Archive - Psychologists (NOC 4151)

Published: 2 October 2014
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If you are interested in working as a Psychologist in Canada, you will be pleased to know that the job outlook for your occupation in Canada is extremely positive.

You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

psychologist

Important statistics for this occupation:

  • In recent years, employment in this field has increased significantly, a trend primarily attributable to the public's much greater sensitivity to social needs.
  • Openings will arise mainly from employment increase and from the need to replace psychologists who will be retiring as the proportion of psychologists aged 55 and over in 2006 was clearly higher than that of all occupations (26% compared with 15%, according to census data).
  • These openings are only accessible to people who meet the requirements of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec, which has teamed up with the University of Sherbrooke to implement a retraining program for candidates who earned their degrees abroad, making this occupation more accessible to newcomers.
  • The median yearly income for a Psychologist is $75,000 in Canada, with high incomes reported in the range of $210,000.

Duties for Psychologists

Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy, conduct research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of psychological, physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning. Psychologists work in private practice or in clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, businesses, schools and universities, and in government and private research agencies. Psychologists may specialize in applied psychology or experimental research. Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.

Description of Main Duties

Psychologists perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
  • Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
  • Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment, and offer mediation services
  • Use standard psychological tests for assessment
  • Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
  • Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, language development, memory and perception to develop treatment programs
  • Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
  • Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
  • Provide consultation services to government and other organizations.

Example job titles for Psychologists:

  • Clinical psychologist
  • Experimental psychologist
  • Psychological associate
  • Psychologist
  • Research psychologist

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