Student Resources Careers Psychologist Work Environments and Conditions Where Do Psychologists Work? By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 14, 2023 Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print Markus Haefke / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Private Practice Healthcare Settings Academic Settings Other Work Environments Influential Factors Trending Videos Close this video player If you've ever considered becoming a psychologist, then you've probably wondered a little bit about what the working conditions might be like. As with many other professions, a psychologist's specialty area and workplace are the major determinants of the working conditions. For example, a forensic psychologist might spend their day working in courthouses, police stations, or criminal detention centers. A clinical psychologist, on the other hand, might spend their day working in a hospital or other mental health setting. At a Glance Psychologists work in a wide variety of settings, including private practice, hospitals, government offices, outpatient centers, schools, and more. If you are interested in becoming a psychologist, it can be helpful to consider where you plan to work once you enter the field. Psychologists Work in Private Practice Psychologists, especially clinical and counseling psychologists, often work in private practice. This means that they have their own offices and are able to establish their own work schedule. This can provide a great deal of freedom, but it also comes with other challenges and responsibilities. Psychologists who are self-employed also need to learn the ins and outs of running their own business. This means thinking about things like purchasing office space, hiring other employees, paying business taxes, and billing insurance for services. It is important to note that many psychologists who run their own businesses frequently work evening and weekend hours to accommodate their clients' schedules. The U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that in 2022, 28% of all psychologists were self-employed. Psychologists Work in Healthcare Settings Psychologists also work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including, hospitals, nursing homes, retirement centers, and other healthcare facilities. Unlike being in private practice, these workplaces typically involve working a shift schedule. This can provide a more predictable schedule for some professionals. However, it may also mean working night shifts and weekends. Psychologists Work in Academic Settings Other psychologists also work in academic environments, including K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. Some may provide psychological services in these settings, while others focus on teaching and research. Psychologists in academic, government, or business settings generally have a more predictable schedule that follows normal daytime hours. However, university teachers may also need to teach classes during evening hours. Psychologists employed by colleges and universities often spend time teaching classes and conducting research. They also often perform administrative duties, serve on committees, and hold office hours to meet with students outside of regular class sessions. Other Work Environments Psychologist work environments can also include: Research laboratoriesCommunity health centersPrisonsSubstance use clinicsCorporate officesMilitary facilitiesTesting centersNon-profit groupsGovernment officesCourtrooms and law offices It is also not uncommon for psychologists to work in more than one setting. A clinical psychologist might see clients at a private practice or mental health clinic and also teach courses at a local university. An industrial-organizational psychologist may spend time observing behavior in the workplace and conducting research in an experimental lab. Factors That Influence Work Environment There are also other factors that can influence a psychologist's work environment. Their specialization and area of employment affect who they work, their stress levels, and their interactions with other professionals. Research Careers A psychologist's working conditions can depend on whether or not the individuals work in a research-oriented career or a more applied profession. Those who conduct research may spend time interacting with study participants, but a great deal of time will also be spent designing studies, analyzing results, and preparing research reports. Applied Careers Those in more applied professions will likely spend more one-on-one time with clients. Working conditions can be stressful at times, particularly when dealing with clients who are emotional, angry, or uncommunicative. Finding ways to deal with such stress and combat job burnout can be important for many professionals. Stress in the Work Environment According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, psychologists often collaborate with other professionals. They may consult with other psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, physical therapists, and other professionals as part of a mental health treatment team. Psychologists frequently deal with work pressures, including schedules, deadlines, and overtime. Difficult clients, emotionally charged situations, and other stressful situations are common. What This Means For You If you are considering a career as a psychologist, it's important to think about what your work environment might be like once you enter the field. Do you want to spend most of your time in an office, working with clients, or in a research setting? Thinking about these factors know can help you pick a specialization and job setting that is best suited to your needs. 4 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychologists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Gee DG, DeYoung KA, McLaughlin KA, et al. Training the next generation of clinical psychological scientists: A data-driven call to action. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2022;18:43-70. doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-092500 Hamp A, Stamm K, Lin L, Christidis P. 2015 APA Survey of Psychology Health Service Providers. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association; 2016. McCormack HM, MacIntyre TE, O'Shea D, Herring MP, Campbell MJ. The prevalence and cause(s) of burnout among applied psychologists: A systematic review. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1897. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01897 By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit