How To Write a Psychology Resume
Your psychologist resume should showcase your knowledge, communication skills, and critical thinking and illuminate your capacity to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Whether you’re an experienced psychologist seeking new opportunities or a budding therapist ready to make your mark in the world of mental health, read on to see how to craft a resume that opens doors and conveys your dedication to enhancing the human experience.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
Including a strong summary at the top of your resume is essential for making a strong first impression on potential employers. Start with an opening sentence that lists your title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that align with the organization’s needs. Provide insights into your clinical knowledge and unique approach to mental health care. Paint a compelling snapshot of who you are as a therapist and how you’ve improved the quality of life for your patients.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Child Psychologist with 10+ years of professional experience, specializing in ABA therapy, case management, crisis intervention, and behavioral analysis. A proven track record of providing quality mental health services to children who have autism, ADHD, and hearing impairments.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A Family Psychologist with entry-level experience specializing in behavioral analysis, clinical psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and patient management. Adept at delivering compassionate and empathetic mental health services to patients across diverse cultural backgrounds.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
As a licensed psychologist, you’ll be interfacing with multidisciplinary teams, families, and patients on a daily basis. Employers value candidates who thrive while collaborating with diverse groups. Highlight your ability to build relationships with team members and patients across cultural backgrounds. This will send a clear message to hiring managers that you’re the ideal fit for the organization’s work culture.
Frame your bullet points as accomplishments rather than job duties. It can be helpful to think of things you were particularly proud of in your previous jobs and distill those into easily understandable achievements. Whenever possible, include clinical metrics to show hiring managers you have a proven track record of success as a psychologist.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Child Psychologist, Syracuse Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
July 2016 – Present
- Deliver mental health services to children and young adults with disabilities and behavioral disorders within a multidisciplinary setting
- Perform psychological tests for children and young adults, create cognitive assessment reports, analyze findings, and identify appropriate treatment plans
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate client’s access to services for clients with severe maladaptive behaviors and aggression
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Psychologist, Family Therapy Clinic, Charleston, SC
May 2021 – Present
- Deliver clinical mental health services to children, adults, and families, perform behavioral analysis to diagnose mental health disorders, and develop treatment plans to improve coping mechanisms and quality of life
- Perform mental health assessments, evaluate results of patient interviews, and utilize evidence-based therapy for patients
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to develop appropriate treatment plans, analyze patient data, and ensure safe environments for children
- Maintain confidential medical records, reports, and patient information
3. Include relevant education and certifications
In addition to your formal education, several certifications may be required in the field of psychology. Even when not expressly required, they’ll still look impressive on a resume. Many certifications can be useful for a psychologist to have.
Some of the most in-demand certifications include the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), which is offered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). It is designed for professionals who work in behavior analysis. Also, the Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CCBT) certification by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy is made for professionals who work in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, | September 2018
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CCBT), the Academy of Cognitive Therapy | June 2010
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), the Behavior Analyst Certification Board | April 2005
4. List pertinent key skills
To ensure compliance with applicant tracking systems (ATS), you must integrate specific key skills and action verbs from the job description into your resume. During the initial ATS scan, your document will be tracked for specific keywords that match the organization’s needs. If you don’t have enough of these qualifications in your resume, you won’t advance to the next phase of the hiring process.
An effective strategy for making a strong first impression on the hiring manager is incorporating key terms that the company values. Below is a list of potential keywords you may encounter during your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| ADHD | Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy |
| Autism | Behavioral analysis |
| Behavioral intervention | Case management |
| Child psychology | Clinical models |
| Clinical psychology | Cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Counseling | Couples counseling |
| Crisis intervention | Emotionally-focused therapy |
| Evidence-based therapy | Family therapy |
| Group therapy | Marriage counseling |
| Multidisciplinary | Patient advocacy |
| Patient assessment | Patient care |
| Psychotherapy treatment plans | |
How To Pick the Best Psychology Resume Template
When choosing a psychology resume template, it’s important to remember the content of your resume is more important than the design. A well-written resume with relevant experience and qualifications will be more effective than a poorly written one with an eye-catching design. When in doubt, always opt for a simple, elegant design that maximizes the readability of your content.
Psychology Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Adam Rosa
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Charleston, SC 12345
Profile
A Family Psychologist with entry-level experience specializing in behavioral analysis, clinical psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and patient management. Adept at delivering compassionate and empathetic mental health services to patients across diverse cultural backgrounds.
