Health Psychologist
Health Psychologists apply psychological principles to health and illness. They work to promote healthy lifestyles, help people cope with medical conditions, and improve healthcare services. For instance, they design interventions to help patients quit smoking or adhere to medication, and they study how to improve doctor–patient communication or encourage screening attendance. A Health Psychologist understands the emotional aspects of health and uses behavioural science to support positive change. They may work with individuals e.g. chronic illness management or at the population level e.g. public health campaigns.
What the Role Involves
Health Psychologists undertake a variety of tasks, including:
-
Behaviour Change Interventions: Use psychological theory to identify unhealthy behaviours (e.g. smoking, poor diet, inactivity) and design strategies to change them. This can involve one-on-one counselling or community programs to encourage exercise, healthy eating or stress reduction.
-
Preventive Health: Promote positive health behaviours (like vaccination, health checks or dental hygiene) and develop educational materials. They may run workshops or media campaigns on public health topics.
-
Patient Support: Work with people living with illness (cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, etc.) to help them adjust psychologically. For example, they teach coping skills for pain management or self-care techniques to reduce anxiety about illness.
-
System Improvement: Consult to health services on better care delivery. For instance, a Health Psychologist might train doctors in effective communication skills or help design patient-friendly health leaflets.
-
Research and Evaluation: Collect data to assess outcomes of health interventions and contribute to evidence-based practice. They often analyse behaviour patterns and report findings to improve services.
Career Progression Opportunities
Qualified Health Psychologists work in diverse settings – primary care (GP practices, community clinics), secondary/tertiary care (hospitals), public health departments, the voluntary sector or academia. They may take on senior roles such as Consultant Health Psychologist or Head of Psychology Services, overseeing teams and strategic programs. Some specialise further (for example, as Diabetes Educators or in cardiac rehabilitation). With experience, Health Psychologists can move into leadership, teaching, or research-intensive roles, influencing health policy or training future psychologists.
Why Work at GMMH
GMMH’s Health Psychology team works across physical and mental health care, offering a wide scope of projects. You’ll join a large, friendly Trust that invests in training and research – we encourage our employees to embark on a research journey. The Trust supports CPD and fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration. With Manchester’s diverse population, GMMH provides rich opportunities to make a tangible impact on public health. The emphasis on staff wellbeing and development makes GMMH an excellent place to build a Health Psychology career.
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust