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Who is a Clinical Psychologist?
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Viktor E Frankl
In careers as clinical psychologists, individuals diagnose and treat various kinds of emotional, mental, or behavioural disorders. Clinical psychologist careers require to undergo research on various kinds of behavioural disorders in order to understand how human psychology functions. According to research every third person in India is partly or completely left at the mercy of some of the other mental illnesses. It can be anxiety, eating disorder, depression, drug abuse, or learning disabilities. It is a Clinical Psychologist who helps in curing these people.
A career in clinical psychology in India that provides individuals and as well as families with regular and comprehensive mental and behavioural health treatment; collaboration with organisations and communities; education and guidance; and research-based practice. Students can study various clinical psychology courses, such as Psychology to become Clinical Psychologists. Here, in this article we will discuss how to become a clinical psychologist, clinical psychology as a profession, what do clinical psychologists do, clinical psychologist salary, the work of clinical psychologists, and where clinical psychologists work.
Quick Facts for Clinical Psychologist
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Industry
Healthcare
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Average Salary in India
₹33500
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a clinical psychologist is gender-neutral, people from any gender group can pursue the profession. As long as the person is good in his or her job, gender does not matter. An individual's gender does not provide any hindrance to one's career growth.
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Any special needs
Yes
A career as a clinical psychologist may or may not be suitable for individuals with special needs. It depends on the type of special needs they possess. If it does not affect the efficient functioning required in the job role, then candidates with special needs can opt for this career.
Table of Contents for Clinical Psychologist
What is the role of Clinical Psychologist?
Are you wondering what does a clinical psychologist do? A career as a clinical psychologist requires counselling clients to recognise their physical, mental and behavioural problems. Individuals who opt for a career as a clinical psychologist can identify any current or possible conditions through findings, interviews, and examinations. Instead, they devise a recovery plan together with the client as per the needs of the client.
Clinical psychologist job description includes tracking the progress of the client to ensure that the course of action suits their needs and to change it if appropriate. Ambition and desire are the two most important things to succeed. Professional changers currently working in areas such as education, social work, and clinical care may consider the skills and interpersonal strengths connected with those required for a Psychological job.
Types of a Clinical Psychologist
There are various types of a Clinical Psychologist careers and there are numerous Clinical Psychologist career options. Individuals can also opt for the various types of clinical psychology careers mentioned below.
Behavioural Health Psychologist: The behavioural psychology definition can be a study of the connection between our minds and our behaviour that depicts how we react depending on the thought process of the mind. Behavioural psychology is also known as behaviourism. Behavioural health psychologists usually work in person and group environments with clients to help them manage behavioural problems such as depression. They will work as a mental health professional and have other career openings with having a master's degree. It is considered one of the best options for a career as a Clinical Psychologist.
Counselling Psychologist: Generally, in a counselling work environment, they would meet clients, and discuss issues in a very personal and non-threatening way. Counselling psychology is one of the major careers clinical psychology offers. Counselling psychologists might listen first and then develop skills. Clinical psychologists work with clients to enhance their well-being by resolving physical, emotional, and mental problems that have adversely affected their lives. Counselling psychologist is a major sub-discipline of various psychologist types.
Medical Psychologist: Medical psychology is defined as the application of psychological principles to the practice of medicine. It is clearly comprehensive instead of being drug-oriented, for both physical and mental disorders. Medical psychologists deal with patients whose conduct has a detrimental effect on their physiological functioning. In a clinical psychology setting, patients will be discussing issues such as preventing disease and safe health and lifestyle.
Neuropsychologist: Students who are willing to enter the field of neuropsychology need an advanced qualification in clinical psychology. The research focuses on attitudes and brain functions. The key task would be to assess the severity of brain injury or brain damage by measuring the cognitive capacity of a patient. Patients with impaired brain function/activity and cognitive disabilities should be assessed, examined, tested, diagnosed, and treated using a range of clinical tests, tools, and techniques.
Geropsychologist: Geropsychology is a specialization of psychology that aims to address older adults' issues. Mental health problems, anxiety and ageing, stress, and age-related illnesses also expand for neuropsychologists to provide psychological counselling for older individuals. Geropsychologist helps older people to lead healthy lives even into their older years by delivering psychotherapy and approaches to address a range of disabilities, ageing problems, and difficulties.
