Psychology is the study of human behavior and mental and emotional processes. It involves both practical applications — such as psychotherapy, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatments — as well as academic applications, including research and clinical trials.
Psychologists study the conscious and unconscious mind and all of its inner workings. They may specialize in cognition, emotional regulation, child development, personality, or a particular mental health disorder. They seek to understand the role that the emotional mind plays in human behavior and experience, as well as mental health disorders, so that we can all live more wholesome, balanced lives.
There are many branches of psychology, including clinical psychology, experimental psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, social psychology. Psychologists may work in private practice; they may be researchers or professors; or they may act as advisors to health-related or professional organizations.