managing your mental health during your phd

13 episodes

This book explores the PhD experience as never before and provides a “survival guide” for current and prospective PhD students. The book investigates why mental health issues are so common among the postgraduate population, going beyond the statistics, looking at lived experience of both the author and as well as current PhD students, who have found balancing mental wellness with the PhD endeavour challenging. The author discusses tips and tricks she wished she had known at the start of her PhD process for managing mental health, such as managing imposter feelings, prioritising workload, and self-care strategies to help others throughout their own journey. The book goes beyond typical mental health discussions (where the focus for improving mental health is placed on PhD students to become “more resilient”) and explores some of the often unspoken environmental factors that can impact mental health. These include the PhD student-supervisor relationship, the pressure to publish, and deep systemic problems in academia, such as racism, bullying and harassment.Finally, the book is a call to action, providing tangible improvements from the author’s perspective that university institutions can make to ensure that academia is a place for all to thrive. Narrated by Gabriella Kountourides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide Zoe Ayres

• 18 AUG 2023

Chapter 12: Thriving, Not Just Surviving

This chapter looks at how to get help for mental illness, based on the author's experience. The book was written by Dr Zoë Ayres, edited by Dr Petra Boynton, and narrated by Gabriella Kountourides. Cover art by Hana Ayoob. "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" was originally published in print by Springer, and can be purchased here. This podcast is entirely free. If you are able to, you can BuyMeACoffee. This helps keep me going helps support future projects. For full early access to the podcast (ahead of the 12 week release schedule), you can purchase this through my BuyMeACoffee commission. Please find the full reference list for the book here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 11 AUG 2023

Chapter 11: The High-Walled Rose Garden - Understanding there is life outside the academy

This chapter looks at the uncertainty of "what comes next" after PhD study, and the alternatives to academic careers. The book was written by Dr Zoë Ayres, edited by Dr Petra Boynton, and narrated by Gabriella Kountourides. Cover art by Hana Ayoob. "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" was originally published in print by Springer, and can be purchased here. This podcast is entirely free. If you are able to, you can BuyMeACoffee. This helps keep me going helps support future projects. For full early access to the podcast (ahead of the 12 week release schedule), you can purchase this through my BuyMeACoffee commission. Please find the full reference list for the book here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chapter 10: Publish or Perish - On the Myth of Meritocracy

This chapter explores the overwork culture in academia and the pressure to publish. The book was written by Dr Zoë Ayres, edited by Dr Petra Boynton, and narrated by Gabriella Kountourides. Cover art by Hana Ayoob. "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" was originally published in print by Springer, and can be purchased here. This podcast is entirely free. If you are able to, you can BuyMeACoffee. This helps keep me going helps support future projects. For full early access to the podcast (ahead of the 12 week release schedule), you can purchase this through my BuyMeACoffee commission. Please find the full reference list for the book here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 28 JUL 2023

Chapter 9: Perhaps It's Not You It's Them: The PhD Student-Supervisor Relationship

This chapter looks at the professional relationship between PhD students and their supervisors, and when things go wrong. The book was written by Dr Zoë Ayres, edited by Dr Petra Boynton, and narrated by Gabriella Kountourides. Cover art by Hana Ayoob. "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" was originally published in print by Springer, and can be purchased here. This podcast is entirely free. If you are able to, you can BuyMeACoffee. This helps keep me going helps support future projects. For full early access to the podcast (ahead of the 12 week release schedule), you can purchase this through my BuyMeACoffee commission. Please find the full reference list for the book here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 21 JUL 2023

Chapter 8: Dismantling the Ivory Tower - Systemic Issues that might impact your mental health

This chapter explores the environmental systemic issues that PhD students might face. The book was written by Dr Zoë Ayres, edited by Dr Petra Boynton, and narrated by Gabriella Kountourides. Cover art by Hana Ayoob. "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" was originally published in print by Springer, and can be purchased here. This podcast is entirely free. If you are able to, you can BuyMeACoffee. This helps keep me going helps support future projects. For full early access to the podcast (ahead of the 12 week release schedule), you can purchase this through my BuyMeACoffee commission. Please find the full reference list for the book here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 14 JUL 2023

Chapter 7: Why You Earned It: Fighting the Imposter

This chapter explores the impostor phenomenon, and how it can impact our studies. The book was written by Dr Zoë Ayres, edited by Dr Petra Boynton, and narrated by Gabriella Kountourides. Cover art by Hana Ayoob. "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide" was originally published in print by Springer, and can be purchased here. This podcast is entirely free. If you are able to, you can BuyMeACoffee. This helps keep me going helps support future projects. For full early access to the podcast (ahead of the 12 week release schedule), you can purchase this through my BuyMeACoffee commission. Please find the full reference list for the book here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• © Zoe Ayres

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The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

PhD Burnout: Managing Energy, Stress, Anxiety & Your Mental Health

PhDs are renowned for being stressful and when you add a global pandemic into the mix it’s no surprise that many students are struggling with their mental health. Unfortunately this can often lead to PhD fatigue which may eventually lead to burnout.

In this post we’ll explore what academic burnout is and how it comes about, then discuss some tips I picked up for managing mental health during my own PhD.

Please note that I am by no means an expert in this area. I’ve worked in seven different labs before, during and after my PhD so I have a fair idea of research stress but even so, I don’t have all the answers.

If you’re feeling burnt out or depressed and finding the pressure too much, please reach out to friends and family or give the Samaritans a call to talk things through.

