Guilford County Psychological Association

Introduction

The Guilford County Psychological Association (GCPA) is an organization of practicing, teaching, and consulting psychologists. As a group, we offer a broad spectrum of skills and expertise, and we work with people with very diverse backgrounds and needs. In our member listing we have attempted to include specific information about our individual specialties so that you have enough information to make referrals and coordinate treatment planning. Please don’t hesitate to contact any one of us for further information or to discuss whether a referral is appropriate. Most of us are very familiar with the broad range of providers in the county and could refer you to the appropriate professional or services if needed.

GCPA members hope to serve the community as well by being available to answer questions, provide information on various topics, and lead discussion groups. A number of us are available to speak or lead workshops on various topics of interest. If your group has need of a speaker, please contact one of the members of the Executive Committee and we will contact an appropriate GCPA member.

PSYCHOLOGY QUICK FACTS

WHAT IS A PSYCHOLOGIST?

A psychologist studies how we think, feel and behave from a scientific viewpoint and

applies this knowledge to help people understand, explain and change their behavior.

WHERE DO PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK?

Some psychologists work primarily as researchers and faculty at universities and at

governmental and non-governmental organizations. Others work primarily as

practitioners in hospitals, schools, clinics, correctional facilities, employee assistance

programs and private offices. Many psychologists are active in both research and

practice.

WHAT DO PSYCHOLOGISTS DO?

Psychologists engage in research, practice and teaching across a wide range of topics

having to do with how people think, feel and behave. Their work can involve

individuals, groups, families and as well as larger organizations in government and

industry. Some psychologists focus their research on animals rather than people. Here

are some of the kinds of topics towards which psychologists focus their research and

practice:

• mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias, etc.,

• neurological, genetic, psychological and social determinants of behavior,

• brain injury, degenerative brain diseases,

• the perception and management of pain,

• psychological factors and problems associated with physical conditions and disease such

as diabetes, heart disease, stroke),

• psychological factors and management of terminal illnesses such as cancer,

• cognitive functions such as learning, memory, problem solving, intellectual ability

and performance,

• developmental and behavioral abilities and problems across the lifespan,

• criminal behavior, crime prevention, services for victims and perpetrators of

criminal activity,

• addictions and substance use and abuse (e.g. smoking, alcohol, drugs),

• stress, anger and other aspects of lifestyle management,

• court consultations addressing the impact and role of psychological and cognitive

factors in accidents and injury, parental capacity, and competence to manage

one’s personal affairs,

• the application of psychological factors and issues to work such as motivation,

leadership, productivity, marketing, healthy workplaces, ergonomics,

• marital and family relationships and problems,

• psychological factors necessary to maintaining wellness and preventing disease,

• social and cultural behavior and attitudes, the relationship between the individual

and the many groups of which he or she is part (e.g. work, family, society),

• the role and impact of psychological factors on performance at work, recreation

and sport.

THE STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGY

• Psychology courses and majors are very popular among college undergraduates.

If you want some career direction or advice about what in psychology to study at the

graduate or undergraduate level, you should contact the psychology department at the

university where you are currently studying or where you are considering studying.

Not all university psychology departments offer the same courses or engage in the

same kinds of research – both are factors that might influence your choices of where

to study. Psychology departments usually have a faculty member or other staff

person who acts as an advisor to help students with course and program selection.

• At the graduate level, there are several specialties and subspecialties of

psychology. Common ones are Industrial-Organizational Psychology,

Experimental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology,

Neuropsychology, Forensic or Correctional Psychology, Developmental or Child

Psychology.

•The American Psychological Association publishes Graduate Study in Psychology

which lists and describes graduate programs in psychology throughout the US.

This publication can be ordered from the APA web site at

• It typically takes 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology,

2 years to complete a master’s degree and up to another 4 years to complete a

doctoral degree. Doctoral degrees in any of the professional areas of psychology

(e.g. clinical psychology, counseling psychology clinical neuropsychology) have

practicum and internship requirements in addition to coursework and research

requirements.

• Competition for admission to graduate programs in psychology can be stiff.

Doctoral programs in professional areas of psychology (e.g. clinical psychology,

counseling psychology, school psychology) accept approximately10% of applicants.

WHAT ARE TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS PSYCHOLOGISTS NEED TO

PRACTICE PSYCHOLOGY?

•To practice psychology in the US, one must be licensed by their state licensing board.

•In North Carolina, psychologists are licensed and regulated by the North Carolina Psychology Board.

•More information about the North Carolina Board can be found at The board’s web site has a range of information and can be searched to ensure that an individual is licensed to practice psychology in the state of North Carolina.

Psychology Quick Facts adapted with permission from website of the Canadian Psychological Association