• Government career options in psychologyUS Supreme Court image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com
  
  Psychologists work with patients in order to study the mental and behavioral processes of individuals. The government employs psychologists for a number of reasons, including working with soldiers after returning from deployment, interviewing suspects and victims involved in criminal cases and counseling police officers after a traumatic case of an officer-involved crime. A variety of career specialties are available for psychologists seeking employment in the government sector.
  
  

Forensic Psychologist

• Forensic psychologists work hand in hand with legal professionals such as attorneys, judges and law enforcement officials to help understand the psychological reasoning of a case. They may be called upon to testify as an expert witness at trials, providing their findings on the mental condition of a defendant. Three specialties are available in the field of forensic psychology: family court, working with child custody cases or child abuse allegations; civil court, assessing mental competency and providing therapy to crime victims; or criminal court, during which psychologists work with law enforcement officials to analyze the suspect's mental capacity and behavior patterns, and working with witnesses and victims before testifying.
  
  

Clinical Psychologist

• Clinical psychologists concentrate on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Government-employed clinical psychologists may work for branches of the military to counsel soldiers who have returned from deployment and may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They may also work with law enforcement officials after a traumatic event, such as the loss of a fellow officer. Psychologists use a variety of approaches in their treatments, including counseling and prescription medications.
  
  

Counseling Psychologists

• The government may also employ counseling psychologists to work with employees who are experiencing a difficult time. These psychologists may be referred to as counselors or social workers, and work with patients to overcome stresses involved with everyday life. Patients may need assistance adjusting to divorce, workplace troubles, financial stresses and addiction issues. Psychologists meet with patients on an as-needed basis, and may prescribe medications in order to help patients cope with their problems.