Note – This post, and its follow on about maintaining PhD motivation were inspired by a reader who asked for recommendations on dealing with PhD fatigue. I love hearing from all of you, so if you have any ideas for topics which you, or others, could find useful please do let me know either in the comments section below or by getting in contact . Or just pop me a message to say hi. 🙂

This post is part of my PhD mindset series, you can check out the full series below:

• PhD Burnout: Managing Energy, Stress, Anxiety & Your Mental Health (this part!)
• PhD Motivation: How to Stay Driven From Cover Letter to Completion
• How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Studying

What is PhD Burnout?

Whenever I’ve gone anywhere near social media relating to PhDs I see overwhelmed PhD students who are some combination of overwhelmed, de-energised or depressed.

Specifically I often see Americans talking about the importance of talking through their PhD difficulties with a therapist, which I find a little alarming. It’s great to seek help but even better to avoid the need in the first place.

Sadly, none of this is unusual. As this survey shows, depression is common for PhD students and of note: at higher levels than for working professionals.

All of these feelings can be connected to academic burnout.

The World Health Organisation classifies burnout as a syndrome with symptoms of:

– Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; – Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; – Reduced professional efficacy. Symptoms of burnout as classified by the WHO. Source .

This often leads to students falling completely out of love with the topic they decided to spend years of their life researching!

The pandemic has added extra pressures and constraints which can make it even more difficult to have a well balanced and positive PhD experience. Therefore it is more important than ever to take care of yourself, so that not only can you continue to make progress in your project but also ensure you stay healthy.

What are the Stages of Burnout?

Psychologists Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North developed a 12 stage model of burnout. The following graphic by The Present Psychologist does a great job at conveying each of these.

I don’t know about you, but I can personally identify with several of the stages and it’s scary to see how they can potentially lead down a path to complete mental and physical burnout. I also think it’s interesting that neglecting needs (stage 3) happens so early on. If you check in with yourself regularly you can hopefully halt your burnout journey at that point.

PhDs can be tough but burnout isn’t an inevitability. Here are a few suggestions for how you can look after your mental health and avoid academic burnout.

Overcoming PhD Burnout

Manage your energy levels, maintaining energy levels day to day.

• Eat well and eat regularly. Try to avoid nutritionless high sugar foods which can play havoc with your energy levels. Instead aim for low GI food . Maybe I’m just getting old but I really do recommend eating some fruit and veg. My favourite book of 2021, How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reduce Disease , is well worth a read. Not a fan of veggies? Either disguise them or at least eat some fruit such as apples and bananas. Sliced apple with some peanut butter is a delicious and nutritious low GI snack. Check out my series of posts on cooking nutritious meals on a budget.
• Get enough sleep. It doesn’t take PhD-level research to realise that you need to rest properly if you want to avoid becoming exhausted! How much sleep someone needs to feel well-rested varies person to person, so I won’t prescribe that you get a specific amount, but 6-9 hours is the range typically recommended. Personally, I take getting enough sleep very seriously and try to get a minimum of 8 hours.

A side note on caffeine consumption: Do PhD students need caffeine to survive?

In a word, no!

Although a culture of caffeine consumption goes hand in hand with intense work, PhD students certainly don’t need caffeine to survive. How do I know? I didn’t have any at all during my own PhD. In fact, I wrote a whole post about it .

By all means consume as much caffeine as you want, just know that it doesn’t have to be a prerequisite for successfully completing a PhD.

Maintaining energy throughout your whole PhD

• Pace yourself. As I mention later in the post I strongly recommend treating your PhD like a normal full-time job. This means only working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Doing so could help realign your stress, anxiety and depression levels with comparatively less-depressed professional workers . There will of course be times when this isn’t possible and you’ll need to work longer hours to make a certain deadline. But working long hours should not be the norm. It’s good to try and balance the workload as best you can across the whole of your PhD. For instance, I often encourage people to start writing papers earlier than they think as these can later become chapters in your thesis. It’s things like this that can help you avoid excess stress in your final year.
• Take time off to recharge. All work and no play makes for an exhausted PhD student! Make the most of opportunities to get involved with extracurricular activities (often at a discount!). I wrote a whole post about making the most of opportunities during your PhD . PhD students should have time for a social life, again I’ve written about that . Also give yourself permission to take time-off day to day for self care, whether that’s to go for a walk in nature, meet friends or binge-watch a show on Netflix. Even within a single working day I often find I’m far more efficient when I break up my work into chunks and allow myself to take time off in-between. This is also a good way to avoid procrastination!

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

During your PhD there will inevitably be times of stress. Your experiments may not be going as planned, deadlines may be coming up fast or you may find yourself pushed too far outside of your comfort zone. But if you manage your response well you’ll hopefully be able to avoid PhD burnout. I’ll say it again: stress does not need to lead to burnout!

Everyone is unique in terms of what works for them so I’d recommend writing down a list of what you find helpful when you feel stressed, anxious or sad and then you can refer to it when you next experience that feeling.

I’ve created a mental health reminders print-out to refer to when times get tough. It’s available now in the resources library (subscribe for free to get the password!).

Below are a few general suggestions to avoid PhD burnout which work for me and you may find helpful.