Child Psychologist: Clinical psychologists for children concentrate on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses ranging from addiction to anxiety. Such practitioners work in a clinical environment, typically in private practice, and sometimes in a hospital, and therefore are qualified to offer techniques to deal with difficult disabilities. They evaluate individuals and carry out tests, and also provide cognitive behavioural therapy for the patient. Child psychologist jobs can be found in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres and juvenile homes.
What is the workplace/work environment of Clinical Psychologist like?
Are you wondering what do clinical psychologists do? Where do clinical psychologists work? Psychology jobs can be found in clinical settings, classrooms, research centres, and universities. Individuals who opt for a career as a clinical psychologist can operate in contemporary comfortable environments, depending on their location. They may spend time working with individuals to understand physical, emotional and behavioural issues in their lives. Clinical psychologists might also spend some time visiting patients, acquiring information from their everyday activities. They usually operate in healthy settings.
Does Clinical Psychologist require travelling?
Likely
In a career as a clinical psychologist, individuals provide travel opportunities both domestically and internationally frequently to individuals with counselling services to consider physical, mental, and behavioural problems in their lives. A clinical psychologist's travel requirements vary depending on their specialisation, roles and responsibilities.
Time Pressure
Likely
In career as clinical psychologist, individuals require working on weekends as well as in the evening hours. Numerous psychology works are based on part-time jobs. Most clinical psychologists operate approximately forty-five hours a week. So the time pressure for clinical psychologists is more when working independently.
How to become a Clinical Psychologist?
Steps to become a Clinical Psychologist
If you are interested in dealing with or studying the mental health of people. In today's world, we get to see a lot of people stressed, depressed, addicted and suffering from many such kinds of mental illnesses. If you see someone around you suffering from any of these and feel bad for him or her and want to do something for them, then a career as a Clinical Psychologist is the best career option for you. We have mentioned below the steps for how to become a Clinical Psychologist.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Clinical Psychologist?
Are you searching for how to become a clinical psychologist or you are wondering what are the clinical psychologist requirements? There are several skill sets required for efficient functioning for clinical psychologist's jobs. We have mentioned below crucial skills for establishing a successful career as a clinical psychologist.
Problem-Solving Ability: In psychology works, things do not get as expected, just as they do in any other profession. Problems continue growing up and they are required to be solved. Successful psychologists require innovative methods, and they need to be able to apply them quickly. In fact, excellently written research plans do allow specific issues that may interrupt work. Often unexpected circumstances occur, and to save the job they need to come together and make an adjustment. They need a collection of strategies prepared to ensure the research is going ahead.
Communication Skills: Communication is undoubtedly vital to any profession, but when researching human behaviour it is particularly necessary. Individuals who opt for a career as clinical psychologists need to be able to interact with clients and support them, while research psychologists have and are able to interpret conclusions accurately and clearly represent their findings. Therefore, it is considered one of the crucial skills for a career as a clinical psychologist.
Work Ethics: Psychologists have an immense responsibility, as in any profession that works with people. In a career as a clinical psychologist, individuals have the power to improve the lives of people and are also at their most emotional with strangers. It's important to have a clear ethical code to ensure the patients are healthy and well-being. It's important as a researcher, to build a hypothesis on a solid ethical foundation to get objective, practical results despite offending anybody.
Analytical Skills: Clinical psychologists perceive the knowledge they gather from observations, tests, and reports of their clients; such knowledge is assessed against guidelines that allow them to recognize and diagnose problems. The role of a psychologist requires one to be informed regarding treatments and experienced in designing appropriate care approaches dependent on the need. Individuals who opt for a career as clinical psychologists have to show good analytical abilities to be effective at this. They could fix problems, apply logic, analyze alternatives, make informed decisions and execute solutions.
Research Skills: Analysis should play a vital part, no matter what the position in psychology is. If the psychologists are doing their own tests and want to see whether they've been done before or are attempting to support a patient by knowing what other psychologists have witnessed, it's important to know how and where they need to find the details. There are thousands of academic journals out there, with empirical knowledge originating from decades back. It is important to find the information they want and to be able to analyse it effectively.
