Psychology: branches and career opportunities

Psychology has multiple professional opportunities, which makes it one of the most sought-after careers at present. In addition to the fact that it is inserted as economically valuable knowledge in companies, this means that organisations are looking for a professional in this area to help and improve each of the workers, helping them to overcome problems or conditions that do not allow them to perform within the organisation.

For this reason, we are going to mention the main branches of psychology, which are also in great demand.

Health psychology

This branch is in charge of the study and research of different psychological processes and pathologies that can negatively affect human beings. It focuses on assessing illness and each of the processes involved in its occurrence.

Health psychology is responsible for assessing each of the emotional factors that are related to behaviour, and cognitive factors, in such a way that a global vision can be obtained to treat illnesses that are related to the dysfunction of any of them.

The professionals in this area are those who treat problems of depression, eating changes, behavioural problems, etc.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is a discipline that has developed considerably in recent years, due to the fact that the brain is a complex machine, and its knowledge is vital to understand personal dynamics.

The key to the discipline is based on knowing and understanding the relationship that exists between psychology and neurology, in this way, it becomes much better and easier to understand how the human being works from his head and provide appropriate solutions.

The truth is that psychology is in vogue because of the possibilities it offers in the field of work, because every day something new is experimented and investigated.

Child and adolescent psychology

Child and adolescent psychology is a science that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mental health problems that arise in these phases of development, using psychological assessment and intervention with the aim of facilitating the psychological development of the child or adolescent, allowing for emotional and social adjustment throughout their developmental stage.

For this, the family and school context is taken into account, providing support not only to children but also to parents and teachers.

Professionals in this field specialise in the treatment of:

• Stress, anxiety, phobias and somatisation.
• Gillies de la Tourette Syndrome.
• Motor, verbal and behavioural tics.
• Insecurity, low self-esteem, grief.
• Control problems, behavioural alterations.
• Learning problems, poor school performance and intellectual disability.
• Hyperactivity.
• Bullying.
• Sleepwalking, sleep disorders.
• Eating disorders, etc.

Geriatric psychology

This type of psychology deals with the improvement of the physical and psychological well-being of the elderly, a group that needs and requires the attention and intervention of qualified professionals. It is no secret that when working life comes to an end, many people believe that life is over, but this is not the case. It is a new beginning, where psychological development is fundamental to avoid problems and to face every challenge and change.

Adults often need help because they feel lonely, and the best thing to do is to go to a geriatric psychologist for help and to heal each of the voids that the person is experiencing. If the problems are not treated in time, they can generate serious depressions.

Work and organisational psychology

Also known as industrial or business psychology, this is a professional who applies the principles of psychology in the organisational environment. And has studied mental processes and human behaviour in individual and group settings, putting his or her training into practice in order to solve problems in the workplace.

The profession in general encompasses the study, coordination, diagnosis, intervention and management of the behaviour of human beings in the workplace. Which is why it plays an important role in the area of human resources, marketing and health and safety in the workplace.