• Exercise. When you’re feeling down it can be tough to motivate yourself to go and exercise but I always feel much better for it afterwards. When we exercise it helps our body to adapt at dealing with stress, so getting into a good habit can work wonders for both your mental and physical health. Why not see if your uni has any unusual sports or activities you could try? I tried scuba diving and surfing while at Imperial! But remember, exercise doesn’t need to be difficult. It could just involve going for a walk around the block at lunch or taking the stairs rather than the lift.
• Cook / Bake. I appreciate that for many people cooking can be anything but relaxing, so if you don’t enjoy the pressure of cooking an actual meal perhaps give baking a go. Personally I really enjoy putting a podcast on and making food. Pinterest and Youtube can be great visual places to find new recipes.
• Let your mind relax. Switching off is a skill and I’ve found meditation a great way to help clear my mind. It’s amazing how noticeably different I can feel afterwards, having not previously been aware of how many thoughts were buzzing around! Yoga can also be another good way to relax and be present in the moment. My partner and I have been working our way through 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene on Youtube and I’d recommend it as a good way to ease yourself in. As well as being great for your mind, yoga also ticks the box for exercise!
• Read a book. I’ve previously written about the benefits of reading fiction * and I still believe it’s one of the best ways to relax. Reading allows you to immerse yourself in a different world and it’s a great way to entertain yourself during a commute.

* Wondering how I got something published in Science ? Read my guide here .

Talk It Through

• Meet with your supervisor. Don’t suffer in silence, if you’re finding yourself struggling or burned out raise this with your supervisor and they should be able to work with you to find ways to reduce the pressure. This may involve you taking some time off, delegating some of your workload, suggesting an alternative course of action or signposting you to services your university offers.

Also remember that facing PhD-related challenges can be common. I wrote a whole post about mine in case you want to cheer yourself up! We can’t control everything we encounter, but we can control our response.

A free self-care checklist is also now available in the resources library , providing ideas to stay healthy and avoid PhD burnout.

Top Tips for Avoiding PhD Burnout

On top of everything we’ve covered in the sections above, here are a few overarching tips which I think could help you to avoid PhD burnout:

• Work sensible hours . You shouldn’t feel under pressure from your supervisor or anyone else to be pulling crazy hours on a regular basis. Even if you adore your project it isn’t healthy to be forfeiting other aspects of your life such as food, sleep and friends. As a starting point I suggest treating your PhD as a 9-5 job. About a year into my PhD I shared how many hours I was working .
• Reduce your use of social media. If you feel like social media could be having a negative impact on your mental health, why not try having a break from it?
• Do things outside of your PhD . Bonus points if this includes spending time outdoors, getting exercise or spending time with friends. Basically, make sure the PhD isn’t the only thing occupying both your mental and physical ife.
• Regularly check in on how you’re feeling. If you wait until you’re truly burnt out before seeking help, it is likely to take you a long time to recover and you may even feel that dropping out is your only option. While that can be a completely valid choice I would strongly suggest to check in with yourself on a regular basis and speak to someone early on (be that your supervisor, or a friend or family member) if you find yourself struggling.

I really hope that this post has been useful for you. Nothing is more important than your mental health and PhD burnout can really disrupt that. If you’ve got any comments or suggestions which you think other PhD scholars could find useful please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

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LAMPROU LAB

Innovative Research

• Nov 1, 2022

Managing stress during the PhD

Impostor syndrome, stress and anxiety are commonplace for most of the post-graduate students doing a PhD, with 42% of them suffering from mental health issues during their doctorate journey [1]. Uncontrolled stress may be translated into physical symptoms, such as headache, stomach-ache, sleeping problems and difficulties in focusing. In the worst case, excess anxiety may even lead to lack of motivation and depression [2].

Learning how to deal with stress is probably one of most difficult and most important things to learn in life with the final aim of finding a good balance between work and social life. One of the biggest problems when considering mental health issues is that PhDs do not really talk about it, and most of the time they feel alone and drawn by an ocean of problems, expectations, deadlines, and incapability of communicate their own thoughts and fears.

Therefore, it is very important to talk about stress, and share some tips and motivational advice may be useful for those PhDs struggling with mental health problems.

1. You are not an impostor

Do not play a competition game with others, as each one has different learning times and abilities, and this does not make someone worse or better, but just “different”. Try to change your perception of failure, because failing at a task is an excellent way to learn something new and develop yourself. Critics are not always bad, so do not take them personally, as most of the time they are just another means of improvement [3]. Always remember that almost every PhD student on earth feels the same. Are they all impostors? NO

2. Everything has a solution

During PhD studies, individuals are entitled to make mistakes, and have not to be perfect in everything they do. PhD is another degree, and after all, PhDs are just students in the middle of a learning process. It is important to remember that even if mistakes are made, it is fine, and that nothing comes without a solution. A workaround can always be found!

3. Face one problem at a time

According to the different Universities or scholarships/programs, a predefined amount of time is given to every student to finish the PhD. This usually requires optimal organizational skill and multi-tasking ability with the aim to perform experiments/tasks in a timely manner and to gather all the necessary results to write in the final thesis. However, the amount of work to perform may seem excessive sometimes and overwhelming when tasks are seen all together. Learning how to prioritize is essential and organizing the experiments/tasks in an agenda may be useful. Reserving a certain amount of time for a task and facing one problem at a time is the key to carrying them all out safely and with minimum stress.

4. Set boundaries and get some time for yourself

Most of the time, PhD students keep thinking about working issues, data, and results way over their working hours, or they may feel forced to reply to emails and still perform tasks even when they just need to relax. Setting some boundaries for yourselves is important to establish a good work/social life balance [4]. You are entitled to take your time to reply to an email, or to relax during the weekend or in the evening. Going out with friends, focusing on different activities such as sports or else is essential to give your brain a bit of well-deserved rest!