Professional Experience
Psychologist, Family Therapy Clinic, Charleston, SC
May 2021 – Present
- Deliver clinical mental health services to children, adults, and families, perform behavioral analysis to diagnose mental health disorders, and develop treatment plans to improve coping mechanisms and quality of life
- Perform mental health assessments, evaluate results of patient interviews, and utilize evidence-based therapy for patients
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to develop appropriate treatment plans, analyze patient data, and ensure safe environments for children
- Maintain confidential medical records, reports, and patient information
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Charleston, Charleston, SC May 2019 – May 2021
Bachelor of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Charleston, Charleston, SC September 2015 – May 2019
Key Skills
- Clinical Psychology
- Evidence-Based Therapy
- Behavioral Cognitive Therapy
- Counseling
- Family Therapy
Certifications
- Board Certified Professional Counselor, (LCP), State of South Carolina, 2021
Latisha Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Pittsburgh, PA 12345
Profile
A Licensed Psychologist with five years of experience specializing in patient advocacy, behavioral interventions, evidence-based therapy, and case management. A strong history of developing clinical models to improve patient care and drive positive clinical outcomes. Adept at coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to guide treatment plans and administer assessments.
Professional Experience
Psychologist, Lifestance Health, Pittsburgh, PA
March 2018 – Present
- Perform 15+ interviews and patient assessments weekly, diagnose mental disorders, and identify appropriate treatment plans using behavioral cognitive and evidence-based therapy approaches
- Tailor treatment methods according to multi-cultural needs and interface with patients diagnosed with disabilities and genetic disorders
- Develop evidence-based clinical models in compliance with ethical standards to enhance the quality of patient care across the organization
Psychologist, Centerline Medical, Pittsburgh, PA
August 2016 – March 2018
- Delivered mental health services and treatments to patients, led one-on-one and group therapy sessions, provided couples counseling, and conducted patient intake
- Evaluated patient progress, developed long-term treatment goals, and conducted patient assessments to diagnose mental illness and create treatment plans
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Clinical Psychology
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA May 2011 – May 2016
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA May 2009 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Clinical Psychology
- Patient Assessment
- Behavioral Analysis
- Case Management
- Group Therapy
Certifications
- Board Certified Professional Counselor, (LCP), State of Pennsylvania, 2016
Angelina Diaz
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Syracuse, NY 12345
Profile
A Child Psychologist with 10+ years of professional experience, specializing in ABA therapy, case management, crisis intervention, and behavioral analysis. A proven track record of providing quality mental health services to children who have autism, ADHD, and hearing impairments.
Professional Experience
Child Psychologist, Syracuse Medical Center, Syracuse, NY
July 2016 – Present
- Deliver mental health services to children and young adults with disabilities and behavioral disorders within a multidisciplinary setting
- Perform psychological tests for children and young adults, create cognitive assessment reports, analyze findings, and identify appropriate treatment plans
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate client’s access to services for clients with severe maladaptive behaviors and aggression
Child Psychologist, Syracuse Psychiatric Services, Syracuse, NY
June 2011 – July 2016
- Provided ABA therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to children with autism and developed treatment plans to improve social, behavioral, and coping skills
- Conducted crisis interventions and provided emergency support to parents and children during crisis situations at-home and school hours
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Clinical Psychology
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY May 2006 – May 2011
Master of Science (M.S.) Psychology
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY May 2004 – May 2006
Key Skills
- Child Psychology
- Autism
- ADHD
- Crisis Intervention
- ABA Therapy
Certifications
- Board Certified Professional Counselor, (LCP), State of New York, 2011
Frequently Asked Questions: Psychology Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for psychology resumes?+
Action verbs are important for a psychology resume because they help create an impact when you’re delivering information to someone else. Leading each bullet point with a strong, active verb gives the reader a clear understanding of what is happening and can greatly enhance the impact of your content. The verbs illustrate the extent of your vocabulary in the language and help grab the reader’s attention, motivating them to read the document thoroughly.
Here are some examples of action verbs that can be used in a psychology resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Collaborated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Developed | Diagnosed |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Examined | Identified |
| Implemented | Led |
| Managed | Performed |
| Provided | Resolved |
| Supported | |
How do you align your resume with a psychology job description?+
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for psychologists was $85,330 in 2022. Job openings within this field are projected to grow by 8% over the next decade, faster than the national average. Despite these positive indicators, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to generate interviews on the open market.
For example, if a company is seeking a psychologist with a strong background in family therapy, heavily emphasize this aspect of your experience throughout your document. If an organization is seeking a candidate who specializes in ABA therapy or emotionally-focused therapy, be sure to include these clinical terms directly in your profile. By tailoring your resume towards each individual opportunity, you’ll maximize your chances of landing your next job.
What is the best psychology resume format?+
The reverse chronological resume format is widely considered the best choice for psychology resumes. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. It is preferred because it highlights your most recent and relevant work experience, making it easier for recruiters to quickly identify your qualifications. Additionally, this format is easy to read and understand, making it a popular choice among recruiters and hiring managers.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’re done with your resume, a good way to finish it before sending it off to your prospective employer is to add a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and make a case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Remember, a cover letter should be fairly succinct. Don’t exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our health care worker cover letter examples.
