Psychology is a rewarding and multifaceted field, with the unique opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.
If you’re a prospective or current psychology student, you might be unsure about the initial and ongoing study commitment required to become a registered psychologist. Perhaps you feel doubtful about your future career and whether finishing your studies to attain registration is worth it.
In this article, we’ll cover the importance of establishing your ‘why’ when it comes to pursuing a psychology career. We’ll also explore professional insights from a registered psychologist on strategies to support career longevity once you’re in the field. Then, we’ll cover some important points to keep in mind to help you remain focused and inspired to build the career you want as a psychologist.
Why do you want to be a psychologist?
There could be many reasons you want to pursue a career as a psychologist. Perhaps you have had a personal experience with a psychologist and found it profoundly helpful. Or, you might be interested in human behaviour and the underlying factors that influence us as human beings.
It can be helpful to remind yourself of what sparked your interest in the first place, as well as remembering your ultimate goals for your career trajectory. Knowing your ‘why’ can help you reorient, especially when you face challenges during your study journey. You should feel confident that you have the capacity to embrace the process, remain focused and can enjoy the fruits of your labour in your future career.
The journey to becoming a psychologist could be described as a marathon, not a sprint. Then, once you arrive, you’ll continue to evolve and develop yourself in your practice. You’ll gain invaluable skills and expertise, which can open up opportunities in the industry itself and beyond. Let’s look at some key features that help promote longevity in a psychology career.
What sustains a psychology career?
Many psychologists experience moments of fatigue, frustration or doubt while supporting the needs of clients with complex presentations. However, psychologists continue in their roles, often for years, to enjoy long and enriching careers.
So what sustains a psychologist in their career?
Knowing your work has a direct contribution to the emotional, mental and overall wellbeing being of others can be immensely fulfilling. Psychologists can witness firsthand the positive impact they have on individuals and society. Ultimately, psychologists find ways to move through the tough times, commit to years of study and dedicate themselves to their clients because of the meaningful and transformative work they do.
To build resilience during difficult phases of your role and to make the most of the rewards that accompany this work, there are some simple ways you can support yourself to enjoy a long and successful psychology career.
Practice daily self-compassion
The reality of being a psychologist is that it comes with both rewards and challenges. Similar to any line of work, there are going to be good days and bad days. It’s important to offer yourself compassion during difficulties at work while keeping in mind the overall positive impact you have on your clients.
Registered psychologist Luke Lawrence from Explore Psychology in Geelong shares his advice on how he resets himself if some days are particularly challenging in his practice. “You can’t always bounce back and be fine the next day. Sometimes you need to acknowledge that a bad day is just a bad day and you’re allowed to have them,” Luke says.
Understand your client’s therapeutic process
He adds that it’s also vital for psychologists to understand the nature of their work and the inherent difficulty involved in working with people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Some aspects of the job are simply outside of your control and don’t necessarily indicate your worth and competence as a professional in this field.
“[Psychology practice] is not mathematical, it might be messy and some people may not be ready to be helped. It may not be you, sometimes it’s on the client and their willingness to engage.” When you have tough days, remember the broader purpose of your role. You’re there to support your clients, remaining present and offering them unconditional positive regard. As Luke explains, “the big picture is that I'm still able to turn up to work with the intention to help.”
Gaining feedback from clients is another way to ensure you remain motivated, inspired and confident that the work you’re doing is meaningful. Having clients fill out a questionnaire at the end of their sessions regarding their progress is a useful way for both parties to determine what’s working and what could be improved upon or changed to optimise the therapeutic outcome.
Set clear professional boundaries
Luke emphasises the importance of boundary-setting as a psychologist. “You’ve got to have a clear division with work and life,” Luke says. Doing this safeguards both the client’s wellbeing and your own professional integrity. It’s also an important strategy to ensure you remain effective in your work, help prevent burnout and foster a sustainable long-term career.
He shared his methods for keeping healthy emotional boundaries between his clients and his personal life in the form of a mindfulness practice at the end of his work day. “I visualise my office door closing and all my clients are behind it.” This serves as a powerful yet effective way to create a mental boundary between yourself and your clients. It also helps signal the end of the emotional and mental engagement with clients, allowing you to "leave" your work behind. By consciously marking this transition, you can protect your own wellbeing, giving yourself the appropriate space to return to work the following day with renewed focus and energy.
