Ask the Expert: Krysten Dial, PsyD

Psychology is an academic discipline that takes learners through intimate explorations of the inner workings of the human mind, human motivation, and human behavior. Because every industry that involves people requires professionals that understand how people move through the world, the career applications for a student of psychology can present themselves in any industry and at various levels. One major career track for those interested in psychology happens at the clinical level, where psychology expertise is applied to helping people cope with or overcome mental health struggles, cultivate greater self-awareness, and move toward lives that center on self-confidence, self-reliance, and well-being. Those interested in clinical psychology will find that demand for mental health professionals of this kind is on the rise. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), occupational growth for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists is predicted to grow by 7 percent between 2023 and 2033, a rate that’s nearly double the predicted growth for all occupations nationwide. That amounts to an additional 14,000 new clinical psychology positions created, for a total of 221,600 by the end of this time period. Prospective students interested in becoming a part of this field will find many master of psychology programs offering formalized psychology training. Students who wish to continue working while studying, can’t physically move to pursue higher education, or want the flexibility to fit an academic program into their current life’s schedule can pursue master’s-level training online. While most online programs do not require any sort of in-person commitment, those that do often attempt to minimize disruptions to student life by offering residencies, immersions, or orientations that happen only for a few days.