According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics (BLS), psychology jobs will grow by 8% from 2020 through to 2030. The increasing focus on mental health today and self-awareness, as well as continued mental health effects from the COVID-19 Pandemic, explains this demand for the services of psychologists and other mental health professionals. Mental health awareness is now a major talking point in global and national forums. If you’re a psychology major in Illinois or graduate looking for a job in this field, this is the best time to identify promising careers in the field.
Read on to discover the best psychology careers and jobs in Illinois.
Clinical Psychologists
Clinical psychologists are in high demand across Illinois, and for good reason. These are specialists in functions of human behavior and personality. As a psychologist, you examine and understand your client’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
From your analysis, you use different theories or approaches to behavior to treat people’s cognitive and behavioral issues. You help clients to understand their behavior, which is an important aspect of treating mental health issues.
As a clinical psychologist, you deal with multiple psychological and psychiatric disorders. Clinical psychologists can work in different settings, including health clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities.
Vocational/Career Counselors
People are always looking for guidance on career choices. This is one of the most important decisions in an individual’s adult life. The wrong choice of career can have consequences that are felt many years down the line. As a psychologist, you can specialize in career counseling, which is a career in high demand.
A career counselor evaluates and analyzes a client’s potential for their dream career. Using standardized tests and other evaluation tools, you help a client define their skill set and qualifications. Through the results from these tests, you can gauge the client’s abilities, intelligence, and aptitude.
With the results, you help a client choose a career that fits them. You can work in different settings, including educational institutions or government facilities.
Psychotherapists
A psychotherapist is a specialist in behavior and uses different techniques to treat psychiatric conditions. These mental health professionals use talk therapy to treat clients suffering from emotional problems and mental illnesses.
Some techniques used by psychotherapists include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Others are psychodynamic therapy, psychoanalysis, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
Family/Marriage Counselor
The family is a critical unit in society, but today, the institution is under threat from multiple issues. Many families suffer strife without seeking help. The lack of resolution to the many problems in the family leads to devastating consequences, including divorce, separation, substance abuse, suicides and behavior issues.
A family marriage counselor comes in handy in this fluid situation. You work closely with families to understand the cause of problems. As the family therapist, you provide a safe environment for family members to speak out without intimidation. You also guide clients to navigate through their issues.
You can work privately or under the health care/social welfare systems. In addition to your psychology degree, you have to get accreditation and licensing to practice in Illinois.
School Psychologist
School psychologists are more important than ever before. CDC data shows that prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, 1 in 5 children and adolescents had a mental health disorder. According to a recent survey from the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 71% of parents reported that the mental health of at least one of their children got worse after the pandemic began.
As a school psychologist, you will be able to administer psychological testing for students and help children and adolescents of school age be able to work through emotional and mental health issues which affect school performance and social skills.
These are only a few of the top jobs in psychology in Illinois. These jobs are highly competitive, and you’ve to be ready to grab the opportunity immediately it appears. To learn about the latest psychology and mental health jobs in Illinois, and to have potential employers see your resume, register today at 4 Cerebrum Careers and stay ahead in the job market.