What Do Clinical Psychologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Clinical Psychologists diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests, and formulate and administer programs of treatment. They also interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.

Other tasks include:

• Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
• Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
• Counsel individuals and groups regarding problems, such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations, to modify behavior or to improve personal, social, or vocational adjustment.
• Discuss the treatment of problems with clients.
• Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
• Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care.

We asked Clinical Psychologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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78% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 88% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Clinical Psychologists consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care. They identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.

A typical day for a Clinical Psychologist will also include:

• Counsel individuals and groups regarding problems, such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations, to modify behavior or to improve personal, social, or vocational adjustment.
• Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
• Discuss the treatment of problems with clients.
• Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
• Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.

We asked some Clinical Psychologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	88% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	21% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	99% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	52% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	67% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Clinical Psychologists also consult reference material, such as textbooks, manuals, or journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, or develop approaches to treatment. They may also maintain current knowledge of relevant research.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Clinical Psychologists Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary. They might also Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.

In addition, they Provide occupational, educational, or other information to individuals so that they can make educational or vocational plans.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Plan and develop accredited psychological service programs in psychiatric centers or hospitals, in collaboration with psychiatrists and other professional staff.

To some Clinical Psychologists, it is also their responsibility to Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Clinical Psychologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

http://www.apsanet.org/

http://www.asppb.net/

http://www.naspaa.org/