What skills does a health psychologist need?

A health psychologist needs 80 essential skills including clinical reports, counselling methods, psychological diagnostics, health care occupation-specific ethics, consultation. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace health psychologist jobs?

The AI disruption score for health psychologist is 11/100 (very low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2634

health psychologist

Health psychologists deal with the various aspects of health related behaviour of individuals and groups, by helping individuals or groups prevent illness and promote healthy behaviours by also providing counseling services. They perform tasks for the development of health promotion activities and projects on the basis of psychological science, research findings, theories, methods and techniques. They also engage in research about health related issues to influence public policy on health care issues.

About health psychologist

As a health psychologist, you will apply psychological science to understand and improve health-related behaviors and outcomes for individuals and groups. Your work combines clinical practice with research and public health advocacy, helping people prevent illness, manage chronic conditions, and adopt healthier lifestyles. You might work with a cardiac patient to reduce their stress and modify risk factors, counsel someone struggling with obesity or addiction, or conduct research on health behaviors to inform policy. Your unique role bridges psychology and medicine, making you instrumental in promoting wellness and preventing disease at both individual and population levels.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a health psychologist.

Clinical Assessment and Diagnostics

Conduct psychological diagnostics and assessments of health-related conditions
Perform evaluations of psychological performance and mental health status
Prepare detailed clinical reports and documentation

Psychological Counselling and Therapy

Deliver evidence-based psychological counselling methods tailored to individual needs
Apply psychological interventions to address health-related behavioral issues
Provide therapeutic support for emotional and psychological health concerns

Health Promotion and Prevention

Develop and deliver health promotion activities and projects based on psychological research
Help individuals prevent illness and adopt healthy behaviors
Design interventions to modify risk factors and promote lifestyle change

Crisis Intervention and Emergency Response

Apply crisis intervention techniques in emergency psychological situations
Provide emergency psychological support and stabilization
Coordinate with medical and mental health teams in acute situations

Research and Evidence Development

Conduct research on health-related behaviors and psychological outcomes
Design and execute research studies using appropriate methodologies
Publish findings and contribute to scientific literature in health psychology

Professional Practice and Consultation

Maintain professional ethical standards and expertise in health psychology
Provide consultation to healthcare teams and other professionals
Stay current with developments in neurology and psychopharmacology relevant to practice

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (80)