What aspiring psychologists should keep in mind
The fact remains that pursuing a psychology degree and becoming registered as a psychologist is a lengthy process. It takes a minimum of six years of study to become eligible for general registration.
Here are some things to consider as you’re navigating the path toward registration as a psychologist and looking toward your future career in this rewarding field.
Registration can benefit your career
The primary benefit of obtaining registration is to work as a qualified psychologist. The recognition as a registered professional can provide you with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. In many cases, your earning potential can also be influenced by the level of experience and education you have as a registered psychologist. You have higher credibility and can work within your scope of practice to support people in various settings, including private practice, schools, organisations and community sectors.
Despite the challenges and the time investment required to reach this point, the ability to apply your skills in meaningful ways and have a positive impact on individuals, families and communities is a compelling motivator to continue on your path toward registration.
If you decide to pursue extra study in an area of practice endorsement, you can practice in one of the nine practice areas. For example, you can work in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, educational psychology, forensic psychology or organisational psychology. The diversity of roles means you can find a niche area of psychology that aligns with your interests and strengths.
Luke acknowledges the degree of flexibility in what you can do as a registered psychologist. He says psychology students should feel assured that their career path affords plenty of opportunities for movement. “You don’t necessarily feel trapped; you can change it up a lot and there’s a lot of diversity and interesting fields to explore”, he says.
Lifelong learning is essential for success
Your study journey doesn’t end once you’ve become a registered psychologist. When you enter the field, you will continue to learn, whether it’s through upskilling with postgraduate education, continuing professional development (CPD) or self-guided exploration.
Using CPD opportunities and learning new approaches to providing psychotherapy is one way Luke keeps himself motivated and fulfilled in his career. He says that the value of being a lifelong learner in this field is huge and there are always ways to understand human behaviour better and diversify your approach as a clinician. “It’s not only a requirement of your registration, it also keeps you fresh and interested,” he says.
Embracing a growth mindset allows you to view challenges as opportunities for learning and development, both in the work sphere and personally. Continuous learning facilitates the process of self-improvement and allows you to gain a deeper understanding of clients’ needs.
As long as you remain open to new perspectives, research, emerging trends and technologies, you can evolve your practice, stay engaged and provide more effective care to the clients you help. This promotes better job satisfaction and provides a strong sense of purpose as you’re invested in your client’s progress and recovery via your own development and skill enhancement. This ultimately contributes to long-term career fulfilment as you master more skills and gain further experience, which help sustain your psychology career.
Seek support from mentors and peers
Sometimes, the best way to decide whether to continue your studies is to seek advice from those who have walked the path. Having a support network can help you feel more confident about your study and career decisions.
Try contacting professors, other health professionals or registered psychologists in the field. Ask about their personal journeys and how they stayed motivated through their studies and careers.
The Australian Psychological Society offers mentorship programs that can help connect you with professionals who can provide practical advice and share insights into their own experiences. It provides a powerful resource for professional development strategies, career planning and goal setting. You’ll gain feedback from other psychologists and be involved in a collaborative network, making valuable connections in the industry.
Many universities also offer peer mentorship programs, where senior psychology students mentor first-year students and offer support on potential career trajectories. Student-led mentorships also provide a unique opportunity for new students to start networking with like-minded peers in the psychology field.
Start exploring study pathways to launch your psychology career
If you’re at the beginning of your study journey, enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Psychology is the first step toward becoming a psychologist. From here, you can either continue with further study to become registered or explore your career options using your foundational psychology skills and knowledge.
If you’re interested in a career as a registered psychologist, committing to a postgraduate psychology course could be the next step on your career path. These qualifications open doors to various careers, both within the psychology profession and beyond.
Book a professional development strategy call with our Education Consultant to get started on your study journey.
Postgraduate psychology courses like the Graduate Certificate of Psychology from James Cook University or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney are among the many psychology courses offered by GlobalHealth Education’s university partners. These online postgraduate psychology programs have multiple yearly intakes and online delivery to suit your study requirements and lifestyle.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
If you’re wondering about postgraduate courses in other areas of healthcare, explore GlobalHealth Education’s catalogue of online programs, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health.
Select a course and enquire to speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor who is ready to answer your questions and assist you with your enrolment.
