What is Health Psychology?
This page aims to provide you with information about health psychology, training, and membership of the Division of Health Psychology.
What is Health Psychology?
Health psychologists apply psychological research and methods to:
• the promotion and maintenance of health;
• the prevention and management of illness;
• the identification of psychological factors contributing to physical illness;
• the improvement of the health care system;
• the formulation of health policy.
The types of questions addressed by health psychologists include:
How do people adapt to chronic illness?
What factors influence healthy eating?
How is stress linked to heart disease?
Why do patients often not take their medication as prescribed?
Health psychologists work as applied psychologists, teachers, consultants and researchers within a variety of settings such as the NHS, Higher Education, health promotion, schools or industry.
We have prepared a downloadable pdf leaflet on the role of health psychologists within the NHS which particularly provides more information on the role of a health psychologists for those who may be working alongside one within the NHS.
Examples of Positions Held by Chartered Health Psychologists & Trainees
Example 1
NHS Consultant Health Psychologist working within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Example 3
Stage 2 Trainee currently doing a PhD at the University of Leeds.
Example 4
Stage 2 Trainee working as a Researcher/Care Advisor for the Huntington ’s Disease Association.
Example 7
Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology/ Joint Course Director of MSc in Health Psychology
Why Become a Health Psychologist?
Health psychology is a fast growing area and the kinds of things that health psychologists are involved in are interesting and varied. There is a wide-range of jobs available, although they are not always advertised as health psychology posts. This survey provides more detail on the types of posts in which health psychologists are currently employed within the UK.
Responses to this question by Chartered Health Psychologists:
“It's an opportunity to become part of a rapidly developing, cutting-edge profession, a chance to contribute to the promotion and improvement of physical health, a great way to develop specific key skills and competences which can't be gained easily elsewhere, and finally it is an opportunity to join a community of supportive and like-minded individuals”
"You could be a pioneer and make your own career path. There are only approximately 500 Chartered Health Psychologists in the UK, this means that you can become a big influence on the development of the Profession. You will have opportunities that other disciplines don't. Creatively identifying jobs where Health Psychologists can have an impact. You could be working in research, developing treatments to help people change debilitating behaviours. You could be using research to re-design health services so that they are more effective. You could be on the front line working with people with chronic illness to help them take charge of their lives, or cope day to day.
Health Psychology takes a focus on improving health and preventing ill health, like the ‘fully engaged’ model that the National Health Service is being asked to adopt. Engaging people in their own health and facilitating them to help themselves."
Training
In order to become a Chartered Health Psychologist, you must first complete an undergraduate degree which confers Graduate Basis for Registration. Then you must successfully complete postgraduate training in health psychology accredited by the Society. Click here for more information on training.
Membership of the Division of Health Psychology
If you are interested in joining the DHP, click here for more information on membership