• Only Louisiana and New Mexico allow psychologists to prescribe medication.medicine image by Pali A from Fotolia.com
  
  Psychologists study the human mind and analyze the connection between behaviors and mental processes. Although psychologists focus their attention on the individual, their findings can have major implications for entire communities, organizations and societies in general. More than one-third of psychologists are self-employed, providing services in their own offices or working as consultants for organizations and companies, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The duties and responsibilities of psychologists vary greatly depending on their work environment and their specialty.
  
  

Research

• Psychologists--whether they work for educational institutions, the government or health-care facilities--often conduct research. They use the scientific method to study and analyze the human mind and behavior. Like other scientists, they develop hypotheses about some aspect of the human condition and then use research strategies to prove or disprove their theories. They may conduct experiments or simply observe human activities. Psychologists also interview individuals and use surveys or questionnaires to collect data. Psychologists that work for colleges and universities may have to regularly complete and publish research studies as a requirement for their continued employment.
  
  

Therapy and Treatment

• Most psychologists are classified as clinical psychologists. They work in private offices or public health facilities to provide evaluations and therapy for individuals with mental health conditions, such as depression. Clinical psychologists can specialize in a number of areas, which dictates who they treat and what methods they use. For example, geropsychologists work with the elderly. Although they are not permitted to prescribe medication in most states, psychologists may work with psychiatrists to determine medical treatment plans. Counseling psychologists offer just that: counseling for individuals. In some cases, this may lead them to run group counseling sessions if doing so would be beneficial for a client's condition. Psychologists may request that spouses or relatives participate in counseling, for example. They also may lead group sessions for drug rehabilitation centers.
  
  

Working in Schools

• School psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They may be hired to serve more than one school within a school district. These psychologists work with students with learning disorders or behavior issues. They work with both parents and teachers to determine how to help children overcome these obstacles. In addition, school psychologists can be involved in determining the best educational methods for academically gifted students.
  
  

Working in Businesses

• Psychologists can also work as consultants for organizations and companies. They are often contracted to perform duties in fields such as finance and marketing. These psychologists, known as industrial-organizational psychologists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, analyze business or workplace issues. They use psychological methods to propose improvements or plans of action within an organization. Industrial-organizational psychologists are often charged with finding ways to increase productivity, strengthen employee connections and interviewing potential hires.