5. Don’t be scared to talk

It is important to establish a good relationship with your supervisor and to do so it is important to talk. To talk about your impressions, thoughts, ideas in a respectful and assertive way. In the case of stress and mental health issues, is even more important to talk and try to communicate your needs without any fear. Everyone, at least once in their life, felt anxious about something and your supervisor may help you out in finding a solution to this, suggesting some tips, giving you more support, or advising about services available at your campus.

6. PhD is temporary

Remember that the PhD is temporary and that all the uncomfortable feelings will not be there forever [5]. The PhD is just a stage in your life, a stage that you have to use to grow as a person, to get new knowledge and experiences. Trust me and many others, at the end of your journey you will be thankful for all the difficulties encountered because these will teach you how to be a better and more skilled version of your previous self. And you will be proud of that.

7. You are not alone

I think this is the most important tip of all. You are not alone. Sometimes PhDs may feel like their struggle is isolated, while other people just go on with their life with no issue at all. This is not true. Most of the time, other PhDs, researchers, lecturers, professors, and professionals in general, may feel the same stress, anxiety, and lack of motivation. They just try to hide it.

Mental health issues are a serious problem, even outside the working/educational/academic environment. Universities, provide students with counsellors and help them cope with stress. Seeking help when needed is important, and this does not make “you” weaker than the others, but actually stronger, as acknowledging limits is the first step for self-improvement.

By Francesca Corduas

“ Coping with stress at work ”, American Psychological Association. Oct 14th 2018.

Cassie M. Hazel, Clio Barry “ Is doing a PhD bad for your mental health? ”. Jan 12th 2022.

“ What Is Imposter Syndrome And How To Overcome It ”, Better Help. Oct 6th 2022.

“ Coping with stress: Workplace tips ”, Mayo Clinic. Jun 16th 2021.

“ 39 PhD Mindfulness Exercises To De-Stress Your PhD ”, The PhD proof-readers. Aug 16th 2019.

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Affiliations.

• 1 Institute for Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.
• 2 UCL School of Management, London, United Kingdom.
• PMID: 37851673
• PMCID: PMC10584151
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291555

Research policy observers are increasingly concerned about the impact of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on university research. Yet we know little about the effect of this disruption, specifically on PhD students, their mental health, and their research progress. This study drew from survey responses of UK PhD students during the Covid-19 pandemic. We explored evidence of depression and coping behaviour (N = 1780), and assessed factors relating to demographics, PhD characteristics, Covid-19-associated personal circumstances, and significant life events that could explain PhD student depression during the research disruption (N = 1433). The majority of the study population (86%) reported a negative effect on their research progress during the pandemic. Results based on eight mental health symptoms (PHQ-8) showed that three in four PhD students experienced significant depression. Live-in children and lack of funding were among the most significant factors associated with developing depression. Engaging in approach coping behaviours (i.e., those alleviating the problem directly) related to lower levels of depression. By assessing the impact of research disruption on the UK PhD researcher community, our findings indicate policies to manage short-term risks but also build resilience in academic communities against current and future disruptions.

Copyright: © 2023 Aristeidou, Aristidou. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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• A PhD in psychology will open career opportunities in the fields of research psychology, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and even management consultancy.
• Psychology positions have a projected job growth of 6% over the next decade.
• Those who earn a PhD in psychology work in medical settings, government agencies, educational institutions, or in private practice.

If you’re passionate about building a successful career in psychology, earning a doctorate in psychology could get you there. For those who are passionate about the subject but wonder, “What can you do with a PhD in psychology?“, we’ll help you explore your options so you can decide whether a PhD in psychology is worth the shot. 

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With a PhD in psychology, you can pursue various career paths, including research psychology, psychotherapy, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, and even management consultancy. Alternatively, a doctorate also helps you pursue different areas of specialization within the field of psychology.

If you are considering a PhD degree in psychology, you’ve likely already earned your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. However, to progress further into the roles of research, academia, authorship, or lectureship, you have to take the next step. If you’re already employed in a field of psychology, earning a PhD helps you level up.

While a doctoral degree gears you up to become a licensed clinical psychologist, there are plenty of other career options to explore. Here’s a list of the most popular career pathways you can pursue with a PhD in psychology, along with their salaries and growth statistics.

Psychological Researcher

Psychological researchers, or research psychologists, deeply understand the human mind. Their primary duties include conducting experiments to test procedures to explore various aspects of psychology. This includes selecting candidates for clinical trials, administering tests, and carefully observing and documenting the outcomes of their research.

By the time they are done with PhD, psychological researchers are capable enough to review existing literature and contribute to scholarly discussions. Some may serve at universities, while others may work for hospitals or government agencies. If you’re passionate about research and writing, this might be a pretty lucrative field with tons of career opportunities.

• National average salary: $99,577 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028

Clinical Director or Supervisor

The clinical director is one of the most highly paid yet growing careers in psychology . Clinical supervisors monitor psychologists and other mental health professionals to oversee the quality of clinical care provided. They establish best practices for the workplace and check whether the institution complies with regulations in the mental health field.

As a clinical director, you’ll serve in various settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, universities, or even private practices. Also, these professionals arrange development opportunities for staff members, gather feedback from patients, and delegate cases to team members.

• National average salary: $120,761 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031

Psychotherapist

Like clinical psychologists, psychotherapists support individuals with mental health conditions and help them live a fulfilling life. Unlike clinical psychologists, psychotherapists diagnose more general mental health issues. They closely monitor their client’s behaviors, emotions, and thoughts to develop specific treatment plans for them.

