Career Outlook for Those with a Clinical Psychology Degree

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Clinical psychology is a crucial field in psychology; it is all about the scientific study and treatment of human dysfunction. Also, people trained in clinical psychology engage in responsibilities such as promoting new ways of behaving, feeling or thinking in order to enhance the well-being of a patient. Clinical psychology experts formulate hypothesis and generate data in order to test their reliability. A 2006 statistics showed that almost 34% of people with a degree in psychology were self-employed. It is important to state that a doctoral degree and license are necessary to become a private practitioner as a clinical psychologist.

Job/Work Outlook for Clinical Psychologists

People with clinical psychology who undertake group practices or work in counseling centers, hospitals or independent outfits comprise of the largest sector of those with degree in psychology. The different aspects that clinical psychologists deal with include the following:

•Treating emotionally and mentally distressed individuals
•Dealing with physical issues related to injuries or illnesses
•They also handle other personal crisis such as traumas that come with the death of a loved one or divorce.

As a result of the sensitive nature of these tasks handled by clinical psychologists, it is required that a clinical psychologist must be emotionally secure and mature, as well as possess the ability to show compassion, sensitivity and excellent communication skills.

The less critical tasks undertaken by clinical psychologists include the following:

•Interviewing and observing hospital patients
•Designing and implementing modification programs associated with behavioral issues
•Administering diagnostic tests

Other responsibilities of clinical psychologists include counseling, evaluating, and helping people find techniques that would work best in adapting to major life changes. They also undertake the responsibility of referring a patient to a general or special physician.

Remuneration

The remuneration or salary of a clinical psychologist is also rewarding. Based on the information curled from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual salary of someone with a degree in clinical psychology is between $45,000 and $78,000 as of 2009. The range can also be between $35,000 and $102,000 in certain cases. So, becoming a clinical psychologist is all-round rewarding.

Career Development

Where a clinical psychologist has a professional recommendation, such person can obtain certification as a specialist. However, the person must have two to four years experience and must pass the psychologists’ specialty certification exam.

Work Locations or Work Places for Clinical Psychologists

Typically, clinical psychologists work in wide range of locations that include the following:

•Colleges
•Clinics
•Community centers
•Private practice facilities – which could be group or independent offices
•Medical schools
•Rehab centers
•…including several other similar locations and facilities.

Further Considerations

Clinical psychologists who embark on private practice usually schedule their own hours and have their own independent offices. They frequently attend to patients on weekends or every other evening in order to meet the different schedules of each patient. In similar manner, clinical psychologists working in hospitals as counselors may also run shift duties, this is also true about clinical psychologists working in nursing homes. Those working in a university may schedule their time to suit different tasks such as teaching, administrative duties, private consultations, as well as research.