Health Psychology The bio-psycho-social approach to health!

Who is a health psychologist: Someone who works to understand how various factors affect health:Someone who works to understand how various factors affect health: –Biological –Behavioral –Social Concerned with psychological influences on health and recoveryConcerned with psychological influences on health and recovery

What do they do? They work in research and medical settingsThey work in research and medical settings They conduct research and provide clinical servicesThey conduct research and provide clinical services They often focus on prevention through research and clinical interventionsThey often focus on prevention through research and clinical interventions Half do teaching and research; half have clinical rolesHalf do teaching and research; half have clinical roles

What are some sample work settings? Primary health care programsPrimary health care programs Inpatient medical unitsInpatient medical units Pain management centersPain management centers Smoking clinicsSmoking clinics Headache management centersHeadache management centers Colleges and UniversitiesColleges and Universities

What are some typical tasks they perform? They do lots of assessment and then develop interventionsThey do lots of assessment and then develop interventions –Various types of assessments (such as Cognitive/behavioral and psychophysiological) –Inteventions planned (e.g. stress management; relaxation therapy) –Teach people to cope better –Research (e.g. effect of lifestyle changes on HIV)

What are career opportunities like? Good, especially if the person is:Good, especially if the person is: –A good writer –Has “grantsmanship” –Has the right degrees: Ph.D. or Psy.D.Ph.D. or Psy.D. Licenses (licensed like clinical/counseling psychogists and board certified)Licenses (licensed like clinical/counseling psychogists and board certified)

Bachelors Level Jobs Health Educator (a certification is available)Health Educator (a certification is available) Recreational TherapistRecreational Therapist –Settings such as hospitals, community programs –Populations include the disabled, elderly – focus on developing interests Salary approx. $35,000Salary approx. $35,000

Occupational Therapy Asst. Bachelors Degree + a certificate in Occupational TherapyBachelors Degree + a certificate in Occupational Therapy Assist Occupational Therapists in providing servicesAssist Occupational Therapists in providing services Help provide services necessary to help people re-enter workforce AND/OR improve life and independenceHelp provide services necessary to help people re-enter workforce AND/OR improve life and independence Average Salary $42,000Average Salary $42,000

Physical Therapy Asst. This career is similar to Occupational Therapy Asst.This career is similar to Occupational Therapy Asst. Assists physical therapist with providing treatments for pain, injury, disabilityAssists physical therapist with providing treatments for pain, injury, disability A license may be requiredA license may be required Very competitive salaries of approximately $41,000Very competitive salaries of approximately $41,000

Health Educator A focus on helping to prevent illnesses and increase healthy lifestyle choicesA focus on helping to prevent illnesses and increase healthy lifestyle choices Focuses on cultural factorsFocuses on cultural factors Designs programs and interventionsDesigns programs and interventions Salary low $40,000 rangeSalary low $40,000 range

Masters Level Primarily via Masters Degrees in Counseling and Social WorkPrimarily via Masters Degrees in Counseling and Social Work Rehabilitation Counseling, Health Counseling and Social WorkRehabilitation Counseling, Health Counseling and Social Work

Health Psychologist Ph.D. levelPh.D. level See Dr. Martin’s presentationSee Dr. Martin’s presentation Researches and applies knowledge to help people overcomeResearches and applies knowledge to help people overcome –Perceived Barriers –Consequences (short vs long term) –Social Norms

What courses should I take now to prepare? Social PsychologySocial Psychology Learning & BehaviorLearning & Behavior AbnormalAbnormal PhysiologicalPhysiological Health PsychologyHealth Psychology Anatomy & PhysiologyAnatomy & Physiology Community PsychologyCommunity Psychology