Additionally, they use different tools and therapeutic techniques to develop coping strategies for their patients and improve the way they regulate emotions. A PhD in psychology potentially makes you a perfect fit to deal with the complexity involved in psychotherapy. Ultimately, you understand your clients better to know where they’re coming from.

• National average salary: $115,281 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032  

Psychometrics Specialist

A psychometric specialist looks at assessments to gather information about a patient’s personality, symptoms, and cognitive abilities. They often join hands with mental health specialists to facilitate research or diagnose and treat patients. On top of that, these professionals play a key role in collecting data for research and ensuring its accuracy.

They use a combination of interviews, examinations, and standardized tests to gather data about a patient’s psychological state and decode it to help clinicians and researchers reach conclusions. As a psychometric specialist, you’ll work in research or educational institutions, clinics, government agencies, or independently as a consultant.

• National average salary: $62,264 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028 

Human Resource Director

If you would rather work in an organizational setting, a PhD in psychology also helps build a mindset that prepares you to work in HR. HR directors are highly paid individuals responsible for shaping the recruitment and selection process in an organization. They create and implement corporate policies in areas like talent management, employee relations, and workplace culture.

With a PhD in psychology, you bring a deep understanding of human behavior, emotions, and motivation to the role. Plus, as an HR director, you can use the knowledge from your doctorate to develop thoughtful policies, systems, and resources to support employee well-being.

• National average salary: $116,601 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031

Marketing Director

With a PhD in psychology, you can also serve as a business or marketing director and build a fruitful career. Marketing directors use the knowledge of psychology to bridge the gap between relevant products and customers. Serving at multiple profit or non-profit sectors, these graduates contribute to public relations, management, and technical services.

As a marketing director, your background in psychology equips you with the right knowledge of consumer behavior and effective ways to communicate with them. This, in turn, helps you develop successful marketing campaigns that resonate perfectly with your audience.

• National average salary: $120,014 per year
• Growth: Expected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028

Management Consultant

Management consultancy is another productive career path you can choose after a doctorate in psychology. Management consultants improve an organization’s efficiency, productivity, and performance. With a deep understanding of psychology, you can easily identify and deal with the underlying issues and patterns within your company.

Plus, management consultants provide feedback and recommendations on addressing employee and business management problems. They might also join hands with top-level management to devise practical solutions that align with the company’s core values.

• National average salary: $108,555 per year 
• Growth: Projected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing field  that requires individual practitioners to obtain a state license. Psychologists in this field work closely with law enforcement to investigate crimes. For a license, you need to complete a doctoral degree from an APA-approved program and have clinically-supervised work experience.

Licensed forensic psychologists assist legal professionals with addressing the psychological aspects of the cases they’re dealing with. For instance, they conduct evaluations, assessments, and psychological testing to understand the case. Once they have come up with logical reasons, they present their findings and opinions to judges and juries.

• National average salary: $87,877 per year
• Growth: Expected to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031

Behavioral Health Specialist

As the name suggests, behavioral health specialists counsel and support individuals with behavioral or mental health problems. They use therapeutic techniques to help patients develop new behaviors and cope with their existing condition. Most importantly, they use their psychological knowledge to identify the root causes of their patient’s behaviors.

If you have a PhD in behavioral health, you can work with patients who have severe mental illness or developmental disorders like autism. The advanced degree helps you set developmental goals for your patients and implement evidence-based treatment plans to guard their well-being.

• National average salary: $54,663 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 9% between 2018 and 2028

Addiction Counselor

PhD in psychology also enables you to serve as an addiction counselor, where you support patients on their journey to recovery from addictive behaviors. Typically, addiction counselors guide through the rehabilitation process and help manage withdrawal symptoms. They often work together with medical professionals to effectively detoxify clients from drugs and alcohol.

In addition to one-on-one counseling sessions, addiction counselors arrange group therapy sessions. This provides clients with peer support and learning about new experiences and coping mechanisms. They monitor clients throughout the rehabilitation process till they finally achieve sobriety.

• National average salary: $65,310 per year
• Growth: Projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032

Prerequisites for Earning a PhD in Psychology

If you’ve made up your mind and want to earn a PhD in psychology, you’ll generally need at least a bachelor’s degree to get in. While some institutions may also require a master’s degree as a prerequisite, it largely depends on the program you’re opting for. Some universities offer combined master’s and doctoral degrees, so you get both degrees at once.

However, the most integral part of your PhD program is the area you’ve chosen. When applying, it’s recommended to thoroughly research the specialties the universities on your radar are offering. This isn’t just about coursework since the topics of your dissertation will also depend on your chosen concentration.

Plus, to make sure you quickly get through the admission process, it’s important to prepare for it beforehand. While the specific requirements depend on your university, here’s a list of some basic prerequisites when applying for a PhD in psychology:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
• A master’s degree (depending on the institution)
• Strong academic record
• Letters of recommendation
• Relevant research experience or coursework
• Statement of Purpose (SoP)
• Interview (as a part of the application process)

Benefits of Earning a PhD in Psychology

Even if you’re sure about earning a PhD in psychology, it’s best to take a look at the benefits to check whether they align with your future goals. While the time required to complete a PhD may be significant, the benefits you reap make it worthwhile. Here’s an overview of the pros of getting a PhD in psychology:

Obtaining a License

Earning a doctorate in psychology is the only path to practice independently as a licensed psychologist. A license allows you to diagnose and treat mental disorders and provide therapy sessions to clients.