Numerical Ability: Though it does not sound obvious, psychologists need to have measurements in their lab. Scientists, particularly those who are working with quantitative data, are working through huge volumes of data that need to be analysed. Except for these skills, researchers will not begin to grasp what they are finding and how it is applicable to the broader human community and the psychologist would not be able to interpret the evidence as well as how to implement everything to the work. Therefore, numerical skills are crucial for efficient functioning in psychology works.
Science Skills: While identifying and curing illnesses, clinical psychologists use rigorous research and techniques which are scientifically proven. Human psychology is one of the major aspects of the field of medical science. Even if they do not need to memorise every concept or analysis, they should be familiar with general concepts and recognise how research and its results can be presented. In a career as a clinical psychologist, individuals should be excellent at using scientific thinking and logic to analyse information and interpret it logically while problem-solving. Science skills are essential for a career as a Clinical Psychologist.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Clinical Psychologist?
We have mentioned below certifications that individuals may opt for who want to establish a career as Clinical Psychologists.
IIM Calcutta Post Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management (PGCHM) | |
Certificate Programme in Hospital and Health Care Management |
Internship Availability
Internships are a perfect way to start a career in clinical psychology in India. This gives the appropriate orientation in the industry to the students. Internships help students to get prepared for the responsibility that comes with the profession. In order to acquire full-time clinical psychologist employment opportunities. Through the use of online recruitment portals, one can find several internship opportunities. Through internships, individuals get hands-on experience. Practically, students learn the skills necessary for clinical psychology such as expertise in research, analytical skills, communication, work ethics and other capabilities.
Clinical Psychologist Jobs and Salaries
Senior Clinical Psychologist
- Average Salary 35000
- Junior Level Salary 22000
- Senior Level Salary 85000
Job Description
Senior clinical psychologists carry out patient evaluations and treatment in order to diagnose and treat psychological issues that might have risen because of the mental state of the patient or the environment and the situations he or she has been facing.
Salary Description
For an entry-level senior psychologist, the total compensation is somewhere around 22,000 INR per month which includes bonuses, tips, and overtime pay. The mid-level salary for a senior clinical psychologist is 35,000 INR per month. After gaining industry experience and medical skills, candidates can expect a monthly payment of up to 85,000 INR.
Junior Clinical Psychologist
- Average Salary 32000
- Junior Level Salary 18000
- Senior Level Salary 70000
Job Description
Clinical psychologists work with clients to recognise their physical, mental, and behavioural problems. The psychologist can identify any current or possible conditions through findings, interviews, and examinations. Instead, they devise a recovery plan together with the client as per the needs of the client. Psychologists regularly track the progress of the client to ensure that the course of action suits their needs and to change it if appropriate.
Salary Description
The average total compensation of a junior clinical psychologist is somewhere between 30,000 INR to 35,000 INR per month, which includes bonuses, tips, and overtime pay. The entry-level salary for a junior clinical psychologist is around 18,000 INR to 20,000 INR per month. However, after gaining industry experience and job skills, a candidate can expect a top-level salary up to 70,000 INR per month.
What is the job outlook for Clinical Psychologist?
A career in clinical psychology in India provides employment opportunities in hospitals, research schools, clinics, and centres of rehabilitation. They can, therefore, set up separate consulting companies. The clinical psychologist requirements are projected to increase as individuals are becoming more conscious of the need for as well as the value of psychological services. Such practitioners may have been required to provide care to the elderly population in a range of environments to treat psychological and emotional problems, as well as to assist veterans and those who have suffered traumatic experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions for Clinical Psychologist
Que. What does a clinical psychologist do?
Ans.Clinical psychologists work with clients to recognise issues in their lives that could be physical, mental and behavioural. The psychologist can diagnose any current or possible disorders through observation, assessments and tests.
Que. How competitive is clinical psychology?
Ans.A career in clinical psychology in India as a discipline in the field of psychology is very competitive as it is an integrated degree programme. Individuals who opt for a career as a clinical psychologists can perform research, become instructors and practice individually as counsellors, and therefore they can and sometimes do perform as supervisors of programmes.
Que. Is a psychologist a therapist?
