Where will a career in psychology take you?
Psychological anthropology studies how culture shapes human thought, behavior, and mental health. To become a psychological anthropologist, you'll need at least a master's degree, though a PhD is strongly recommended. Median salaries range from $69,960 for anthropologists to $111,040 for psychologists in federal government roles, with job growth projected at 5-6% through 2033.
Applied psychology covers everything from organizational psychology to neuropsychology and everything in between underneath its umbrella. But generally speaking, applied psychologist is the use of psychological methods and scientific results to solve real, tangible and practical problems that affect students and animals. It is a very general term and there are a great deal of professional psychologists who can call themselves applied psychologists.
Discover physiatry careers: medical doctors specializing in physical medicine earn $260K-$364K. Learn education requirements, job outlook & subspecialties.
To become a school counselor, you'll need a master's degree in school counseling or a related field (2-3 years), state certification or licensure, and supervised clinical hours (typically 600-1,000 hours depending on your state). Most states also require passing the Praxis School Counselor exam or a similar assessment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors (which includes school counselors) is $65,140 annually as of May 2024.
Geropsychology is a specialized field focused on the mental health and cognitive well-being of older adults, typically those 65 and older. Professionals in this field address age-related challenges, including dementia, depression, chronic illness adjustment, end-of-life concerns, and caregiver support. Career paths include clinical geropsychologist (requires doctoral degree and licensure, median salary $90,130), mental health counselor specializing in aging (master's degree required, median salary $53,710), and marriage and family therapist with geriatric focus (master's degree required, median salary $58,510).
Effective therapy includes nine key elements: a non-judgmental environment where you feel safe sharing, a clear focus on your personal goals, evidence-based treatment approaches, regular progress reviews, strict confidentiality (with apparent exceptions), respect for your cultural beliefs, active listening from your therapist, professional boundaries, and a therapeutic (not personal) relationship. If your therapist provides these elements, you're receiving quality care that can lead to meaningful change.
Exposure therapy is a proven psychological treatment that helps people overcome anxiety disorders by gradually and safely confronting feared situations, objects, or memories. Effectiveness varies by condition, ranging from approximately 80-90% for specific phobias to 60-80% for PTSD and 60-70% for OCD when conducted by licensed therapists over 8-16 sessions.