Better Employment Opportunities

Many employers, including those in the educational sector, prefer PhD holders over candidates with a master’s in psychology . This is due to years of experience and practice acquired through a doctoral program. For instance, PhD holders are often preferred for faculty positions, research roles, and leadership positions.

Skill Development

PhD holders are seen as authorities in the field of psychology  and research. Through extensive training and coursework, PhD students develop advanced knowledge and skills in areas like research methodology, statistical analysis, and clinical assessments.

High Paying Positions

Doctoral degree holders in psychology are paid way higher than those with bachelor’s degrees. The difference in salary reflects the higher earning potential that comes with advanced degrees in psychology. For instance, candidates with a PhD may easily qualify for higher paying positions in academia, clinical practice, research, or consulting.

Related Questions

What do you learn in a doctorate program for psychology.

In a doctorate program in psychology, you dig deeper into the field of psychology. For instance, you study research theories and methods and do your own research for a dissertation. Most PhD programs also allow you to gain hands-on experience in real clinical settings through an internship program.

Where can you work with a doctorate in psychology?

Fortunately, you can choose from plenty of workplace options once you get your PhD in psychology. You may work as a psychologist in a clinic or even begin practicing privately. Some individuals with a doctorate serve at government agencies, hospitals, and even educational institutions.

How long does it take to get a PhD in psychology?

Generally, getting a PhD in psychology takes around 5-8 years , including some hands-on experience and a year-long internship. However, it’s worth noting that PhD programs are highly competitive. So, the earlier you prepare for your dream university for your psychology degree , the sooner you can secure a spot.

We hope we’ve adequately answered the question “What can you do with a PhD in psychology?” for you and you have more clarity about whether this is the right path for you. Whether you’re into clinical practice, research, or social service, a doctorate in psychology can accommodate your personal preferences if you pick the right area for yourself.

Top Reasons to Pursue a PhD in Mental Healthcare

Want to make a big difference in mental healthcare? A PhD in Mental Healthcare could be perfect for you. It opens doors to new careers and lets you make changes in many places. Let’s look at how this path can take you further and impact people’s lives in a big way.

Key Takeaways

• By pursuing a PhD in Mental Healthcare, you can unlock diverse career opportunities in the field.
• A mental health PhD equips you with the skills and knowledge to take on leadership roles.
• You can drive change in organizations and communities by pursuing a PhD in Mental Healthcare.
• A mental health PhD offers advanced training in research methodologies, allowing you to contribute to the profession.
• Pursuing a PhD in Mental Healthcare promotes personal growth and deepens your understanding of self as an instrument of change.

Advancement into Leadership Roles

Getting a PhD in Mental Healthcare can help you become a leader in the mental health field. This degree opens many doors. You could:

• Teach and do research at universities.
• Consult or provide training in mental healthcare.
• Manage mental health programs in places like hospitals and schools.

Having a PhD lets you really change things in mental healthcare. You get to set policies, create new programs, and fight for better care. This is for people with mental health needs.

Being part of global counseling networks during your PhD can also help. You’ll learn from different cultures and viewpoints. It makes you a leader who gets the specific needs of various communities.

“A PhD in Mental Healthcare is key for those wanting to lead in this field. It gives you the know-how, skills, and respect to make big changes. You can take top roles in organizations and communities.” – Dr. Jane Smith, Mental Health Expert

A Mental Health PhD can lead you to many leadership roles. You might focus on research, program management, or shaping policies. It’s a path to making a difference in mental health.

Leadership Pathways with a Mental Health PhD

With your Mental Healthcare PhD, many leadership options await. You can choose roles that match your goals and values. This can help move mental health care forward and benefit both individuals and communities.

Driving Change in Organizations and Communities

Earning a PhD in Mental Healthcare gives you the power to change things in organizations and communities. With a PhD, you can lead in promoting better mental health and fair help for all. You will be able to improve existing mental health systems, create new programs, and make sure everyone deserves quality care. It’s a powerful position to be in.

Having a PhD also means you can teach others and bring groups together for common good. You can help make mental healthcare more open and fair, reaching everyone equally. Aiming for a system that puts the well-being of all first, no matter who they are, is crucial.

“Driving change requires a commitment to promoting social justice and understanding the societal factors that contribute to mental health disparities. With a PhD in Mental Healthcare, you can be at the forefront of shaping counseling practices and policies to ensure fairness, equity, and access to quality care for all.”

Research and teaming up with others enable you to create new ways to help. By working with different groups, you can push for big changes that benefit everyone’s mental and emotional health. Getting involved in community work helps you know their needs better, making your help more fitting and right for them.

Implementing Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership is key in changing the mental health and counseling fields. By sharing your dreams, encouraging those around you, and welcoming new ideas, you can do great things. You can leave a strong, positive mark.

“Transformational leadership involves moving beyond traditional hierarchies and embracing collaborative approaches, actively involving diverse stakeholders and encouraging their active participation in decision-making processes.”

A PhD in Mental Healthcare makes you a leader who doesn’t just accept the old ways. You get to encourage new ideas and learning, creating environments that value care innovation and social fairness. This role is very important for making positive changes.

Advanced Training in Research Methodologies

Getting a PhD in Mental Healthcare boosts your knowledge of how to do research. This makes you a skilled researcher. You learn to do in-depth research and analyze data. This teaches you to think critically and go against the usual ideas.

You will dive into different ways to do research, analyze statistics, and understand data. This helps you do thorough research, look deeply into issues, and question what’s already known.