clinical reportsclinical reportsThe methods, assessment practices, credentials and opinions gathering procedures necessary for writing clinical reports.counselling methodscounselling methodsCounselling techniques used in different settings and with various groups and individuals, especially concerning methods of supervision and mediation in the counselling process.psychological diagnosticspsychological diagnosticsThe psychological diagnostics strategies, methods and techniques concerning health-related experiences and behaviours as well as mental disorders.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patie...consultationconsultationThe theories, methods and concepts related to consultation and communication with clients.psychological counselling methodspsychological counselling methodsThe various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.neurologyneurologyNeurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.psychopharmacologypsychopharmacologyThe awareness of various effects that medicines have on the patient or client's behaviour, mood and thinking.research designresearch designThe set of methods and techniques of research that are used to conduct a study. It includes practical steps in research such as purpose statement, data collection, methodology, and data analysis.emergency psychologyemergency psychologyThe methods used for coping with trauma or disasters.health psychologyhealth psychologyThe development, implementations and evaluation of health psychological concepts.crisis interventioncrisis interventionCoping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.therapy in health caretherapy in health careThe principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.evaluation of psychological performanceevaluation of psychological performanceThe characteristics of the methods used to assess psychological parameters.conditions for professional practice of health psychologyconditions for professional practice of health psychologyThe institutional, legal and psychosocial conditions for professional practice of health psychology with the aim to apply them in the exercise of the psychological profession in health care.psychological interventionspsychological interventionsThe characteristics of the methods and procedures meant to instigate change in human behaviour.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.psychopathologypsychopathologyThe criteria of psychiatric diagnoses, the use of the disease classification system, and the theories of psychopathology. The indicators of functional and organic disorders and the types of psychophar...psychological treatment measurespsychological treatment measuresThe psychological treatment measures for persons of all ages and groups, with the aim of improving treatment skills and the provisions of trans-cultural and gender aspects.psychological conceptspsychological conceptsThe psychological concepts of health protection and health promotion.psychological healthcare servicespsychological healthcare servicesThe characteristics of the psychological healthcare services in the inpatient and outpatient sector.psychological measures in working with other health care professionalspsychological measures in working with other health care professionalsThe various psychological measures considering medical aspects in terms of the collaboration with other health care professionals.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.psychiatrypsychiatryPsychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.prescribe psychotherapeutic treatmentprescribe psychotherapeutic treatmentPrescribe, direct, and administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat disorders of a mental, emotional, or behavioural nature.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...encourage healthy behavioursencourage healthy behavioursEncourage the adoption of healthy behaviours such as exercise, a healthy diet, oral hygiene, health checks and preventative medical screenings.inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.employ cognitive behaviour treatment techniquesemploy cognitive behaviour treatment techniquesEmploy cognitive behavioural treatment techniques for those whose treatment involves cognitive re-training, addressing dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviours and cognitive processes and conten...use clinical assessment techniquesuse clinical assessment techniquesUse clinical reasoning techniques and clinical judgement when applying a range of appropriate assessment techniques, such as mental status assessment, diagnosis, dynamic formulation, and potential tre...advise policy makers in healthcareadvise policy makers in healthcarePresent research to policy makers, health care providers, and educators to encourage improvements in public health.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.provide health psychological adviceprovide health psychological adviceProvide health psychological expert opinions, reports and advice in regard to health related risk behaviour and its causes.evaluate psychological health measuresevaluate psychological health measuresEvaluate the provided psychological health measures in order to assess their impact and their outcomes.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...analyse processes influencing health care deliveryanalyse processes influencing health care deliveryInvestigate the communication between healthcare practitioners and patients, observing psychological interventions to improve communication, adherence, preparation for stressful medical procedures, an...apply health psychological measuresapply health psychological measuresApply health psychological measures on persons of all ages and groups regarding health behavior, particularly with regard to health related risk behaviors such as diet, exercise, smoking, including ad...test for emotional patternstest for emotional patternsDiscern patterns in the emotions of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of these emotions.analyse large-scale data in healthcareanalyse large-scale data in healthcareCarry out large-scale data gathering such as questionnaire surveys, and analyse the obtained data.formulate a case conceptualisation model for therapyformulate a case conceptualisation model for therapyCompose an individualised treatment plan in collaboration with the individual, striving to match his or her needs, situation, and treatment goals to maximise the probability of therapeutic gain and co...respond to healthcare users' extreme emotionsrespond to healthcare users' extreme emotionsReact accordingly when a healthcare user becomes hyper-manic, panicky, extremely distressed, agressive, violent, or suicidal, following appropriate training if working in contexts where patients go th...manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.help healthcare users develop social perceptivenesshelp healthcare users develop social perceptivenessProvide strategies and support to healthcare users with social difficulties. Help them understanding others` verbal and non-verbal behaviour and actions. Support them in developing better self-confide...work with patterns of psychological behaviourwork with patterns of psychological behaviourWork with the patterns of a patient or client's psychological behaviour, which may be outside of their conscious awareness, such as non-verbal and pre-verbal patterns, clinical processes of defence me...analyse psychological aspects of illnessanalyse psychological aspects of illnessAnalyse the psychological impact of illness on individuals, close ones, and caregivers and use psychological interventions to promote self-management, helping patients cope with pain or illness, impro...provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.conduct psychological assessementconduct psychological assessementAssess patient`s behaviour and needs via observation and tailored interviews, administering and interpreting psychometric and idiosyncratic assessments.test for behavioural patternstest for behavioural patternsDiscern patterns in the behaviour of individuals by using various tests in order to understand the causes of their behaviour.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.manage health promotion activitiesmanage health promotion activitiesPlan, implement and evaluate health promotion activities and projects in different settings such as kindergarten and school, workplace and business, social living environment and primary health care, ...advise on mental healthadvise on mental healthAdvise persons of all ages and groups in terms of the health-promoting aspects of individual behaviour and institutions with regard to the personal, social and structural factors on physical and menta...interpret psychological testsinterpret psychological testsInterpret psychological tests in order to obtain information on patients' intelligence, achievements, interests, and personality.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...provide psychological health assessment strategiesprovide psychological health assessment strategiesProvide strategies, methods and techniques of psychological health assessment in specific areas of activity such as of pain, illness and stress management.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.counsel clientscounsel clientsAssist and guide clients to overcome their personal, social, or psychological issues.perform therapy sessionsperform therapy sessionsWork in sessions with individuals or groups to deliver therapy in a controlled environment.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...support patients to understand their conditionssupport patients to understand their conditionsFacilitate the process of self-discovery for the healthcare user, helping them to learn about their condition and become more aware of and in control of moods, feelings, thoughts, behaviour, and their...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.provide health psychological diagnosisprovide health psychological diagnosisAnalyse persons and groups of persons using health psychological methods in relation to the various aspects of health behaviour and its causes.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.provide health psychological treatment adviceprovide health psychological treatment adviceProvide treatment advice to persons and groups of persons of all ages in relation to the various aspects of mental health related risk behaviours such as diet, exercise, substance abuse, stress manage...provide health psychological conceptsprovide health psychological conceptsDevelop, implement and evaluate health psychological concepts.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...use techniques to increase patients' motivationuse techniques to increase patients' motivationEncourage the patient`s motivation to change and promote the belief that therapy can help, using techniques and treatment engagement procedures for this purpose.assess healthcare users' risk for harmassess healthcare users' risk for harmEvaluate if healthcare users might potentially be a threat themselves or others, intervening to minimise the risk and implement prevention methods.provide health counsellingprovide health counsellingProvide health counselling, training and coaching to people of all ages, groups and organisations.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.analyse health damaging behavioursanalyse health damaging behavioursExamine behaviours that may be damaging to an individual's health, such as smoking, drug abuse, or poor diet. Use psychological theories and interventions for primary prevention and health related beh...accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.promote psycho-social educationpromote psycho-social educationExplain mental health issues in simple and understandable ways, helping de-pathologise and de-stigmatise common mental health stereotypes and condemning prejudicial or discriminatory behaviours, syste...provide health psychological analysisprovide health psychological analysisAdvise organizations and institutions in regard to health conditions, measures of health promotion, health care and rehabilitation by providing them with health psychological analysis.

