Health psychologist
Health psychology uses knowledge of psychology and health to promote general well-being. They also understanding the impact on physical illness.
Working life
Health psychologists are specially trained to help people deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness as well as supporting people who are chronically ill.
They promote healthier lifestyles and try to find ways to encourage people to improve their health. For example, they may help people to lose weight or stop smoking. Health psychologists also use their skills to try to improve the healthcare system. For example, they may advise doctors about better ways to communicate with their patients.
You’ll be part of a rapidly evolving profession that uses the practice and application of psychology to study behaviour relevant to health, illness and healthcare.
Working directly with individuals or small groups, your work will be far-reaching and may involve:
- identifying behaviours that may damage a person's health eg smoking, drug abuse, poor diet and how psychological theories and interventions can support prevention and health related behaviour change
- encouraging behaviours such as exercise, a healthy diet, oral hygiene, health checks/self-examination and attending preventative medical screenings
- investigating cognitive behaviour to mediate and determine health and illness behaviours. A range of models and frameworks are used, not only to explain and predict behaviour, but also for developing interventions eg changing health beliefs, increasing internal control or self belief
- investigating the nature and effects of communication between health professionals and patients including interventions to improve communication
- looking at the psychological impact of illness on individuals, families and carers
You’ll also use psychological interventions to help self-management of illness and coping with pain or illness. You may also provide information and advice to a range of organisations involved in public health such as the NHS and local authorities.
Who will I work with?
Health psychologists work with individuals (including children, adults and older adults) or groups or work indirectly through the development of remote approaches such as media or online interventions.
They may work as part of multi-professional teams including doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
Where will I work?
Health psychologists work across a range of health care and other providers. Settings can vary from large scale public health programmes to individual or small group consultations.
Health psychologists work in a number of settings, including
- hospitals
- community settings
- private healthcare providers
- academic organisations
Many health psychologists also work in academia, teaching and researching in their area of expertise.
Want to learn more?
- Find information on the entry requirements for health psychology.
- Find information on training and development in health psychology.