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Psychology

9 types of psychologists: which career is right for you?

The first step to becoming a psychologist with a special endorsement is to determine which area of psychology you want to study at a postgraduate level.



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When you think of a psychologist, what comes to mind?

Many people will be most familiar with a clinical psychologist, sitting with a patient one-on-one to discuss matters surrounding their general mental health.

While this is one path for psychology graduates to pursue, it certainly isn’t the only one. In fact, there are nine different types of psychologists, and with the right postgraduate degree, your psychology career options are abundant.

The 9 different types of psychologists

Depending on your interest, you can become a psychologist with general registration or a particular specialisation. Let’s explore what these areas are and what kind of career outcomes they lead to. While this is not an exhaustive list, it highlights the diverse and important roles that psychologists play in understanding and improving human behaviour and wellbeing.

1. Clinical neuropsychology

A clinical neuropsychologist specialises in how the brain’s structure corresponds to behaviour. They focus on the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and conditions that relate to the brain.

From assessment and treatment to rehabilitation services, clinical neuropsychologists may also provide rehabilitation services, including cognitive and behavioural interventions, to help individuals with brain injuries or disorders to improve functioning and quality of life.

A clinical neuropsychologist commonly works in hospitals but may also work in a private clinical practice, government agency, academic setting or in research.

2. Clinical psychology

A clinical psychologist focuses on mental health. They work with clients to assess, diagnose and treat mental, behavioural and emotional problems.

Clinical psychologists work with individuals of all ages, and use a variety of techniques, such as psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and other evidence-based approaches, to help their clients manage symptoms, develop coping skills, and improve overall wellbeing.

A clinical psychologist may choose to work in private practice, research, or various public sectors, including health and government. They may also choose to specialise further and work exclusively with certain disorders, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others.

3. Community psychology

A community psychologist works with vulnerable groups of people within the community to improve their wellbeing. Their focus goes beyond mental health and encompasses social, cultural, political and economic influences.

Community psychology emphasises the importance of collaboration and empowerment and works to promote positive change at the individual, community and societal levels.

A community psychologist will usually work within the public health and human services sector at a local, state or federal level.

4. Counselling psychology

A counselling psychologist provides therapeutic services to people in areas such as grief, life transitions and relationship difficulties.

Counselling psychology is an important field that helps individuals improve their mental and emotional health, and enhances their ability to cope with the challenges of daily life.

A counselling psychologist can work in private practice, various public sectors, including health and government, or corporate organisations.

5. Educational and developmental psychology

Educational and developmental psychologists complete accredited child psychology courses to work with children, adolescents, parents, carers and educators. They work towards treating young people’s social, behavioural and developmental issues.

Educational and developmental psychologists dive deep into how individuals develop and learn, and how to optimise educational and developmental outcomes accordingly.

Educational and developmental psychologists can work within private practice, the public sector, schools and organisations.

6. Forensic psychology

A forensic psychologist combines their expertise in psychology, research and the law to help people and organisations navigate the legal system. Forensic psychology is an important field that helps to inform and improve legal proceedings, promote public safety, and enhance the mental health and wellbeing of individuals involved in the legal system. 

Forensic psychologists may work in a variety of roles, including as consultants, expert witnesses and researchers. They may work with individuals involved in the legal system, such as defendants, victims, and law enforcement officials.

7. Health psychology

A health psychologist helps people with matters that impact their health, such as chronic pain, trauma and disability.

Health psychologists study how psychological factors, such as stress, coping strategies, and personality, can impact physical health outcomes, such as the development and progression of disease.

Health psychologists can often design public health programs. They can also work in private practice or the public sector.

8. Organisational psychology

An organisational psychologist works with companies to bring a psychological perspective to recruiting, training and professional development.

Organisational psychologists study topics such as employee motivation, job satisfaction, leadership, team dynamics, and organisational culture. Organisational psychologists may work in a variety of settings, such as corporations, consulting firms, and government agencies, and may collaborate with other professionals, such as human resources and management personnel, to improve organisational outcomes.

9. Sport and exercise psychology

A sports psychologist works with athletes on injury management, performance, anxiety, team building and burnout, among other conditions.

Sports psychologists work with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional, and may help with a range of concerns, such as improving motivation, managing anxiety and stress, enhancing focus and concentration, and developing coping strategies. They may also work with coaches and teams to improve communication and team dynamics.

How to become an accredited psychologist

By completing advanced qualifications, you can become eligible for an Area of Practice Endorsement (AoPE). This endorsement certifies that you have completed advanced training in a specialist area and allows you to use the protected job titles above.

To receive an AoPE, you must complete:

  • a master’s or doctorate qualification accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) 
  • a period of supervised practice

Our step-by-step guide to becoming a psychologist can help you start on your career pathway. 

Lifelong learning is a core part of a psychologist’s job

Continued education benefits all types of psychologists, their teams and their clients.

Peter Hayton is a Senior Psychologist at The Banyans Healthcare Group and has been practising psychology for over 20 years.

“Psychology is a lifelong career. We need to engage in learning beyond our undergraduate and master's,” says Peter.