Optional (12)

sexual disorderssexual disordersThe range of sexual disorders such as sexual aversion disorder, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and vaginismus and the effects of medication on sexual function.psychosomaticspsychosomaticsInterdisciplinary medical specialty addressing the connection between the social, psychological, and behavioral attitudes and their impact on human processes.occupational healthoccupational healthThe subfield of study of public health that focus on improving the wellbeing of individuals in the workplace for all the occupational profiles. It is concerned with health and safety in the workplace ...apply a holistic approach in careapply a holistic approach in careUse bio-psycho-social models for care and take into account cultural and existential dimensions of the healthcare user, transforming a holistic understanding into practical measures.diagnose mental disordersdiagnose mental disordersFormulate a diagnosis for people with a variety of issues and mental disorders, ranging from short-term personal and emotional problems to severe, chronic mental conditions, recognising and critically...apply caseload managementapply caseload managementManage a number of patients within a given amount of time, striving to provide optimum health services.diagnose psychiatric symptomsdiagnose psychiatric symptomsRecognise and diagnose the common medical, neurologic and primary psychiatric symptoms such as delirium, dementia, violent episodes, self-injurious behavior, etc.work on the effects of abusework on the effects of abuseWork with individuals on the effects of abuse and trauma; such as sexual, physical, psychological, cultural and neglect.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.experimental psychologyexperimental psychologyThe branch of psychology that is involved in testing theories in relation to all the various aspects of human mind through empirical research methods.