In recent years, you may have seen Instagram posts or heard from friends about how closely physical and mental health are tied. Although we don’t always treat these two types of health the same, it’s hard to deny how one affects the other. Stress affects sleep; trauma to the body can cause changes in the mind, and how we feel on the inside often reflects how we look on the outside.

But we don’t have all the answers about the link between physical and mental health. Only a few decades ago, psychologists started to look at how mental health impacts physical health (and vice versa.) Health psychology is a relatively new field of study, but it’s already making a difference in our decisions regarding food, sleep, and other healthy habits.

If the links between psychology and physical health interest you, you may want to pursue a career in health psychology!

What does a Health Psychologist Do?Job RequirementsSalary (How Much Does a Health Psychologist Make?)Schools for Health Psychology DegreesCompanies That Hire Health PsychologistsInterviews with a Health PsychologistFamous Health PsychologistsHealth Psychology Examples

What does a Health Psychologist Do?

Job Requirements

Salary (How Much Does a Health Psychologist Make?)

Schools for Health Psychology Degrees

Companies That Hire Health Psychologists

Interviews with a Health Psychologist

Famous Health Psychologists

Health Psychology Examples

A health psychologist studies the decisions and thought processes related to health, from why we make certain healthy decisions to how our mind affects our physical health. Their goals include improving mental and physical health, from identifying healthy habits to creating a better healthcare system.

Health psychologists aren’t just found in research labs or teaching college courses. They doclinical work, consult with businesses, and advocate for better public policies to improve human engagement with healthy decisions. The emergence and growth of health psychology as a distinct field can be traced back to several factors. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing understanding of the intricate relationship between mental and physical health. As medical science advanced, it became evident that psychological factors can play a significant role in the onset, progression, and outcome of many illnesses

Concurrently, the increasing burden of chronic illnesses, many of which have behavioral components (e.g., diabetes and heart diseases), highlighted the need for a psychological approach to prevention, treatment, and management. Additionally, the rise in patient-centered care models and the emphasis on holistic treatment strategies necessitated the inclusion of psychological perspectives in healthcare. Recognizing these shifts, the field of psychology began to delve deeper into the links between the mind, behavior, and physical well-being, giving rise to health psychology.

Thus, while health psychology is a relatively newer branch, its significance has grown rapidly. Healthcare facilities are increasingly acknowledging the value of health psychologists and considering adding more professionals to their teams to provide comprehensive care to patients.

Health psychology is a specialized branch with requirements comparable tosports psychologists, forensic psychologists, or clinical psychologists. While a bachelor’s degree lays the groundwork for a career in health psychology, a master’s degree with a counseling focus might suffice for certain roles. However, for many positions, especially those in research or public policy, obtaining a doctorate (PsyD or Ph.D.) from an accredited university is often necessary. Along your educational journey, you should opt for a program that specializes in health psychology.

When you have studied a niche field that makes such a serious impact on people and the entire world, you’re going to be in demand. Health psychologists can make six figures earlier in their careers. Salaries vary based on your employer, how long you have been working in your field, and where in the country you are located. These resources give you a pretty good idea of what you can expect to make as a health psychologist in the United States:

Health Psychologist Reported SalaryLowAverageHighPayscale.com$51,000$81,627$117,000ZipRecruiter$21,500$81,738$137,000Salary.com$60,471$80,435$100,552Bureau of Labor Statistics​$87,450​

Health Psychologist Reported Salary

Low

Average

High

Payscale.com

$51,000

$81,627

$117,000

ZipRecruiter

$21,500

$81,738

$137,000

Salary.com

$60,471

$80,435

$100,552

Bureau of Labor Statistics

​

$87,450

To pursue a career as a health psychologist, it’s essential to receive specialized education and training. Numerous institutions offer graduate programs in health psychology, and while the best fit will depend on individual preferences and career aspirations, here are some prominent schools known for their contributions to the field:

When considering these or any other institutions, you must visit campuses, speak with faculty and current students, and assess the program’s curriculum and resources to determine the best fit for your educational and career goals.

Where do health psychologists work? Well, it’s no secret that health psychologists work at healthcare facilities, clinics, and hospitals. Health psychologists may also work with insurance companies to elevate healthcare and provide the best coverage. But you may also find yourself looking at openings for health psychologists in:

What do health psychologists do every day? Watch this video and find out!

There are plenty of interviews with health psychologists online that you can watch or read to grasp what this career involves. Dr. Andrew Block talks about his journey online and how he became a health psychologist.Dr. Brian Luke Seawardtalks about health, emotions, stress, and how you can elevate your mental health. There are so many ways to help people practice healthy habits through health psychology!

Interested in what a health psychologist does from a patient’s perspective? A Reddit user responded to a post titled “What to expect with health psychologist?” with their experiences:

“I saw a rehabilitation psychologist at the University of Michigan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic for an 8-week course of ‘adjustment counseling.’ The focus was primarily on coping skills—chronic pain/neurological symptoms and chronic fatigue. It was heavily CBT-based.

There was no delving into personal issues or history beyond how my medical status impacted me. I found this interesting and useful. I walked away with “homework” (in the form of handouts) every week, which helped reinforce various relaxation and fatigue management techniques. We would discuss how utilizing and practicing these techniques at home went each visit.

Where many fields of study in psychology have been around for over 100 years, health psychology is relatively new.William Schofieldis one of the first figures in health psychology. His 1969 report, The Role of Psychology in the Delivery of Health Services, made a point about how psychology focuses on mental health but rarely considers the nuances of how the mind affects physical health.

Eight years later,Joseph Matarazzoestablished a division of the American Psychological Association devoted to health psychology. He is credited with doing much of the early work in the field.

Today, many figures in personality and positive psychology, such asEdward F. DienerandMartin Seligman, study the ideas of well-being. Well-being is often defined as both physical and mental health.

Health psychologists may find that their jobs and focus areas change as the field develops. Day-to-day, you might be doing different things, including:

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Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Health Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/health-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Health Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/health-psychologist/.Copy

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Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Health Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/health-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Health Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/health-psychologist/.Copy

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