Careers in Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is a subfield of psychology focused on mental health problems. Clinical psychologists work in private practice, hospitals, or schools to assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent mental disorders.

Sub-specialties in Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychologists often specialize in a particular area of mental health, such as:

• Child psychology
• Adult psychology
• Substance abuse counseling
• Family therapy
• Geriatric psychology
• Neuropsychology
• School psychology

What Clinical Psychologists Do

Clinical psychologists help individuals and families overcome mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. They may use a range of therapeutic techniques to help their clients.

Some everyday tasks of a clinical psychologist may include:

• Conducting individual, group, or family therapy sessions
• Administering psychological tests and assessments
• Developing treatment plans
• Providing crisis intervention services
• Consulting with other mental health professionals
• Writing reports and progress notes

Salary and Job Outlook for Clinical Psychologists

The median annual wage for clinical psychologists is $89,716 according to PayScale. Entry-level clinical psychologists can expect to earn around $60,000 per year, while experienced psychologists can make over $100,000.

The job outlook for clinical psychologists is expected to grow 11% over the next decade, faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

Education Requirements for Clinical Psychologists

To become a clinical psychologist, you will need a doctorate degree in clinical psychology or a closely related field. Most clinical psychologists earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, but some may earn a Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree.

Skills and Qualities of Successful Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists must have certain skills and qualities to be successful in their field, including:

• Strong communication and listening skills
• Empathy and compassion
• Patience and perseverance
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Research and analytical skills

Benefits and Downsides of a Career in Clinical Psychology

Benefits:

• Helping people overcome mental health issues can be very rewarding.
• Clinical psychologists have a lot of autonomy and flexibility in their work.
• There are many opportunities for advancement and specialization.

Downsides:

• Clinical psychologists often work long hours, including evenings and weekends.
• The work can be emotionally challenging and stressful.
• Clinical psychologists may have to deal with difficult or uncooperative clients.

How to Decide if a Career in Clinical Psychology Is Right for You

If you're interested in a career in clinical psychology, you should consider the following:

• Do you have the necessary skills and qualities to be successful in the field?
• Are you prepared for the long and challenging training process?
• Are you comfortable working with people with mental health issues?

If you answered yes to these questions, then a career in clinical psychology may be right for you.