Sharpening your research skills helps the mental healthcare field a lot. You might work alone on studies, with other researchers, or together with organizations. Your studies could help change how mental health support is done, benefiting many people.

“Research is key to making progress in any area, including mental health. A PhD in mental health lets you do research that challenges old ideas and improves care quality.” – Dr. Emma Johnson, Research Professor at XYZ University

With a mental health PhD, you can also share your discoveries. Writing scholarly works and publishing research lets others learn from what you’ve found. This influences future studies and the field as a whole.

Presenting your research at conferences and working with experts helps you grow professionally. It improves your knowledge of mental healthcare and builds connections with others in the field.

Your research can also directly help improve how mental health is dealt with. By looking into important issues and suggesting new ways to help, you can change how care is given. This is a big step forward for the field.

Getting a PhD in Mental Healthcare is about more than learning how to research. It’s a chance to really make a difference. By challenging old ideas and doing research that’s practical, you can help change and improve mental healthcare.

Personal Transformation and Growth

Earning a PhD in Mental Healthcare is more than getting a degree. It’s a deep journey that changes you and helps you know yourself better. By digging into ideas and knowledge, you learn to think critically and see things differently.

This journey lets you explore mental health deeply. You get to see the world from various angles. This helps you understand how you can make a difference as someone who studies and helps others with mental health.

“The journey of a mental health PhD is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about discovering who you are and who you want to become.” – Dr. Amanda Johnson

While getting your doctorate, you find your place and who you are. Understanding yourself better makes you stronger in the mental health field. It lets you be more real and confident.

But, the impact goes beyond school. You carry the skills and wisdom with you into your whole life. This helps you tackle any issue with a new, adaptable mind.

Enhancing Empathy and Compassion

A mental health PhD teaches you to care deeply. You get to know people’s struggles and joys. This makes you able to give help that truly understands their needs.

Exploring Different Perspectives

Studying different research and books opens your mind to many ideas. It gives you a deep knowledge and helps you think clearly. You learn to see mental health in a way that includes everyone.

Developing Resilience and Perseverance

Getting a PhD is tough work. Facing problems and finding solutions makes you grow. You become a tough, determined person who can overcome anything.

The changes and growth from a mental health PhD are huge. They make you ready to make a difference in your field. By thinking, learning, and understanding differently, you become a change-maker for people and communities.

Enhanced Skills in Interpersonal Communication

Non-clinical PhD programs focus on research and teaching. They boost your ability to connect with others. This is key in providing effective mental health care.

You gain a deeper insight into social issues and how they affect people. With this understanding, you can help others better. You learn to communicate effectively, which is crucial for providing caring mental health support.

“Interpersonal communication skills are crucial in fostering rapport, understanding, and empathy in the therapeutic relationship. A mental health PhD equips you with the tools to communicate effectively with diverse populations and navigate complex social dynamics.” – Dr. Emily Thompson, Clinical Psychologist

Being able to connect with people is vital in mental health work. A PhD in this field teaches you how to listen and show you care. You create a space where clients feel safe opening up about their struggles.

Approaching Clinical Work:

Understanding social and systemic issues helps you look at mental health broadly. You see how everyday life affects mental well-being. This lets you offer more personalized care that really makes a difference.

Enhancing Mental Health Care:

Good communication creates a strong bond between you and your clients. It helps you understand their problems better. Your insight makes treatment plans more effective and helps break the stigma around mental health.

Realizing the Potential: A Clinical Practitioner’s Perspective

“Holding a mental health PhD has shown me the power of connecting with others. These skills help me dive into tough conversations, see my client’s world, and plan just the right interventions. Good communication strengthens our connection. It helps in better outcomes and encourages clients to take part in their healing journey.”_ – Dr. Sarah Johnson, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

A mental health PhD teaches you to be effective, sensitive, and inclusive in your care. It equips you with the means to truly help and affect change in mental health care.

Difference Between Clinical and Non-Clinical Doctoral Programs

Looking into a doctoral program in counseling psychology, knowing the difference between clinical and non-clinical paths is key. Though both types offer growth opportunities in mental health care, they lead to different career endeavors.

Clinical Doctoral Programs

Clinical programs require students to do hands-on work through internships. They aim at readying folks for jobs as licensed psychologists. This prepares them to work on the front line of mental health, helping people directly through services.

After finishing these paths, graduates often work in places like private practices or hospitals. Their jobs involve diagnosing issues, therapy, and tests to help people with their mental health.

Non-Clinical Doctoral Programs

Contrarily, non-clinical tracks, like a PhD in Mental Healthcare, focus more on research and teaching. They aim at sparking change through innovative studies and community work.

These programs open up various paths, like becoming part of a university or focusing on training counselors. They work on big mental health issues with a view to social justice, looking to improve well-being for everyone.

They aim to change the social norms that block mental health for some people. Grads work in research, education, and pushing for better policies, aiming to make mental healthcare more equal and effective.

Choosing the Right Path

Selecting the right program depends on what you’re passionate about and the goals you have. Consider if you’re more into working directly with people or if you dream of changing mental healthcare through research and teaching.

Some programs blend both clinical work and research, offering a middle ground. This option is ideal for those interested in both practice and the science behind it.

Your choice should center on what drives you and where you see yourself making the most impact. Whether clinical or non-clinical, these programs present exciting chances to better mental health provision.

Comparison of Clinical and Non-Clinical Doctoral Programs

Leading social change with a health services phd.

