Student Resources Careers The Working Conditions of Psychologists By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry Facebook Twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 23, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print Markus Haefke / Getty Images If you've ever considered becoming a psychologist, then you've probably wondered a little bit about what the working conditions might be like. As with many other professions, a psychologist's specialty area and workplace are the major determinants of the working conditions. For example, a forensic psychologist might spend their day working in courthouses, police stations, or criminal detention centers. A clinical psychologist, on the other hand, might spend their day working in a hospital or other mental health setting. Employment Settings Psychologists, especially clinical and counseling psychologists, often work in private practice. This means that they have their own offices and are able to establish their own work schedule. It is important to note that many psychologists who run their own businesses frequently work evening and weekend hours in order to accommodate the schedules of their clients. The U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that in 2018, nearly one-third of all psychologists were self-employed. Some psychologists work shift schedules, including those employed in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement centers, and other healthcare facilities. This often involves working night shifts and weekends. Psychologists employed in academic settings, government, or business settings generally have a more predictable schedule that follows normal daytime hours. However, those teaching at the university level may also have to teach courses during evenings or weekends. Psychologists employed by colleges and universities often spend time teaching classes and conducting research, but they may also be required to perform administrative duties. It is also not uncommon for psychologists to work in more than one setting. A clinical psychologist might see clients at a private practice or mental health clinic and also teach courses at a local university. An industrial-organizational psychologist may spend time observing behavior in the workplace and conducting research in an experimental lab. Collaborations With Other Professionals A psychologist's working conditions can also depend on whether or not the individuals work in a research-oriented career or a more applied profession. Those who conduct research may spend time interacting with study participants, but a great deal of time will also be spent designing studies, analyzing results, and preparing research reports. Those who work in more applied professions will likely spend more one-on-one time with clients. Working conditions can be stressful at times, particularly when dealing with clients who are emotional, angry, or noncommunicative. Finding ways to deal with such stress and combat job burnout can be important for many professionals. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, psychologists today often work in collaboration with other professionals. They may consult with other psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, physical therapists, and other professions as part of a mental health treatment team. The handbook also states that psychologists frequently deal with work pressures including schedules, deadlines, and overtime. Difficult clients, emotionally charged situations, and other stressful situations are also common. 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Hamp A, Stamm K, Lin L, Christidis P. 2015 APA Survey of Psychology Health Service Providers. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association; 2016. McCormack HM, MacIntyre TE, O'Shea D, Herring MP, Campbell MJ. The prevalence and cause(s) of burnout among applied psychologists: A systematic review. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1897. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01897 By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit