How To Make A Career In Psychology In India

Introduction

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. It seeks to understand and explain the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and actions that shape human experiences, making it a rewarding career. Professionals in this field work to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals, groups, and communities.

Psychology can be a wonderful choice of career if:

• You are interested in exploring human behavior and their actions, in depth.
• You are interested in exploring the conscious and unconscious minds of individuals.
• You are interested in helping individuals.
• You are interested in administering different tests.
• You find interest in teaching others.
• You find interest in research.

Areas of Concern

• Raising awareness about mental health: There are numerous negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that society holds about individuals with mental health challenges. Therefore, you get an opportunity to break the stereotype by spreading more and more awareness about mental health.
• Sweeping away misconceptions surrounding mental health: People may associate mental health issues with weakness, instability, or dangerous behavior, leading to discrimination and social exclusion. People need to come out of this stereotypical idea which is only possible through psycho-education.
• Learn and growing through interaction with a diverse range of individuals: Many individuals hesitate to talk about their mental health concerns due to fear of being judged, labeled, or shamed in Indian society. Thus, you can reach out to provide them with a safe space and make a positive impact on people’s lives.
• Long-Term Study: It takes long time with extensive study to build a career in psychology, but once done, one can get

Why Is Psychology And Mental Health Important As A Subject?

• Develop specialized knowledge: The field of mental health is constantly evolving and offers numerous opportunities for exploration and discovery, which includes the scope for extensive:

RESEARCH – It explores a wide range of topics and methodologies that contribute to our understanding of human behavior, cognition, emotions, development, and mental processes.

ACADEMIA – It not only explores a wide range of specialization and helps to gain a good teaching experience by mentoring and guiding students, but also provides the opportunity for personal and professional development by exploring different career pathways.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS – Clinical psychology is a specialized branch of psychology which is probably the most celebrated one, that focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders and emotional difficulties.

CORRECTION CENTRES – Correctional psychology is a specialized branch of psychology which deals with the individuals in detention. It acknowledges the mental health of offenders and protects them from committing self harm. It also focuses on their misconduct, trying to make a safer environment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS – This specialized field is concerned with the mental health of employees, thereby focusing on their productivity of work, behavior in the organization, satisfaction of the job and so on.

• Self-awareness enhancement and boosting self-confidence: 

Human actions can be confusing, with instances where we are unsure why we acted as we did. Psychology helps us to figure out why we do what we do. Through understanding personal behavior and gaining emotional regulation skills, individuals can boost their confidence, thereby uplifting their self-esteem. 

Ongoing Initiatives In Mental Health

• Government Organization: The Indian government has taken steps to address mental health awareness by launching programs such as the National Mental Health Programme which provide accessible mental health care services and promote awareness at both urban and rural levels.

• Media and Entertainment: Films, television shows, media outlets in India and social media as well, are beginning to portray mental health issues more accurately and sensitively playing a significant role in normalizing conversations about mental health.

• Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges in India are also recognizing the importance of mental health. Some institutions, including special schools and colleges, have started implementing counseling services and awareness programs to support the mental well-being of students.

• Workplace Initiatives: Some Indian companies are introducing employee assistance programs (EAPs) and mental health support in the workplace, recognizing the impact of mental health on productivity and overall well-being.

• Ongoing Efforts: Various NGOs, mental health organizations, and individuals continue to work toward increasing mental health awareness, advocating for policy changes, and providing support to those in need.

How Feasible Is It To Make It A Career In India?

• Psychology is a rapidly growing field in India, thereby providing a huge scope.
• There are many sub-fields in psychology which a person can opt for to make their career in psychology.

Clinical: Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and practice privately, providing therapy and counseling to individuals dealing with emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues.

Counseling: Counseling psychologists focus on providing guidance and support to individuals dealing with life challenges, stress, relationship issues, and personal development. They often work in educational institutions, community centers, and private practices.

Industrial-Organizational: I-O psychologists apply psychological principles to the workplace. They work with organizations to improve employee productivity, morale, and overall well-being. They may be involved in tasks such as employee selection, performance evaluation, and organizational development.

Developmental: Developmental psychologists work in educational settings to support students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. They assess and provide interventions for students facing learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional issues.

Forensic: Forensic psychologists work within the legal and criminal justice systems. They assess individuals involved in legal cases, evaluate their mental state, and provide expert testimony in court. They also contribute to criminal profiling and offender rehabilitation.

Criminal: It is much like Forensic but they generally deal with understanding the inner workings of a criminal’s mind, including motivation, mental health, and background. They work in association with district, state or central government. They may also be working in crime scenes with police officers and CBI agents.

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation counselors assist individuals with disabilities to lead independent lives. They provide counseling, vocational training, and support to help their clients integrate into society and the workforce.

Fashion: Fashion psychologists aim to understand how clothing choices can impact an individual’s self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being, as well as how societal trends and cultural influences shape fashion preferences.

