What Does a Clinical Psychologist Do?

A clinical psychologist helps people deal with their problems, adjust to life's difficulties, and change their behavior for the better. Typically they work with people who need more intensive or longer-term intervention than those seeing a counseling psychologist, though the positions are similar in many ways. A clinical psychologist might have clients with chronic conditions such as anxiety and panic disorder, who have endured child abuse, or who have physical conditions causing psychological problems.

Geography

Most psychologists are clinicians who typically work in counseling centers, mental health clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. Those working in hospitals and nursing homes help individuals and their families deal with the psychological difficulties of physical trauma such as strokes, spinal cord injuries, or debilitating accidents. They also work with people admitted because of alcohol or drug addiction.

Function

Clinical psychologists address issues such as divorce, death, anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, eating disorders, and relationship issues. They help emotionally disturbed people adjust to life. Because they cannot prescribe drugs for treatment, they refer patients to a psychiatrist or medical doctor if a prescription is advisable. They sometimes work with physicians to develop and implement treatment programs. Some conduct group psychotherapy sessions with families, or groups of individuals with similar problems.

Features

More experienced clinical psychologists may begin working in forensic psychology, where they are asked to evaluate the mental health of criminal suspects, write legal reports and act as expert witnesses in criminal cases. Other clinical psychologists act as consultants to social, educational, and welfare agencies on specific cases. They may evaluate, plan, develop, and implement mental health programs. Some go on to conduct research in universities or hospitals on specific mental health issues.

Types

Different specialties are available within clinical psychology as well. Health psychologists, for example, work with people who have psychological issues preventing them from accomplishing health-related goals such as losing weight. Neuropsychologists often assist patients who have suffered from a stroke or head injury. Some clinical psychologists work exclusively with children and teenagers who have been traumatized, while others help the elderly through difficulties such as losing several loved ones in a short time frame.

Considerations

Clinical psychologists must have at least a master's degree, and most complete a Ph.D. Their work is rewarding, but can be difficult because they deal with people's problems throughout the workday and regularly encounter depressing, disturbing and frustrating situations. Clinical psychologists typically work full-time with a set work schedule that includes some evening and weekend hours.

Resources

• Differences between clinical and counseling psychologists