• Make a Difference: Help people overcome challenges like anxiety, depression, and addiction, as well as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or PTSD. 

• Work with All Ages: Support children, teens, adults, and seniors.

• Learn Constantly: Psychology is always evolving, and each patient/client is unique, so there's always something new to discover.

• Flexible Work Settings: Work in schools, hospitals, clinics, or private practice.

• Strong Job Outlook: Mental health professionals are in high demand across Ohio.

Psychology offers a meaningful and rewarding career where you can help others while continuing to grow professionally.

With a bachelor's degree  or higher:

• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants work with adults who care for young children, such as  parents,  teachers and child care workers. They help adults understand how to support children’s emotions, behavior, and development. If a child is having a hard time with big feelings or changes, the consultant provides tools and suggestions to help. They don’t usually work one-on-one with children, but they help create safe, caring places for kids to grow. Coursework in early childhood is required for this position.  [Learn more about Early Childhood Mental Health careers →]

• Policy Advocate/ Analyst

A Policy Advocate/Analyst works to change laws or rules to make mental health care better for everyone. They study problems, suggest solutions, and speak up to leaders and lawmakers. Their work helps improve services and support for people across Ohio.  [Learn more about careers in Advocacy →]

• Research Assistant

Research assistants help collect and organize information for studies about mental health and behavior. They might collect data, organize information, and support studies led by other professionals. They may also conduct interviews, enter data into computers, or help run surveys. Their work helps find better ways to treat and support people in need. [Learn more about Research careers→]

• Prevention Professional

Prevention is about stopping problems like drug use or mental health struggles before they start. Prevention professionals often work in schools, before-and-after school programs, or community social service agencies. In Ohio, preventionists are trained to work collaboratively to advance strategic frameworks built on evidence-based programming and data. [Learn more about Prevention Careers ->]

With a doctoral degree  

• Clinical Psychologist (Psy.D.)

Clinical psychologists frequently conduct specialized tests to diagnose and treat mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma. They talk with people to understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and use therapy to help them feel better. They may work in hospitals, clinics, courts, or private offices and often work as part of a behavioral health team.

• School Psychologist (Ed.S.)

School psychologists help students with emotional, social, and learning problems. They work with teachers, caregivers, and school staff to create plans that support student success. They are often involved in assessing students for learning disabilities or other mental health diagnoses and are trained to deliver specialized tests to better understand a student’s abilities and needs. School psychologists are also trained to offer counseling and help schools create safe and supportive environments for all students.

• Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)

Chief Clinical Officers (CCOs) in behavioral health are top leaders who ensure that people receive high-quality mental health and addiction care. In Ohio, CCOs can work in hospitals, clinics, or community programs. They oversee the provision of services,ensuring they meet state laws and professional standards. They also lead teams of therapists, doctors, and support staff, helping create treatment plans, guide staff training, and make sure patients are treated with respect and safety. CCOs often collaborate with other leaders to develop new programs, manage budgets, and enhance services.  [Learn more about careers in Clinical Supervision →]

• Client’s Rights Officer

A Client’s Rights Officer makes sure people receiving mental health or addiction services are treated fairly and with respect. They help protect client rights, listen to complaints, and work to solve problems. They stand up for clients when there are concerns about treatment or ethical standards.  [Learn more about careers in Advocacy →]

• Researcher (Ph.D, or Psy.D)

Researchers help us better understand mental health, addiction, and ways to improve care. They design and lead studies that answer big questions—like what treatments work best or how to reach people in need. They write and publish reports and share their findings to help improve services. [Learn more about Research careers→]

• Agency Director 

An Agency Director provides the leadership and vision for the organization. They enforce best practices, accreditation, and ethical standards in all aspects of the work— from hiring staff and managing budgets to ensuring clients receive the care they need. They oversee clinical services, office operations, and work with local mental health and recovery boards to advance the mission of the agency to serve the community in the best way possible. [Learn more about Management careers→]

Other job titles you may see:

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

• Sports Psychologist

• Counseling Psychologist

• Forensic Psychologist

A psychology degree opens doors to various specialized careers, each with unique opportunities to help others.

• Establish Interpersonal Relationships: Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintain them over time.

• Assess Mental Health: Use interviews and tests to understand a person's emotional and behavioral health.

• Provide Therapy: Offer individual or group counseling to help people manage their mental health.

• Develop Treatment Plans: Create strategies to help clients reach their goals.

• Collaborate with Other Professionals: Work with doctors, teachers, counselors, and social workers to support clients.

• Conduct Research: Study human behavior to improve mental health treatments.

Psychologists play a key role in helping individuals understand and improve their mental well-being.

[Learn more about Therapy careers →]

• Hospitals and Health Clinics

• Schools and Educational Programs

• Private Practices

• Community Mental Health Centers

• Research Institutions and Universities

• Government Agencies

• Correctional Facilities and Juvenile Centers

• Business and Industry (Organizational Psychology)

• Military and Veterans Services

• Telehealth Services

Psychologists work in diverse settings, allowing for a variety of career paths.

• Children and Teens: Help young people cope with emotional struggles, behavior issues, learning challenges, bullying, or trauma in school and home settings.

• Adults: Support individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, or major life changes.

• Older Adults: Assist with memory loss, loneliness, life transitions, and emotional well-being as people age.

• Families: Work with parents, caregivers, and children to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and resolve conflicts at home.

• Couples: Help partners improve trust, navigate conflict, and build stronger, healthier relationships.

• People with Disabilities: Provide assessments and therapy for individuals with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities.

• Veterans and Military Families: Offer support for PTSD, trauma recovery, reintegration, and mental health challenges related to military life.

• Underserved and At-Risk Populations: Help people in communities facing poverty, violence, addiction, or limited access to mental health care.

• Communities and Groups: Work with schools, organizations, and neighborhoods to address public health concerns like suicide prevention, disaster recovery, or mental health education.

Psychologists serve a wide range of individuals, making a positive impact across all stages of life.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology will open the door to many non-licensed positions. However, a doctoral degree is required to be a licensed psychologist.

To become a licensed psychologist in Ohio:

• Bachelor’s degree: Start with a 4-year undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field. (Please note that many Psy.D. programs will only recruit students with an undergraduate degree in psychology).

• Doctoral degree: Earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology from an accredited program.

• Supervised experience: Complete at least 3,600 hours of supervised professional experience.

Education and training are essential steps toward a fulfilling career in psychology.

In Ohio, psychologists must be licensed by the Ohio Board of Psychology. This involves meeting educational requirements, completing supervised experience, passing required exams (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and an oral exam), and obtaining appropriate ongoing continuing education to renew and maintain licensure. 

Psychologists have a special option to join PSYPACT, an agreement between states that lets approved psychologists work in other participating states without getting a new license. They use an e-Passport, which makes it easier to provide services across state lines.

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.