Health psychology, also known as medical psychology or behavioral medicine, focuses on integrating biology, psychology, behavior, and social factors in the study of health and illness. Health psychology applies the knowledge of psychological factors to public health programs, health care centers, and direct work with patients.
Health psychologists will often support the mental health of sick or injured patients. In addition, employees in this field use their specialized skills to improve overall health care systems by optimizing communication between doctors and patients and improving mental health initiatives in health care.
Request infoHealth psychology is a key component of prevention in health care, using psychological principles to influence overall well-being and health education.
Jobs in health psychology can span multiple disciplines, as mental and physical health touch on many aspects of our lives. Examples of careers in health psychology include:
Community Health Advocate
A community-focused health psychologist works in specific communities to find interventions and methods to improve health outcomes. Professionals in this field focus on the theories and methods of qualitative health psychology and how they can be applied in communities to promote physical and mental health and prevent diseases.
Community health advocates also help people struggling with issues such as drug addiction or malnutrition. They are employed in various sectors, including government agencies, health centers, teaching positions in schools, and more.
Wellness Specialist
Wellness specialists are advocates of healthy living. They guide both individuals and small groups in making life-sustaining choices. Health psychologists in this field play a vital role in counseling individuals on basic health practices such as regular washing of hands, consuming nutritional foods, and abstinence from harmful substances such as drugs, cigarettes, etc.
They also address larger issues such as suicide prevention, terminal illnesses, and post-traumatic stress cases. Wellness specialists can serve in schools, workplaces, and other organizations.
Request infoHealth Researcher
Health researchers contribute to health policy and practice through carefully crafted studies and research findings. A health researcher with a health psychology background may investigate and study the intersection of positive mental attitudes and disease prevention. They can then develop findings related to how a person’s psycho-social balance influences health.
Clinical Health Psychologist
Clinical health psychologists apply their specialized knowledge of psychology to the direct treatment of patients. These professionals aim to understand how patients’ behaviors affect physical health outcomes.
According to the American Board of Professional Psychology, clinical health psychologists work toward “the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of illness and disability; and the improvement of the health care system.”
Clinical health psychologists may be employed in government organizations, administration settings, hospitals, private practices, and more.
Educator
While broad, this career enables health psychologists to personally improve individuals’ well-being across a variety of settings through education.
Health psychology educators can work as fitness coaches, addiction therapists, professors, and more. They can also train other health practitioners such as doctors to effectively communicate with patients and incorporate mental health into their practice.
Begin your career in health psychology at The Chicago School. Our online B.A. in Psychology, Health Sciences Minor provides a strong foundation for careers in medical and health services, counseling, and more. Request more information here.
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