In fact, not only is professional development encouraged, it’s essential.

“As part of our registration, there’s mandatory professional development,” says Peter. “What this involves will depend on your specialty.”

With so many types of psychologists, which specialty should I choose?

Peter explains that while clinical psychology is the most common career choice for a psychology student, it’s important to consider the different types of psychologists, including specialising or being a generalist.

“In 2006, the Medicare services came in. What that meant was a focus on clinical psychology because there’s a 30 per cent higher rebate for a clinical psychologist.

“I think psychologists should step outside of the Medicare world, as it’s not our only source of funding,” continues Peter. “Schools employ educational and developmental psychologists; businesses engage organisational psychologists; and I have many colleagues who supervise other psychologists and health professionals.

“Clinical psychology seems sensible, but if you are passionate about another area, do that. The demand is there.”

How to become one of the nine types of psychologists

GlobalHealth Education offers online psychology courses for people who want to take the first steps towards becoming a practising psychologist.

If you haven’t studied psychology before, you can start with a graduate certificate and work towards a graduate diploma. From there, you can go on to complete a master’s degree and set out on the path towards a fulfilling career in one of the most in demand jobs in Australia.

The variety of flexible postgraduate degrees online at GHE, from Australia’s leading universities, means you can further your career while working full-time.

Take the next step in your psychology career

Find out which psychology course can help you kickstart or further your psychology career. Select a course below and enquire to have a Student Enrolment Advisor reach out to you. 

Postgraduate psychology courses in Australia

The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.

Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Stand out Differentiate your CV as a professional with an understanding of contemporary psychology and its application to human-centred roles across industries. Unique curriculum Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and current and emerging global challenges, this course offers a broad scope of subjects, including Environmental Psychology and Health, Wellbeing & Resilience. 50 years experience JCU has 50 years experience in teaching and research in Psychology. You’ll study and connect with industry leaders, specialists and experienced academics. The JCU Online Graduate Certificate of Psychology is a contemporary and hands-on qualification designed for the future. You will develop professional skills, learn about emerging trends in psychology and study a range of contemporary subjects. A way forward in human-centred professions Advance your career in industries such as teaching, human resources, marketing, counselling, social work or consulting. A course for passionate inquirers Build your knowledge and skills while gaining a better understanding of yourself and the people around you. A stepping stone to becoming a registered psychologist This qualification can also be a pathway to studying the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging)* and to becoming a registered psychologist. *The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Graduate Certificate 8 months 4 Units
Units
  • Social Psychology
  • Individual Differences in Personality
  • The Psychology of Health, Wellbeing and Resilience
  • Human Development Across the Lifespan
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
  • Learning, Memory Cognition and Language
  • Neuroscience and the Biological Bases of Behaviour
  • Environmental Psychology and Sustainable Futures
  • Principles of Counselling
  • Research and Statistics for Psychology
Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Graduate Certificate of Psychology
Entry without a bachelor's degree Have the opportunity to study psychology and begin the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist without a bachelor’s degree. If you have five years of work experience in any field, you can gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Psychology. Pathway towards a career as a registered psychologist The Graduate Certificate of Psychology can be your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Study an additional four units and gain your Graduate Diploma of Psychology, which can be a pathway to further study. Enhance your current skill set Apply psychology in professional contexts that benefit from an understanding of human behaviour. Take your career in education, human resources, marketing or another human-centred field to the next level. With ECU’s Accelerated Online Graduate Certificate of Psychology, you will build your psychological literacy and gain a foundational understanding of the field. Learn to promote psychological health and wellbeing, develop your cultural awareness and gain skills that you can apply to a number of roles and sectors. This degree is a great option for professionals who want to gain skills in psychology that can be applied to their current and future roles.
Graduate Certificate 8 months 4 Units
Units
  • Psychological Science of Wellbeing
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Childhood
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Adulthood
  • Psychological Science of Human Social Behaviour
  • Psychological Science of Human Information Processing
  • Neuroscience and Human Behaviour
  • Correlational Research Design and Analysis
  • Experimental Research Design and Analysis
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Learn from experts at the leading edge of psychological science. Keep up with the latest science and technology. Study an internationally-relevant course aligned with the latest American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines. Develop culturally-responsive skills in a curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP). Have the flexibility to learn when it suits you with a course that’s been developed for the online learning environment. With UTS Online’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology, you’ll gain contemporary knowledge and practical skills, preparing you to harness the power of psychology in your work. Students of this course may come from various fields such as education, human resources, business management, accounting, communications, social work and counselling. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is for professionals who are: From a diverse range of backgrounds and industries with no qualification in psychology. Have a passion for helping others and making a difference. Ready for a new challenge. Lead busy lives and are seeking work–life balance while studying online. The 100% online Graduate Diploma in Psychology is your first step towards pursuing a career in psychology. Upon successful completion of this course, you may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), which is the next step in your pathway to becoming a registered psychologist or researcher. *UTS is currently seeking APAC accreditation.
Graduate Diploma 20 months 10 Units
Units
  • Introduction to Psychology Foundations​
  • Introduction to Psychological Science
  • Brain and Behaviour
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
  • Development Across the Lifespan
  • Research Methods and Theory in Psychology
  • Research Design and Analysis in Psychology
  • Psychological Assessment, Ethics, and Professional Skills
  • Society, Psychological Health and Wellbeing
  • Cognitive Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Psychology
Pathway towards a career as a registered psychologist The Graduate Diploma of Psychology can be your first step towards becoming a registered psychologist. Fast-track your studies by completing your graduate diploma in only eight units compared to typical ten or 12-unit graduate programs.  Entry without a bachelor's degree Have the opportunity to begin the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist without a bachelor’s degree. If you have five years work experience in any field, you can gain entry to the Graduate Certificate of Psychology before progressing the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.  Flexible, accelerated and 100% online ECU degrees allow you to tailor your study to your busy schedule and complete your degree sooner than traditional on-campus study. Experience our engaging online learning environment with support from academics, Student Success Advisors and fellow students. This is a degree for students who have not studied psychology before. For students who want to start the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist, it is the equivalent to a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology*. Alternatively, this degree is also a great option for students who are interested in learning about psychology and gaining skills that can be applied to their current field. Students who have studied Psychology at a bachelor's level before should consider the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). *ECU is currently seeking APAC accreditation. 
Graduate Diploma 16 months 8 Units
Units
  • Psychological Science of Wellbeing
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Childhood
  • Psychological Development and Diversity in Adulthood
  • Psychological Science of Human Social Behaviour
  • Psychological Science of Human Information Processing
  • Neuroscience and Human Behaviour
  • Correlational Research Design and Analysis
  • Experimental Research Design and Analysis
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)
Learn from experts at the leading edge of psychological science. Keep up with the latest science and technology. Take a world view with course content based on the latest American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines. Become a culturally-responsive professional by undertaking a curriculum guided by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP). Be on your path to becoming a registered psychologist or researcher. Have the flexibility to learn when it suits you with a course that’s been developed for the online learning platform. With UTS Online’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement principles of psychological science in diverse work settings. The 100% online and accelerated course enables you to immediately add value to your organisation and career. This course is developed in line with the American Psychological Association Guidelines and offers a curriculum informed by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project. Don’t have a psychology background? We offer an online Graduate Diploma in Psychology for professionals from various backgrounds and industries with no qualification in psychology. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Psychology you may apply for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced).
Graduate Diploma 16 months 6 Units
Units
  • Psychological Science Career Readiness
  • Advanced Professional Skills and Ethical Issues in Psychology
  • Advanced Psychological Assessment and Intervention
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Research Project A
  • Research Project B
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
Developed by industry experts The Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) is designed and delivered by experienced psychology researchers and practitioners. Benefit from close support from engaged academics and build your professional network as you continue your journey to becoming a registered psychologist. Flexible, accelerated and 100% online ECU degrees allow you to tailor your study to your busy schedule and complete your degree sooner than traditional on-campus study. Get support from academics, Student Success Advisors and fellow students. Support while you study At ECU, you will receive the support you need to succeed when fitting study into your already busy life. Not only are our teaching staff supportive and attentive - you will also have a dedicated Student Success Advisor to support you every step of the way at ECU. This degree is for postgraduate students who want to leverage their previous study and continue along the pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist. Upon successful completion, you will fulfil the education requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia*. *ECU is currently seeking APAC accreditation. 
Graduate Diploma 16 months 8 Units
Units
  • Foundations of Client-Centred Psychological Practice
  • Applications of Psychological Assessment
  • Applications of Psychological Interventions
  • Applied Psychological Practice
  • Qualitative Research Skills and Applications
  • Evidence Based Practice in Psychology
  • Applied Psychological Research Design
  • Communicating Research in Psychology
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging)
Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging)
APAC accredited Our Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). 50 years experience JCU has 50 years experience in teaching and research in psychology. You’ll study and connect with industry leaders, specialists and experienced academics. Unique curriculum Subjects align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as current and emerging global health challenges in a technology-enabled society. The JCU Online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) is a contemporary and hands-on qualification designed for the future. It provides the foundational knowledge of the history of psychology and develops your professional skills to apply contemporary psychology to solve community-based challenges. A stepping stone to becoming a registered psychologist This qualification is a pathway to further study for those who want to change their career to become a psychologist. This may include career pathways such as general or clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology and organisational psychology. A way forward in human-centred professions This degree is also for professionals in human-centred occupations who are focused on career growth and want the skills to help them achieve more in current and future roles. This may include teaching, human resources, marketing, counselling, social work and consulting. This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Graduate Diploma 20 months 10 Units
Units
  • Social Psychology
  • Individual Differences in Personality
  • The Psychology of Health, Wellbeing and Resilience
  • Human Development Across the Lifespan
  • Psychological Disorders and Interventions
  • Learning, Memory Cognition and Language
  • Neuroscience and the Biological Bases of Behaviour
  • Environmental Psychology and Sustainable Futures
  • Principles of Counselling
  • Research and Statistics for Psychology

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