5 different career paths for psychologists with a Psy.D.
This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in clinical psychology are in high demand and are expected to rise substantially in the near future. Those interested in a career in clinical psychology or a degree in the field should continue reading to discover more about your options.
How clinical psychology is defined
Clinical psychology is a subfield of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neurological, behavioral, and emotional disorders.
An individual’s mental health problems are the responsibility of clinical psychologists, who perform evaluations, diagnoses, and provide treatment. In addition, a clinical psychologist offers a wide range of services and treatment sessions to their patients.
What do clinical psychologist do?
As a mental health practitioner, a clinical psychologist can diagnose and treat a variety of mental health issues. There is a lot that clinical psychologists are expected to do. Tasks include doing research, analyzing behavior, and providing consultations.
Patients receive individualized care from clinical psychologists who meet with them one-on-one. Clinical psychologists meet with clients to discuss their mental health problems, diagnose mental disorders, offer treatment options, track their progress, and make recommendations for additional services.
Unlike a typical psychologist, a clinical psychologist is trained in the study of abnormal behavioral patterns and emotional responses.
Overview of Psy.D. programs in clinical psychology
A clinical psychology Psy.D. is an applied doctorate that trains graduates to provide the best finest clinical psychology treatment to patients struggling with emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues.
Students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology should make sure the school they are considering is recognized and approved by the American Psychological Association before submitting an application.
Many Psy.D. programs allow future clinical psychologists to get research experience and develop their talents in a variety of situations outside of the classroom.
Psychiatrists who graduate from this Psy.D. degree will be well-prepared to work in a variety of mental health-related fields, such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Learn more about what goes into obtaining a doctorate degree in psychology here.
Clinical psychology career paths
Organizational psychologist
In this position, a clinical psychologist performs screening tests, performance reviews, and training courses to help an organization’s personnel work together accordingly to accomplish common company goals and boost total productivity.
Marriage and family therapist
A clinical psychologist can work with families and couples one-on-one to help them improve their communication and correct any bad patterns that may exist. Marriage and family therapists who are also clinical psychologists may be able to assist clients in formulating treatment programs that address a wide range of mental health issues.
Researcher
Clinical psychologists can do research into the impact of a person’s habits and cognitive patterns on their family and society as a whole. The findings of this study could have a significant impact on the field and provide more context for more modern standards and practices.
Professor
Become a clinical psychology professor if you appreciate educating the next generation of mental health providers and collaborating with them. In this position, you’ll be assisting students with both simple and advanced psychological concepts and practices, and you’ll also be leading research projects at your school.
Psychotherapist
You can specialize in psychotherapy as a subfield of clinical psychology. Psychotherapists work together with their patients to devise treatment regimens that result in long-term behavioral and emotional improvements. In many cases, psychotherapists specialize in just one type of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or hypnosis.