Ans.A psychologist also works hand in hand with a psychiatrist, who is a medical practitioner and therefore can prescribe medicine if the medicine is considered to be appropriate for the stabilisation of a patient. The aim of a therapist is to help individuals decide what is good and understand their emotions for solving problems.
Que. What can clinical psychologists specialize in?
Ans.A career in clinical psychology in India is a broad psychological field concentrating on the diagnosis and treatment of psychological, behavioural, and mental disorders. Some of the most common conditions that may have been identified involve difficulties in reading, drug abuse, schizophrenia, insomnia and anxiety disorders.
Que. What are the top clinical psychology colleges?
Ans.There are numerous colleges in India that offer a clinical psychology programme. We have mentioned below the top clinical psychology colleges. Some of the top Clinical Psychology Colleges are SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi.
Que. What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Ans.A Clinical Psychologist is a professional who is responsible for treating and assessing people who are suffering from mental illness and psychological problems.
Que. How long does it take to become a clinical psychologist?
Ans.To complete a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field for four to five years, two to four years of master's degree and up to eight years to complete a doctorate and one to two years of pre or post-doctoral supervised experience.
Que. How many years to become a clinical psychologist?
Ans.To become a clinical psychologist you need to complete a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field which will take four to five years, two to four years of a master's degree and up to eight years to complete a doctorate and one to two years of pre or post-doctoral supervised experience.
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Questions related to Clinical Psychologist
can clinical psychologist give medicines??
A Clinical Psychologist is concerned with the Identification of the behavior of the patient and its analysis. He/she can provide psychological support to the patients by providing counselling sessions etc but they can't prescribe medicine. As per the Medical Council of India, a trained practitioner with a MBBS degree and having specialization course in Psychiatry (Diploma/any other course) is only allowed to prescribe medicine provided he/she is a licensed practioner.
So only a Psychiatrist can prescribe medicine to patients and not the Psychologist.
For more information regarding Clinical Psychology course, consider the link provided below:
https://www.careers360.com/courses/clinical-psychology-course
I hope this helps. Wish you a great eve!
I want to pursue psychology and do BA and MA in it.But I am not good in maths.Is maths crucial for being a good clinical psychologist in future??
Hi there.
Yes, you must be schooled in the fundamental arithmetic and algebraic operations since you will need them for statistics in order to study psychology. Math is necessary for psychology. Psychology must show its hypotheses in accordance with the scientific method, which is founded on statistical analysis, in order to be considered a science.
However, it is not necessary to have math as a subject in your 12th grade to apply for an undergraduate psychology course.
Who pays well a clinical psychologist or a neuropsychologist? Is both clinical psychology and neuropsychology are same or different fields/professions.
Dear aspirant,
Clinical psychologist focuses more on our daily emotions while neuropsychologists focus more on neurobiological disorders amd brain altering conditions. Neuropsychology is a very research driven field with very advanced knowledge of the cognitive functions.
Clinical psychologists focus more on short term behavioural problems such as depression and anxiety.
Everyone can visit a clinical psychologist for day to day stress and trauma related problems but to visit a neuropsychologist one must be diagnosed with a disorder.
Coming to the higher income earner between the Two, neuropsychologists earn way more than clinical psychologists as they deal with more serious disorders and have specialised training for the same.
All the best!
can we call a clinical psychologist doctor or not.
Clinical psychologists are people who have earned a master's degree in clinical psychology. Those with a Master's degree in psychology, cannot use the title "Dr" until they have a Doctorate.
is clinical psychologist a doctor?
Dear Student ,
No , Clinical Psychologist is not come under Doctor category .But after earning a Masters degree in Psychology from regular/distance and after getting license , you can practice in Hospitals as an assistant with the Doctors . The doctors in these field are called Psychiatrists. The job of a clinical Psychologist is to treat the patient by understanding their emotional/mental behavior , and deal with the patients who are suffering in various mental disorders, anxiety , Depression etc.
The job area you can get after studying Clinical Psychology is :
- Behavioral Health Psychologist
- Medical Psychologist
- Child Psychologist etc.
For more details about the course , refer this :
https://www.careers360.com/careers/clinical-psychologist
Hope this helps !
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