Psychologists - NOC 4151

If you are interested in working as a Psychologists in Canada, you will be pleased to know that the job outlook for your occupation in Canada is extremely positive. You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

Psychologists are on the list of 29 eligible occupations under the Federal Skilled Worker program. A maximum of 500 applications will be accepted for processing in each of the 29 occupations, with an overall cap of 10,000 applications.

To view current number of applications received toward the cap, click here.

To find out if you qualify for a Canadian immigration (permanent resident) visa please fill out our free eligibility assessment.

NOC 4151- Click here for a description of the occupation and job duties of Psychologists:

Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy and research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning. Psychologists work in private practice or in institutions such as clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, businesses, schools and universities, and government and private research agencies.

(Description from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's National Occupation Classification, used by Canadian immigration officers, to assess an applicant's work experience.)

Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment and offer mediation services
Use standard psychological tests for assessment
Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, memory, perception and language development
Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
Provide consultation services to government and other organizations.
Psychologists may specialize in applied psychology or experimental research. Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational and school psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.

NOC 4151- Click here for some example titles of Psychologists:

behavioural modification psychologist
behavioural psychologist
behavioural therapist
behaviourist
chartered psychologist
child psychologist
clinical psychologist
cognitive psychologist
community psychologist
counselling psychologist
developmental psychologist
educational psychologist
experimental psychologist
forensic psychologist
human development psychologist
industrial psychologist

intern psychologist
neuropsychologist
organizational psychologist
physiological psychologist
psychological associate
psychologist
psychologist – counselling
psychologist – military
psychologist, school
psychotherapist
registered psychologist
research psychologist
school psychologist
social psychologist
sports psychologist
vocational psychologist

Why your employment prospects in Canada are excellent:

These professionals work in private practice or in institutions, such as clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, businesses, schools and universities.
Psychology is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

Find out about the salary ranges for Psychologists in different Canadian cities with our Canada Salary Calculator

Some areas of Canada where your occupation is in demand:

While there is a shortage of Psychologists across Canada, the following cities and provinces listed below have a particularly high demand for this occupation.

British Columbia

Employment prospects are good across the province.
Psychologists in B.C. are predominantly employed in the health care, social assistance and educational services industries. As such, these professionals are more often employed in areas with large health care facilities and universities.
Employment is concentrated in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island regions, where the population density is highest.
Women make up the majority of the workforce in this occupational group.
Projected new jobs between 2010 and 2015 is estimated at 160, with the number of jobs needed to be filled due to retirements at 230.
Industry sources report that northern B.C. currently has a strong need for more practitioners. As well, graduates who focus on neuropsychology and forensic psychology are in particularly high demand.
Over half of new jobs for psychologists in the upcoming years will come from retirements. However, many new positions will also arise from an increase in demand for psychological services to meet public health care and mental health care needs.
Opportunities will become available in rehabilitation centres, schools, social services, and health programs that combat drug dependency, family violence, crime and other mental health issues.
The College of Psychologists of British Columbia (CPBC) is the regulatory body for the profession of psychology in B.C. Psychologists must be registered with the CPBC in order to practice. To be registered, applicants must complete a graduate degree in psychology that meets the registration requirements, fulfill supervised practical experience requirements, pass a written jurisprudence exam, and pass the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
Opportunities in private practice will continue to be strong.
Increased counselling and testing of children, and the growing number of insurance companies providing full or partial coverage for psychological treatment, have fostered the growth of private practice.
In addition, more businesses are requiring organizational consulting psychologists.

Saskatchewan

Employment prospects for this occupation are good across the province.
Nearly 70% of all psychologists working in Saskatchewan in 2006 were 45 years of age or older. As a result, jobs will arise in the next few years as many older psychologists retire or take new positions.
Most psychologists in Saskatchewan work in the health care and social services industries.

Ontario

Employment prospects over the next 5 years are good.
The demand for psychologists will increase in the forecast period due to the increase in mental health illnesses and substance and drug addiction in the population.
Employment prospects will be best for those with a doctoral degree with speciality in health and social psychology.
Psychologists with good quantitative research skills and computer science will also face good job opportunities particularly in universities and private research companies.

Nova Scotia

The future employment outlook for Psychologists in Nova Scotia is expected to be good over the next 5 years.
The profession of psychology is regulated by the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP). To register as a psychologist, individuals must have a graduate master's (MSc) or doctoral (PhD) degree, a period of supervised work experience and pass the required examinations. To work in Nova Scotia, you must be a Registered Psychologist or in the process of writing the exam as a Candidate Register.

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia:

Employment opportunities are good in this local area.
Psychologists in this region usually work in hospitals or publicly funded agencies.
There have been continuing vacancies at area hospitals in the region for psychologists with a PhD.
Potential employers include but are not limited to: Bryson Counselling and Consulting Inc., Cape Breton District Health Authority and Eskasoni Social Work Service.

Halifax and Surrounding Areas, Nova Scotia:

Patient demand for this service is very high.
Some specialties are more difficult to recruit than others, with child and neuro-psychologists being among the hardest occupations to staff.
In the private sector there is quite a high demand for Child Psychologists and those who can do various types of testing, such as personality testing and educational assessment.
There are currently not enough psychologists to fill available vacancies.
Potential employers include but are not limited to: Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Hospital, IWK Health Center.

Prince Edward Island

PEI is facing a critical shortage of psychologists.
Approximately half of the positions for psychologists in P.E.I.'s health-care sector are waiting to be filled.

You can start looking for a job in Canada as a Psychologist by using our Canada Job Search Tool.