All About Clinical Psychologists
Job Description: Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests, and formulate and administer programs of treatment.
Life As a Clinical Psychologist: What Do They Do?
- 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.
- Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
- Develop, direct, and participate in training programs for staff and students.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate activities of staff and interns engaged in patient assessment and treatment.
- Plan and develop accredited psychological service programs in psychiatric centers or hospitals, in collaboration with psychiatrists and other professional staff.
- Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.
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What Every Clinical Psychologist Should Know
Clinical Psychologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Other Clinical Psychologist Job Titles
- Behavior Specialist
- Clinical Director
- Licensed Psychologist Director
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Behavioral Therapist
Clinical Psychologist Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 147,500 jobs for Clinical Psychologist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 21,000 new jobs for Clinical Psychologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 12,100 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Clinical Psychologist are Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Clinical Psychologist
The typical yearly salary for Clinical Psychologists is somewhere between $44,040 and $129,310.
Clinical Psychologists who work in California, Oregon, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Clinical Psychologists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $69,070 |
Alaska | $91,450 |
Arizona | $66,040 |
Arkansas | $69,000 |
California | $108,350 |
Colorado | $85,470 |
Connecticut | $90,870 |
Delaware | $78,850 |
District of Columbia | $95,500 |
Florida | $76,190 |
Georgia | $89,190 |
Hawaii | $94,550 |
Idaho | $64,270 |
Illinois | $75,180 |
Indiana | $73,350 |
Iowa | $85,260 |
Kansas | $65,320 |
Kentucky | $64,330 |
Louisiana | $86,630 |
Maine | $75,620 |
Maryland | $79,820 |
Massachusetts | $86,490 |
Michigan | $83,210 |
Minnesota | $85,860 |
Mississippi | $67,570 |
Missouri | $76,480 |
Montana | $63,720 |
Nebraska | $66,510 |
Nevada | $83,760 |
New Hampshire | $84,270 |
New Jersey | $98,470 |
New Mexico | $73,600 |
New York | $94,140 |
North Carolina | $77,470 |
North Dakota | $87,090 |
Ohio | $75,710 |
Oklahoma | $60,760 |
Oregon | $103,870 |
Pennsylvania | $83,610 |
Rhode Island | $83,030 |
South Carolina | $63,050 |
South Dakota | $73,900 |
Tennessee | $69,510 |
Texas | $73,650 |
Utah | $80,920 |
Vermont | $77,670 |
Virginia | $80,380 |
Washington | $73,840 |
West Virginia | $59,200 |
Wisconsin | $83,420 |
Wyoming | $78,360 |
What Tools do Clinical Psychologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Clinical Psychologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Spreadsheet software
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Statistical software
- Athena Software Penelope Case Management
- Testing software
- ICANotes
- Noldus Information Technology The Observer
- Anasazi Software Client Data System
- Mdansby The PsychReport
- SpectraSoft AppointmentsPRO
- TheraManager
- DocuTrac QuicDoc
- Blueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record Keeper
- Clinivate Clinitrak
- Bluewater Management Systems BMCASE
- Core Solutions Care Enterprise
How do I Become a Clinical Psychologist?
Education needed to be a Clinical Psychologist:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Clinical Psychologist?
Where Clinical Psychologists Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Clinical Psychologists employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Clinical Psychologist might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Clinical Psychologist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Matthew Burke via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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