The Importance of Continuing Education in Psychology

Cultivating knowledge is the only way psychologists can update themselves and provide their patients with quality therapeutic services.

Knowledge about human behavior is so vast and complex that it’s necessary for mental health professionals to constantly educate themselves in order to provide patients with the best support. Continuing their education in psychology is the best way for them to remain at the forefront of any new treatments. It also means they can continue cultivating, perfecting, and exercising their listening skills during therapeutic sessions.

Specializing in a specific field is indispensable in all areas of knowledge. However, when it comes to professionals who care for people’s physical and mental health, it’s even more necessary. Fortunately, nowadays there’s a wide range of courses and diplomas. They’re available both in physical and virtual modalities, which makes access to knowledge easier.

Why should you consider continuing education in psychology?

Both theoretical and practical knowledge is fundamental to strengthening the clinical resources of therapy. There are also great benefits to having the opportunity, on a daily basis, to learn more about the different branches of psychology. At the end of the day, it’s not only a professional decision but also a human and personal one.

After finishing a degree in psychology, the imaginary bubble of the university setting bursts, and new professionals face a reality in which they may find themselves working in a great number of positions. Although academies do their best to train quality psychologists, if you want to specialize, you need to continue your training.

Recent graduates or psychologists who want to continue their training need to choose the option that most appeals to them among the variety on offer. These range from diploma and online psychology courses to specializations, master’s degrees, and doctorates. When deciding between one alternative or another, you should base your decision on your desires and aspirations, as well as your time availability and budget.

The continuing education options in psychology

It’s always a good idea to take a complementary course of study. With the knowledge, techniques, experiences, and degrees offered by varying courses and specializations, you can apply for a wide range of jobs in different fields of mental health. These include the clinical field, child care, human resources, sexology, and therapy for diverse and vulnerable populations, among others.

1. Courses

Courses are one of the best options for professionals who don’t have much time. Or, perhaps they want to take advantage of one run by a recognized colleague near their office. They can be undertaken both virtually and in person and range from a single class to several weekly or monthly sessions. Best of all, some certified courses are free so there’s no economic barrier.

Among the most popular psychology courses are those that delve into concepts such as emotional intelligence, affective responsibility, communication skills, anxiety and depression control, ABA therapy (applied behavioral analysis), personal growth, body language, workplace bullying, and child psychology.

2. Specializations

Undergraduate programs in psychology provide students with comprehensive training. However, they need to continue to cultivate it if they want to have more specific knowledge about the area in which they’ve decided to work. Specializations offer more specific theoretical knowledge of the different branches of psychology and human behavior. They usually last for a year.

This type of continuing education is offered exclusively by accredited universities and institutions. Some of the most studied specializations are those related to educational psychology, clinical psychology, biological psychology, cognitive psychology, sports psychology, forensic psychology, and couple therapy.

3. Master’s degrees

With a duration of two years, a master’s degree offers the professional great job accreditation by providing theoretical training that’s oriented to the application of knowledge. As with a bachelor’s degree, a thesis must be submitted in order to graduate.

The most popular master’s degrees are in psychology, clinical psychology, organizational psychology, legal and forensic psychology, therapeutic psychopedagogy, business and organizational psychology, and clinical sexology.

4. Doctorates

Finally, after having completed courses, specializations, and master’s degrees, you could choose to pursue a doctorate. This is the highest academic training that any professional can receive at a university. They usually last between three and six years, depending on the subject. In order to obtain the degree, you must propose, research, and defend a specific thesis. It must make a significant contribution, in this case, to the psychological field.

Continuing education in psychology requires dedication and commitment

When venturing into a new educational challenge, it’s essential to make the decision to start dedicating the attention and time necessary for carrying out class sessions. As it’s an economic and energetic investment, it’s vital to take classes seriously. In addition, as far as possible, you should demonstrate impeccable attendance.

Finally, if you’re a professional in psychology and are interested in expanding your knowledge or specializing in a particular branch, it’s time to start looking for universities, academies, or certified portals where you can study. Make sure you look carefully at all the existing educational options available and choose the right option wisely.