to complete a bachelor's degree in psychology and then obtain a Master's or Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Then the person also has to fill the internship requirements and take the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology to be able to apply to provincial board in his or her province to become licensed. Once becoming licensed, a counseling psychologist can open his or her own practice, work in a mental health clinic, or in a hospital. Psychology can be a very interesting career field no matter if a person is in the United States or Canada.

A psychology career in Canada can be a very rewarding career if a person likes to help other people or know why people sometimes develop mental illness or disorders; however, the hardest part is deciding the specific field a person would like to major in. Therefore, if a person is considering a career in psychology, try to research all the different available and growing fields in psychology in Canada.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists. 2010. Retrieved on June 16, 2010