So I'm about to get my BS in Psych and I am working on a personal training certification degree. I'm thinking of doing something such as helping people with mental disabilities workout. Are there any other types of jobs like this that I can do with a duel psychology and personal training certification?
You could work as a recreational therapist.. There's a facility near my university, it was formerly known as a Retardation Center but changed the name to Regional Center.. My university sent many exercise students there to do practicums/internships. That's about the only type of profession I can think of that you seem to be aiming for.
IMHO you could be a great PT. Half of my job is psychology, behavioral and mental. I am glad I took some psych classes when getting my undergrad, cause it paid off. Being able to help people change their life outside the gym is the biggest obstacle a PT can face, and a little human psychology can sometimes be the answer, because everyone has different mental and emotional needs. As far as specializing, I am not sure on careers in the field, maybe in extreme weight loss clients. But every PT should take some psych classes to better understand why their clients act and think the way they do. It only makes you that much more valuable as a trainer!
[QUOTE=Footballa_19;1017218213]IMHO you could be a great PT. Half of my job is psychology, behavioral and mental. I am glad I took some psych classes when getting my undergrad, cause it paid off. Being able to help people change their life outside the gym is the biggest obstacle a PT can face, and a little human psychology can sometimes be the answer, because everyone has different mental and emotional needs. As far as specializing, I am not sure on careers in the field, maybe in extreme weight loss clients. But every PT should take some psych classes to better understand why their clients act and think the way they do. It only makes you that much more valuable as a trainer![/QUOTE]
With another certificate in hypnosis you could look into become a sports hypnotist. Giving local athletes the edge in performance enhancement.
I too have a psychology degree - which is not an exercise physiology degree - so make the most of the way it differentiates you from other trainers!
Dealing with motivation, dietary behavior modification/habit-forming, and emotional eating are all relevant areas for fitness.
Hypnotherapy for weight loss and smoking cessation can be very helpful, too. Hypnosis is a great way to apply a psych degree without going through the rigmarole of practicum, licensing and supervision. You deal with high-functioning clients (who are more likely to be able to pay).
One of the most important factors that influence client outcomes is - [I]rapport[/I]. Degree types and licenses are not accurate predictors of client success. Those vital eating habits can be very psychologically-influenced.
Personally with one hypnosis session my whole eating habit changed forever. Food was no longer the reward it once had been. Which for me was more critical for weight loss than hitting the gym heavy for months and months.
Good luck!
[QUOTE=WannaGetJACKED;1017175543]So I'm about to get my BS in Psych and I am working on a personal training certification degree. I'm thinking of doing something such as helping people with mental disabilities workout. Are there any other types of jobs like this that I can do with a duel psychology and personal training certification?[/QUOTE]
PT certification degree? Is there a such thing?
GNC and/or Vitamin Shoppe...
For one, if you want to be a PT you shouldn't have the MINDSET of an employee and having a JOB because the most successful PT's are self-employed business owners, usually working from home in the weekends writing plans, and then at a studio, park or gym where they rent a space for $250-350 per week...
So I would start by asking yourself if you want to be a business owner first, and then decide which NECHE market you want to target in the health and fitness field as a qualified personal trainer.
What were your internships in?
burger king? walmart?
[QUOTE=nickdavid;1018567513]For one, if you want to be a PT you shouldn't have the MINDSET of an employee and having a JOB because the most successful PT's are self-employed business owners, usually working from home in the weekends writing plans, and then at a studio, park or gym where they rent a space for $250-350 per week...
So I would start by asking yourself if you want to be a business owner first, and then decide which NECHE market you want to target in the health and fitness field as a qualified personal trainer.[/QUOTE]depends on how you define"successful". Are we talking ability to get results, or ability to get people to write you a check?