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Clinical Psychologist

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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.

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.

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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.

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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:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Clinical Psychologist?

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Where Clinical Psychologists Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Clinical Psychologists employed by various industries.

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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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