Sports: Sports psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to enhance the performance, well-being, and overall experience of athletes and individuals involved in sports and physical activities to help them improve their mental skills and achieve their goals.

Military: A military psychologist works within the context of the military to address the unique psychological challenges and issues that arise in the military environment and provides psychological services to them and their families.

• As more people are becoming aware of mental health, more universities are including psychology as their course, thereby increasing the demand for professors of psychology.

Challenges Faced By A Psychologist And Other Mental Health Professionals

• Mental Health is still a major stigma in India for which people don’t freely come out to seek help.
• Cooperation from the family members is essential. However, they fail to provide adequate support due to lack of knowledge and increased stigmatization.
• Certainty in financial stability only after extended period of study.
• Challenging work atmosphere as their is the need to deal with intense emotions of clients.
• Timetable may lack consistency due to the unpredictability of the clients’ schedule.
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with clients can be difficult. Psychologists need to find the balance between being empathetic and maintaining a professional relationship.
• Maintaining confidentiality comes under strict ethical guidelines. However, at times confidentiality has to be broken if the client’s safety or the safety of others is concerned. Thereby, breaking the trust of the client.
• Psychologists are bound to be non judgmental. However, it is challenging for any individual to be unbiased in every aspect.

Steps To Build Your Academic Career

• Building a career in psychology takes dedication, ongoing learning, and a commitment to helping others.
• It requires a long term determination as it takes time to become settled.
• Tailor your path to your interests and strengths, and be open to the diverse opportunities the field offers.

Educational Foundation:

High School Education

• It is preferable to have the subject of psychology in their +2 to get a basic knowledge about the subject if you have a long term goal to make a career in psychology.
• However, it is not mandatory and one can still make a career in psychology by belonging from any stream.

Bachelor’s

For making a career in psychology, having a graduate degree in either of the following areas is essential:

1. B.A/B.Sc in Psychology
2. B.A/B.Sc in Applied Psychology
3. B.A/B.Sc in related subjects-  Behavioral Science, Social Work, Education, Sociology, Philosophy

Masters

• Having a Masters degree in Psychology is the next important checkpoint to make a career in psychology. Specialization is generally offered in a Master’s in Psychology after one year, however, it depends on the specific institution.
• It refers to the process of focusing your studies and training on a specific subfield or area within the broader field of psychology and may differ according to one’s area of interest, such as clinical, counseling, industrial-organizational, educational, forensic, HR, and more.
• Specializing during your master’s program can enhance your career prospects, provide a deeper understanding of your chosen area, and prepare you for more targeted roles within the field.

MPhil

• Individuals who aspire to become clinical psychologists, Mphil must be pursued from RCI recognized universities to get a Liscence.
• MPhil stands for Master of Philosophy, which is a distinctive qualification that shares greater similarities with a PhD than with other Master’s degrees.
• During the course of the MPhil program in Clinical Psychology, students are usually assigned a supervisor or an advisor who guides and supports their research and on-field efforts.
• The RCI is a statutory body established under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992, with the primary objective of regulating and standardizing the training and practice of various rehabilitation professionals, including clinical psychologists, to ensure high-quality services for individuals with disabilities and special needs. (https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/)

PhD

• Individuals who have completed their masters can continue with the course of Phd in psychology or any specialized field in psychology.
• PhD candidates engage in rigorous research, often contributing to the body of knowledge within their chosen area of specialization. It not only enhances the theoretical understanding of psychological phenomena but also has practical applications in addressing real-world issues.
• It is more important for those who decide to make their career in academics rather than any other professionals.

PsyD

• Similar to PhD, PsyD is a doctorate degree and can be pursued at any point after masters. PsyD program is designed to prepare students for hands-on clinical practice. This includes training in assessment, diagnosis, therapy techniques, and working with diverse populations.
• It is more of an important course for those who are determined to be clinicians as it focuses on training individuals to become licensed clinical psychologists. Completion of this course will provide a license to practice as a clinical psychologist.

Other Diploma/PG Diploma Courses

• Diploma courses in psychology are shorter, focused educational programs that provide foundational knowledge and skills in the field of psychology.
• These courses are often designed to give students a basic understanding of psychological concepts, theories, and practical applications without requiring the extensive commitment of time and resources that a full degree program would demand.

Special Education

• This field examines cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that impact education and human development throughout life. Special educators deal with kids who have emotional, behavioral, or cognitive challenges, as well as those with intellectual, sensory, speech, or learning disorders.

Some of the RCI registered courses include:

• B.Ed./M.Ed. Special Education
• P.G. Diploma in Early Intervention
• P.G. Diploma in Early Intervention
• Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (Intellectual Disability)
• B.Sc. (Special Education and Rehabilitation)

To know about institutions in detail, click the following link: https://rehabcouncil.nic.in/regular-mode