Ever thought to yourself that you have what it takes to be a psychologist? Well, psychology is an interesting field, it’s true, and it has so many different avenues to explore. However, just because you think you can give good advice doesn’t mean you’re the best fit for this type of profession. It’s quite a demanding role, intellectually and emotionally, and you need to be a certain type of person to be suitable as a psychologist.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, and you’re excited to practise psychology one day, take a look at this article. Here look at some of the signs that are good indicators that you could be the right fit for the role of a psychologist.
Everyone feels they can confide in you
There’s always that one person that everyone finds so easy to confide in, and they can trust they will give sound advice and that everything is said in confidence. If this sounds like you, then it’s a good indicator that you might have the makings of a great psychologist. Being someone that others can trust when they bring their feelings and problems is a vital aspect of being a psychologist. The more your clients trust you, the easier it is to get them to open up and start seeing some progress in their lives.
You are an active listener
One thing that has become increasingly clear is that the world needs more active listeners, and this is a critical skill for psychologists. As a psychologist, you would have to spend hours every day listening to your client’s problems, and you’ll need to be able to stay laser-focused throughout every session, interpret what they’re saying and respond accordingly. So, if you’re the kind of person who genuinely listens to people without judgment, then you have the potential to be a good psychologist.
You are a confident communicator
On top of being a good listener, if you’re also the kind of person who interprets what people mean and is a confident communicator, these are key indicators that maybe you should pursue a career in psychology.
As we know, verbal communication is not the only thing you need to understand people; you also need to be able to pick up on non-verbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and eye contact, to name a few.
You are naturally curious
One of the key things that psychologists do within sessions is ask their clients questions. These aren’t just a standardised list of questions that they know they have to ask, but psychologists understand that no two cases are exactly the same, so this requires different questions to get to the root of their client’s problems. Asking the right questions requires a curious mind. Being curious about your clients’ lives and situations allows you to ask questions that allow them to introspect and reveal their innermost thoughts and help them make some progress.
You love to help people
As a psychologist, you’ll work closely with your clients and colleagues or other researchers to help them reach a shared goal. Whether it’s conducting research or holding one-on-one sessions with your clients, there’s no doubt about it: you’ll have many opportunities to help others. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys interacting with people and finding ways to help them – then you could be a wonderful therapist.
You approach things with an open mind
One thing you can never approach psychology with is narrow or close-mindedness. It’s your job as a psychologist to be supportive and non-judgmental. As soon as clients feel as if there is even a hint of judgment, they’ll close off, and they won’t be able to help them. Your clients should always be able to feel comfortable enough to open up to you about anything. So, having an open mind and avoiding preconceptions and prejudice will definitely work in your favour.
How do you pursue a career in psychology if you already have another degree?
Did you identify with these signs? Well, then, maybe you should be the person to pursue a career in psychology. There is a growing demand for psychologists and counsellors in this day and age because there has been a significant growth in mental health disorders over the past few decades. But how do you start your journey to study psychology?
Suppose you’re a person considering a career change and want to become a qualified psychologist. In that case, your best course of action is to do a bridging course in psychology, as this recognises your value as a person already with a degree. This kind of course will allow you to take a sequence of units in psychology that are essential for forming the foundation of psychology before you move on to more advanced units and help you fast-track your studies.
To be eligible for enrollment for a bridging course in psychology, for most online courses, you need to have the following:
- An AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification (in any other field aside from Psychology)
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 (for applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds)
Final Thoughts
Don’t feel like you’ve missed your calling in life! It’s not too late to still follow your dreams. So, if you feel like you identify with the signs above and you have the drive and passion for it, start your journey to becoming a psychologist by doing a postgraduate bridging course.