Other Practitioner Psychologists

A Practitioner Psychologist applies a deep understanding of psychological theories and therapeutic techniques to support individuals, groups, or organisations facing psychological difficulties. For individuals or groups, these may be associated with mental and physical health, development or disability, and/or adverse life experiences.

A Practitioner Psychologist studies how people behave, think, and act in certain situations. Within mental health settings, Practitioner Psychologists help people better understand their behaviour, thoughts, and feelings, gaining insight into how these influence one another. They offer enhanced clinical assessments to formulate the individual or group's needs and evidence-based psychological interventions to promote recovery and improve mental health.

Other practitioner psychologists in NHS Wales specialise in educational, health, forensic, occupational and neuropsychology:

• Health Psychologists work to understand and support the psychological and emotional aspects of health, illness, and health care with individuals of all ages and the families and systems around them. They also work with people to change behaviours that impact their health, such as those in palliative care, managing chronic illnesses or adopting healthier lifestyles. Health Psychologists can train to doctoral level.
• Forensic Psychologists work with all aspects of the criminal justice system, offering psychological expertise, assessment, and intervention. They can support people affected by crime or other legal systems, such as family courts. Forensic Psychologists help individuals address the factors associated with the risk of further offending and support the development of healthy, pro-social living. Forensic Psychologists can train to doctoral level. 
• Educational Psychologists work to support issues that affect the psychological and emotional development and learning of infants, children, and young people (aged 0-25 years). They can support children and young people within their educational setting, as well as their families and the school system to better understand and meet the needs of the individual. They can offer assessment and intervention for specific learning needs. Educational Psychologists are doctoral level practitioners.
• Occupational Psychologists work to understand how people behave at work. They apply their knowledge of psychology to the workplace, with the aim of improving the wellbeing and job satisfaction for the individual as well increase the effectiveness of organisations. Occupational Psychologists can train to doctoral level. 
• Neuropsychologists work with people of all ages dealing with people who have had traumatic brain injury, toxic and metabolic disorders, strokes, tumours and neurodegenerative diseases. Neuropsychology is a post qualification discipline, requiring the individual to be a Chartered Psychologist within the field of clinical or educational psychology.