What is a Psychologist?

About Psychologists

A Psychologist is a medical specialist who evaluates, diagnoses, treats, and studies the behavioral and mental processes of patients of all ages. They provide consultation and counseling to help patients understand and manage thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Assessment and diagnosis are carried out with the use of a variety of psychological tests and mental and behavioral evaluations. Psychologists prescribe treatments and psychotherapies and are also active in conducting ongoing research into new theories and developments in the study of psychosis on an academic and applied level.

Topics that psychologists focus on include mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias, neurological, genetic, psychological, and social determinants of behavior, brain injury, degenerative brain diseases, pain medicine, psychological aspects of terminal illnesses, cognitive functions, developmental and behavioral abilities, addiction and substance abuse, marital and family relationships and problems, work, and societal relationships.

Psychologists practice in a variety of environments including in private offices, hospitals, clinics, as well as educational and correctional facilities. Psychologists work alongside many physicians from various medical specialties as well as working with Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, and Occupational Therapists.

Useful Resources

Canada

Canadian Register of Health Service Psychologists

Alberta

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia