Job Ideas for People With a Masters in Clinical Psychology
Psychology is a broad field, and one that provides many career opportunities. With a master's degree in clinical psychology, a number of doors will be open to you. Fortunately, jobs are not limited to therapy and counseling. Your graduate degree, natural ability of reading people and empathetic nature can place you ahead of the competition no matter what field you choose to explore.
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Definition of Clinical Psychology
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According to the Psychology Department at West Chester University, clinical psychology deals with the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of individuals with psychological problems. A master's degree in clinical psychology allows you to provide mental health services; however, it does not allow you to prescribe medication or give medical advice.
Types of Jobs
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Positions in the clinical psychology field include research; government; hospitals; schools; and private practice positions.
Individuals with clinical psychology degrees usually have conducted research within their major. For those who are passionate about making new discoveries about psychology, research is a rewarding path to follow. Government jobs include working with social services and non-profit agencies to advocate a specific cause in the mental health field. Hospital positions can include crisis and/or trauma intervention, assessment of suicidality and diagnosis of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists can also have careers in teaching at the community college level. With extensive experience and numerous publications, teaching at the university level is also a possibility. Working in private practice is a popular career choice for clinical psychologists. You can open an office and see your own clients or share an office with another professional.
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Benefits of a Career in Clinical Psychology
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Careers in clinical psychology offer many benefits. There is flexibility and overlap in many clinical psychology jobs. For example, clinical psychologists can provide therapy in addition to teaching courses if they choose.
There is also variety in many clinical psychology positions. The clients are never the same, and each client brings an interesting story. Clinical psychologists also have the opportunity to provide a humanitarian function in society. Helping others face and overcome their problems is rewarding and benefits society as a whole.
Downsides of a Career in Clinical Psychology
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There are a few potential downsides to a career in clinical psychology that should be considered. First, you must be very emotionally invested in your work. Second, there will always very difficult cases that will make you feel uncomfortable, concerned or threatened.
There are also many logistical issues. There is paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork. Additionally, there is always the possibility of malpractice lawsuits and/or reprimand from the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Tips
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Research various graduate school programs. Compare and contrast programs to see which specialization stands out most to you. Also, contact your professors and ask for advice about fields in psychology to explore; their experiences are invaluable. Attend events that highlight "insider information" of psychological professions, such as private practice visits to networking social hours. Take psychological tests to determine what careers may interest you. These can include personality and vocational assessments.
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