What is a clinical psychologist?
A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide range of mental health problems and disorders.
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Discover our coursesWhat does a clinical psychologist do?
The specific duties vary depending on their area of expertise and the setting in which they work, but generally may include:
- Conducting assessments of an individual's mental health, including psychological tests, interviews, and observations.
- Based on their assessment, clinical psychologists may diagnose mental health problems and disorders such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other personality disorders.
- Develop treatment plans that may include individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and other forms of interventions.
- Clinical psychologists may provide therapy to help clients improve their mental health and wellbeing.
How to become a clinical psychologist?
To become a clinical psychologist in the UK, you typically need to complete the following steps:
- Obtain an undergraduate psychology degree, or complete a postgraduate conversion course, accredited to the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Obtain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – accredited by the BPS and approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HPCP).
- You will also need to have obtained relevant work experience, such as working as an assistant psychologist, before applying for the doctorate programme.
What skills do you need to become a clinical psychologist?
Clinical psychologists need a range of skills, including:
- Analytical and problem-solving skills to assess and diagnose mental health conditions and develop treatment plans tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
- Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with patients and healthcare professionals.
- Empathy to understand the experiences of patients and show compassion and sensitivity towards them.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to write reports, create treatment plans and communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals.
Where do clinical psychologists work?
Clinical psychologists work in a range of organisations, including:
- NHS hospitals and clinics: clinical psychologists work as part of multidisciplinary teams in hospitals and clinics, providing assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a range of mental health conditions.
- Universities and research institutions: clinical psychologists may work in academic or research settings, conducting research on mental health and developing new treatments and interventions.
- Charities and non-profit organizations: clinical psychologists may work for charities and non-profit organizations that provide mental health services to the community.
- In addition to being employed by organisations, clinical psychologists may work in a private practice, offering therapy and counselling services to individuals, couples, and families.
Useful links
- National Careers Service – Clinical Psychologist
- NHS Careers - Clinical Psychologist
- Prospects - Clinical Psychologist
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