There are many great career choices that you can make for your future. Some are going to allow you to work with children, some with animals, some in an office, and others in a plant. But one career choice that you can make that will be really rewarding and will help you to have a unique challenge on a day to day basis is to work in clinical psychology.
Before you jump into the world of clinical psychology, you will need to learn as much about it as possible. There are so many aspects of this career option that you can choose to help you succeed. Some of the things that you need to know about a career in clinical psychology includes:
What is Clinical Psychology?
The first thing that we need to look at to understand this great career is what it is all about. When we talk about clinical psychology, we are looking at the practice of assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing emotional and mental disorders. This could range from conditions like depression, eating disorders, and anxiety all the way to more severe conditions.
Many clinical psychologists are going to work on a subspecialty to help them get their work done. This could include:
- Child mental health
- Learning disabilities
- Adult mental health
- Substance abuse
- Emotional disturbances
- Geriatrics
- Health psychology
The main job of these professionals is to help assess their patient to look for a behavioral, emotional, or mental disorder. And if one is found, these professionals will be able to help recommend a treatment option. There are different treatments that these professionals can use including group therapy, family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like for a Clinical Psychologist?
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These professionals are going to work hard all day long. They can consult with or provide consultation to other therapists, doctors, and clinicians concerning the care that is given to the patient. They can look for a number of behavioral, emotional, and psychological issues and can work to diagnose disorders, using some different information they get along the way.
Some of the things that are found in the typical day for a clinical psychologist will include:
- They can counsel individuals and groups regarding a variety of problems like family situations, substance abuse and stress. The goal is to help modify a behavior or to help improve their vocational, social, and personal skills.
- Write reports on their clients while maintaining the paperwork as required.
- Discuss the best treatment option for some of the problems that show up in their clients.
- Spend time interacting with their clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to make sure the patient does better.
Use many treatment methods to help the patient based on what will work the best for that patient.
The clinical psychologist will spend their time utilizing their skills and education to understand the patient and what is going on. They can then use that information to help provide the best treatment option for their patients each time.
How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?
As you take a look at how many years of school you will need to do the work and consider whether this is the right career for you, you may want to figure out how much a professional in this career is going to make. The good news is that this is a career that is going to pay quite a bit, but it will depend on your experience and how long you have been in the field.
The average salary for professionals in this career will be more than $89,000 a year. The exact amount that you are able to make will depend on a number of factors such as how long you have worked in the field, your education, and even what area you choose to work in.
For example, those who do not have experience in this field will make closer to $46,000 a year on average in this role. Those who are going to have the highest education and have done the work for longer can make a lot more, with some making more than $138,000 a year for the same kind of job. You can shop around to find the right salary for you.
Where Can These Professionals Work?
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As a clinical psychologist, you may wonder where you are able to work with your degree. These clinical psychologists could work for a private or a government hospital, a mental health facility, or even do practice in private. It is also possible for them to work in a university to help conduct the necessary research in their field.
In some cases, corporations may hire one of these professionals as someone to counsel and help employees who may have mental or emotional disorders. This can provide a better work and life balance for the employees.
Educational Requirements
Becoming a clinical psychologist is not always easy and it can require an extensive amount of training and education to get this kind of career. If you would like to get started, you can go after a Bachelor’s degree in either psychology or clinical psychology, along with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. A Ph.d could be useful as well.
The specific niche that you choose in this field will make a big difference in how much time you will need to spend in school for the best results. Some find that getting a Master’s will be a good place for them to choose and others will go on to receive a Doctorate degree to help them open more career opportunities than before.
Choosing a Career in Clinical Psychology
When you are looking for a career that allows you to help other people and makes sure that each day is going to present something new and a great challenge, you need to choose a career in clinical psychology. Take some time to look through the facts above and see why this is an amazing career for you to choose.
