Career In Clinical Psychology

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist with a more extensive background in psychology and puts more emphasis on experimental psychological research. A clinical psychologist is more likely to work in health care setting with patients with more severe disorders.

Two commonly pursued degrees are a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. Having a Ph.D. allows you to work in mental health care facilities and settings, hospitals, private practices, research, teaching, and consulting. To gain your Ph.D., you must have 4-5 years of graduate school, 1-2 years of internship, and possibly a postdoctoral position.

Having a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology gives less emphasis on research that a Ph.D. degree. You must have 4 years of graduate school and one year of internship.

Different programs have different required courses but it is usually recommended that you take courses in: statistics, experimental methods, biological bases of behavior, personality, psychopathology, and social groups. Admissions to clinical psychology programs are highly competitive.

A Clinical Psychologist makes $80-120/hr. in a private practice. This effects your lifestyle in many ways. You need to deal with patient s severe mental cases. You could be affected by other people s problems. But this job can also be very rewarding. If you are able to reach out and help someone, the you fell better about yourself as well.