Focus on Health Psychology

Both nationally and internationally, health psychology is very much a rapidly developing discipline - the scope of research in health psychology is matched by the range of contexts in which professional activity takes place.

Where do Health Psychologists work?

The career options are varied. Some Health Psychologists work in the NHS, whilst others work in settings such as universities, communities, government, charitable trusts, schools, and industry.

Who do Health Psychologists work with?

Everyone! Health affects everybody, so Health Psychologists work with people of all backgrounds and ages – adults, adolescents, and children. Health Psychologists work with patients, carers, families, healthy community members and health care professionals.

Health Psychologists are trained to help people deal with the challenges they might face as a result of ill health or when trying to lead a healthier way of life work. Areas of professional activity include public health, health promotion and policy-making, in addition to professional activity concerned with specific health-related matters, e.g. cardiovascular disease, stress, pain management, cancer management, HIV/AIDS, obesity, diabetes etc.

Health Psychologists are interested in experiences of health and illness that are likely to affect everybody at some time in their life.

Health Psychologists may work with people on a one-to-one basis, in a group, or as a family.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is currently the only University in Scotland where you can study Health Psychology at Undregraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral level.

Further information on Health Psychology may be found by visiting the website of the Division of Health Psychology
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