Careers in Clinical Psychology

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Clinical Psychologists DoSalaryDegree OptionsShould You Become a Clinical Psychologist?

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Table of Contents

What Clinical Psychologists Do

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Degree Options

Should You Become a Clinical Psychologist?

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Clinical psychologistsspecialize in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. They often work in medical settings, clinical psychologists are not medical doctors and do notprescribe medicationsin most states. Clinical psychology also represents the single largestsubfieldofpsychologists.While all clinical psychologists are interested in mental health, there are actually a wide variety of sub-specialties within this field. Some of these specialty areas include child mental health, adult mental health, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, substance abuse, geriatrics, andhealth psychology.At a GlanceClinical psychologists help people who are dealing with mental, emotional, social, and behavioral problems. They assess an individual, make a diagnosis, and provide psychological treatments. Some clinical psychologists specialize in providing certain types of therapy, working with specific populations, or treating specific mental disorders.What Clinical Psychologists DoClinical psychologists specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health issues, including:Behavioral problemsSubstance use issuesCognitive problemsProblems adjusting to sudden life changesTraumaEmotional challengesMental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophreniaInterpersonal problemsRelationship issuesDevelopmental problemsClinical psychologists often work in hospitals, private practice, or academic settings. Clinicians are trained in a range of techniques and theoretical approaches. Some specialize in treating certainpsychological disorderswhile others work with clients experiencing a wide variety of problems.Clinical psychologists also treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.In addition to working with clients, clinical psychologists have to keep detailed records of client assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic goals, and treatment notes. These records help clinicians and clients track progress and are often needed for billing and insurance purposes.How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?As of 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for clinical psychologists is $90,130.PayScale says the median salary for experienced clinical psychologists is $89,716. The top pay for experienced professionals in this field is $124,000.The U.S. Department of Labor’sOccupational Outlook Handbookreports that in 2022, there are 67,500 clinical and counseling psychologist jobs. Employment in clinical and counseling psychology is projected to grow 11% through 2032.The rising need for qualified mental health care professionals will contribute to a demand for clinical psychologists.Psychologist is ranked 49th on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Jobs” list. While clinical psychologists do face job stress, the flexibility of the career and the ability to help others are two major benefits.How Much Do Therapists and Psychologists Make?Clinical Psychologist Degree OptionsWhile some individuals find work with a master’s degree, most positions require a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Some graduate programs accept applicants with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, but most encourage students to get abachelor’s degree in psychologybefore pursuing graduate study in clinical psychology.There are two major training models for doctoral degrees:PhD: The traditionalPhD in Psychology(or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) emphasizes the role of research and science.PsyD: ThePsyD degree(Doctor of Psychology) primarily focuses on clinical and practitioner work.PsyD programs are attractive to many students because they typically take a year less time to complete than a PhD On the other hand, PhD programs tend to provide better funding for graduate students.Should You Become a Clinical Psychologist?Clinical psychologists need to have excellent communication skills. It is also important to be creative when developing treatment plans and approaches.BenefitsHelping people overcome problems can be extremely rewarding.Differing client needs and challenges allow clinicians to search for creative solutions.Opportunities for self-employment.DownsidesInsurance companies require that clinicians keep extensive client records, so there is a considerable amount of paperwork.There is a risk of burnout due to the demanding nature of therapy.Clinical psychologists often work long hours with clients who can be demanding, argumentative, or unstable.Before you decide on a career in clinical psychology, contact local human services providers about volunteer opportunities that may be available. Clinical psychology can be both a demanding and deeply rewarding field and volunteer experiences can help you decide if a career in clinical psychology is right for you.What This Means For YouIf you are interested in a career as a clinical psychologist, its important to think about what you might want to specialize in. You might opt to work with certain populations (such as children, teens, or adults) or in providing specific types of treatments (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy). Having an idea of what you might like to do can help you create an educational plan that will help you reach your goals.

Clinical psychologistsspecialize in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. They often work in medical settings, clinical psychologists are not medical doctors and do notprescribe medicationsin most states. Clinical psychology also represents the single largestsubfieldofpsychologists.

While all clinical psychologists are interested in mental health, there are actually a wide variety of sub-specialties within this field. Some of these specialty areas include child mental health, adult mental health, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, substance abuse, geriatrics, andhealth psychology.

At a GlanceClinical psychologists help people who are dealing with mental, emotional, social, and behavioral problems. They assess an individual, make a diagnosis, and provide psychological treatments. Some clinical psychologists specialize in providing certain types of therapy, working with specific populations, or treating specific mental disorders.

At a Glance

Clinical psychologists help people who are dealing with mental, emotional, social, and behavioral problems. They assess an individual, make a diagnosis, and provide psychological treatments. Some clinical psychologists specialize in providing certain types of therapy, working with specific populations, or treating specific mental disorders.

Clinical psychologists specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health issues, including:

Clinical psychologists often work in hospitals, private practice, or academic settings. Clinicians are trained in a range of techniques and theoretical approaches. Some specialize in treating certainpsychological disorderswhile others work with clients experiencing a wide variety of problems.

Clinical psychologists also treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.

In addition to working with clients, clinical psychologists have to keep detailed records of client assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic goals, and treatment notes. These records help clinicians and clients track progress and are often needed for billing and insurance purposes.

How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?

As of 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for clinical psychologists is $90,130.PayScale says the median salary for experienced clinical psychologists is $89,716. The top pay for experienced professionals in this field is $124,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor’sOccupational Outlook Handbookreports that in 2022, there are 67,500 clinical and counseling psychologist jobs. Employment in clinical and counseling psychology is projected to grow 11% through 2032.The rising need for qualified mental health care professionals will contribute to a demand for clinical psychologists.

Psychologist is ranked 49th on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Jobs” list. While clinical psychologists do face job stress, the flexibility of the career and the ability to help others are two major benefits.

How Much Do Therapists and Psychologists Make?

Clinical Psychologist Degree Options

While some individuals find work with a master’s degree, most positions require a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Some graduate programs accept applicants with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, but most encourage students to get abachelor’s degree in psychologybefore pursuing graduate study in clinical psychology.

There are two major training models for doctoral degrees:

PsyD programs are attractive to many students because they typically take a year less time to complete than a PhD On the other hand, PhD programs tend to provide better funding for graduate students.

Clinical psychologists need to have excellent communication skills. It is also important to be creative when developing treatment plans and approaches.

BenefitsHelping people overcome problems can be extremely rewarding.Differing client needs and challenges allow clinicians to search for creative solutions.Opportunities for self-employment.DownsidesInsurance companies require that clinicians keep extensive client records, so there is a considerable amount of paperwork.There is a risk of burnout due to the demanding nature of therapy.Clinical psychologists often work long hours with clients who can be demanding, argumentative, or unstable.

BenefitsHelping people overcome problems can be extremely rewarding.Differing client needs and challenges allow clinicians to search for creative solutions.Opportunities for self-employment.

Helping people overcome problems can be extremely rewarding.

Differing client needs and challenges allow clinicians to search for creative solutions.

Opportunities for self-employment.

DownsidesInsurance companies require that clinicians keep extensive client records, so there is a considerable amount of paperwork.There is a risk of burnout due to the demanding nature of therapy.Clinical psychologists often work long hours with clients who can be demanding, argumentative, or unstable.

Insurance companies require that clinicians keep extensive client records, so there is a considerable amount of paperwork.

There is a risk of burnout due to the demanding nature of therapy.

Clinical psychologists often work long hours with clients who can be demanding, argumentative, or unstable.

Before you decide on a career in clinical psychology, contact local human services providers about volunteer opportunities that may be available. Clinical psychology can be both a demanding and deeply rewarding field and volunteer experiences can help you decide if a career in clinical psychology is right for you.

What This Means For YouIf you are interested in a career as a clinical psychologist, its important to think about what you might want to specialize in. You might opt to work with certain populations (such as children, teens, or adults) or in providing specific types of treatments (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy). Having an idea of what you might like to do can help you create an educational plan that will help you reach your goals.

What This Means For You

If you are interested in a career as a clinical psychologist, its important to think about what you might want to specialize in. You might opt to work with certain populations (such as children, teens, or adults) or in providing specific types of treatments (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy). Having an idea of what you might like to do can help you create an educational plan that will help you reach your goals.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.2015 APA Survey of Psychology Health Service Providers.American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.PayScale.Average experienced clinical psychologist salary.U.S. News and World Report.Psychologist overview.American Psychological Association.A career in clinical or counseling psychology.American Psychological Association.Funding stats.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.2015 APA Survey of Psychology Health Service Providers.American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.PayScale.Average experienced clinical psychologist salary.U.S. News and World Report.Psychologist overview.American Psychological Association.A career in clinical or counseling psychology.American Psychological Association.Funding stats.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.2015 APA Survey of Psychology Health Service Providers.American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.PayScale.Average experienced clinical psychologist salary.U.S. News and World Report.Psychologist overview.American Psychological Association.A career in clinical or counseling psychology.American Psychological Association.Funding stats.

American Psychological Association.2015 APA Survey of Psychology Health Service Providers.

American Psychological Association.Clinical psychology.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Psychologists.Occupational Outlook Handbook.

PayScale.Average experienced clinical psychologist salary.

U.S. News and World Report.Psychologist overview.

American Psychological Association.A career in clinical or counseling psychology.

American Psychological Association.Funding stats.

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