A health services PhD can help you lead important change in healthcare. It focuses on thinking critically and leading with research. As you earn your PhD in Health Services, you learn to tackle key healthcare challenges. This includes lowering costs, improving care experiences, and changing how care is delivered.

The program teaches you to uphold social justice and spot resources to aid diverse groups. It also helps you lead talks on major health service issues. With this PhD, you can truly make society better. You contribute to lasting change in a meaningful way.

Your deep dive into research and decision-making can shape healthcare’s future. You get to improve the health of both people and groups. With your expertise, you drive big changes in the healthcare system. You push for fair healthcare access and help solve problems in the industry.

Developing Research-Based Leadership Skills

A health services PhD program sharpens your research-led leadership. It gives you the skills to digest complex healthcare data and suggest solid solutions. You aim to make moves that will really help people and communities.

By becoming a critical thinker, you will challenge old ways and introduce new ideas. This is crucial for pushing social change . You ensure healthcare evolves to meet growing needs and expectations.

Advocating for Social Justice in Healthcare

With a health services PhD , you’re equipped to fight for fair healthcare. You grasp how health challenges, disparities, and system hurdles are linked. This helps you work towards a fairer healthcare system for all.

Your research can pin down why healthcare isn’t always fair and suggest changes. By standing for social justice, you help make healthcare serve everyone better. This includes lowering health gaps and ensuring top care is available to all.

Collaborating for Impactful Change

Healthcare thrives on team effort and needs various pros to drive big changes. A health services PhD brings you together with experts from different fields. These include medicine, nursing, public health, and policy.

Working together lets you use everyone’s know-how to solve hard healthcare issues. This teamwork mixes different angles and finds fresh solutions. The result is change that truly matters, benefiting folks, communities, and the entire healthcare network.

Earning a health services PhD sets you up to lead with research, push for fair healthcare, and work with many groups for change. With your doctoral experience, you’re ready to face the healthcare sector’s challenges. And you’re in the perfect spot to make life better for people and communities.

Deepening and Focusing Your Health Services Career Interests

Getting a health services PhD lets you zero in on what you love. You can choose specializations that match the world’s needs today. Options like leadership, healthcare admin, community health , or public health policy fit your goals. There’s even a option to create a custom program. This makes sure you follow your passion and use your skills.

Program Specializations

With a health services PhD, you can focus on different areas in healthcare. Pick the field that you like, and learn all about it. For example, you can choose to dive deep into:

• Leadership: Focuses on developing the managerial and leadership skills necessary to lead healthcare organizations.
• Healthcare Administration : Concentrates on the management and administration of healthcare systems and facilities.
• Community Health : Explores strategies for improving the health and well-being of specific populations or communities.
• Public Health Policy : Examines the development and implementation of policies that affect public health on a societal level.

Custom PhD Program

Sometimes, the standard options might not be just right for you. That’s when a custom PhD program can be handy. You get to choose the courses and topics that match your career dreams. This hands-on approach ensures you learn what you really need.

By focusing on a health services PhD, you can excel in your career. If you dream of leading, doing research, or creating policies, this PhD will prepare you. You’ll have the skills to truly make a difference in healthcare.

Getting a PhD in Mental Healthcare can lead to many good things. It opens up lots of job chances in the area. Getting this degree improves your skills and helps you grow personally and professionally.

This kind of PhD can let you make a big difference. You might take on leading roles, change things in groups and areas, or get advanced training in how to research. This can all help people with mental health needs.

With this PhD, you can change things at many levels. What you learn can help you grow and change how you think. It can also change how you see yourself and the power you have to make things better.

Thinking about a mental health PhD is a serious step. It can boost your career and do good for others. With this degree, you get better at what you do and make big, lasting changes in mental health care.

Q: What are the top reasons to pursue a PhD in Mental Healthcare?

Q: what career opportunities can a phd in mental healthcare lead to, q: what skills and knowledge can be gained from pursuing a phd in mental healthcare, q: what is the difference between clinical and non-clinical doctoral programs in mental healthcare, q: how does a phd in mental healthcare contribute to personal growth and development, q: how does a phd in mental healthcare enhance interpersonal communication skills, q: what career prospects are there with a health services phd, q: can you specialize in specific areas with a health services phd, q: what is the conclusion regarding pursuing a phd in mental healthcare, source links.

• https://lesley.edu/article/5-reasons-to-get-a-phd-in-a-non-clinical-counseling-psychology-program
• https://pfforphds.com/why-mental-health-is-worth-investing-in-with-phd-balance-founder-susanna-harris/
• https://www.waldenu.edu/online-doctoral-programs/phd-in-health-services/resource/four-reasons-to-consider-earning-your-phd-in-health-services

Our Healthcare Editorial Team is composed of subject matter experts and seasoned healthcare consultants who bring decades of combined experience and a wealth of academic qualifications. With advanced degrees and certifications in various medical and healthcare management fields, they are dedicated to supporting the personal and career development of healthcare professionals. Their expertise spans clinical practice, healthcare policy, patient advocacy, and public health, allowing us to offer insightful, well-researched content that enhances professional growth and informs practice.

The client education section of our blog is intended to support healthcare providers by offering informational resources for patient education. However, this information is not meant to serve as medical advice. We advise healthcare professionals to ensure all content is consistent with their clinical knowledge and confirm with current medical standards before using it in their practice or advising patients. For specific medical issues, always refer to professional guidance and standards of care.

For any legal matters or specific medical concerns, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified legal professional or referring to government websites for authoritative information.

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