Clinical & Counseling Psychologists
Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist
What they do:
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
On the job, you would:
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
Knowledge
Health
- therapy and counseling
Math and Science
- psychology
- sociology and anthropology
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Education and Training
- teaching and course design
Skills
Basic Skills
- reading work related information
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
- understanding people's reactions
- looking for ways to help people
Abilities
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
- notice when problems happen
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Concern for Others
- Integrity
- Self Control
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Medical software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
Word processing software
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Word
Analytical or scientific software
- Comprehensive Affect Testing System CATS
- Statistical software
Education
Education: (rated 5 of 5)
post-doctoral training or
doctoral degree
usually needed
doctoral degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Psychiatrists
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about clinical and counseling psychologists.