If integrity, ethics and helping others are important to you, consider a career in clinical psychology. You can begin studying for work as a clinical psychologist with any type of work or educational background. The most important thing is your passion and the drive to succeed.

Qualification and curriculum

Earning a four-year undergraduate degree is the first step in your education toward becoming a psychologist. A bachelor?s in education, psychology or sociology will best prepare you for your graduate school work, but if you?ve already earned a bachelor?s in another field, that?s OK.

You?ll need a master?s degree in psychology to enter the field of clinical psychology. This may take one- to-two years to obtain.

Many clinical, counselling and research psychologists earn a doctoral degree as well, which can be a PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree. Doctoral degree programs in clinical psychology typically require an investment of five to six years. Programs in certain areas of professional psychology require a one year internship as part of the doctoral program.

If earning a PhD in psychology, you?ll also complete a residency training program under a practicing clinician; this residency can take up to three years to complete.

Licensing and certification guidelines for psychologists vary by state; be sure to check the guidelines for the region in which you plan to study.

What do they do?

Clinical psychologists meet with clients to identify problems?emotional, mental and behavioral?in their lives. Through observation, interviews and tests, the psychologist will diagnose any existing or potential disorders.

Skills needed

Clinical psychologists have a whole host of specific skills that they employ in their work, including:

Job prospects

As a clinician, you?ll be able to choose from a wide variety of career paths. Many clinical psychologists work in private practice, with their own office and schedule. Other typical workplaces include schools and universities, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and community and mental health centers. The opportunity to advance into academia increases as you gain more education and experience.

Institutes

Amity University, Lucknow.

Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar.

Chandigarh University, Chandigarh.

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala.

Amity University, Noida.

Final thoughts

Clinical psychology takes general psychology a step further. While psychologists study the fundamentals of mental behaviors and processes, clinical psychologists apply these principles in real-world situations. They translate basic concepts into practical approaches that are used to diagnose and treat mental illnesses or disorders in patients

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If integrity, ethics and helping others are important to you, consider a career in clinical psychology. You can begin studying for work as a clinical psychologist with any type of work or educational background. The most important thing is your passion and the drive to succeed.

Qualification and curriculum

Earning a four-year undergraduate degree is the first step in your education toward becoming a psychologist. A bachelor?s in education, psychology or sociology will best prepare you for your graduate school work, but if you?ve already earned a bachelor?s in another field, that?s OK.

You?ll need a master?s degree in psychology to enter the field of clinical psychology. This may take one- to-two years to obtain.

Many clinical, counselling and research psychologists earn a doctoral degree as well, which can be a PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree. Doctoral degree programs in clinical psychology typically require an investment of five to six years. Programs in certain areas of professional psychology require a one year internship as part of the doctoral program.

If earning a PhD in psychology, you?ll also complete a residency training program under a practicing clinician; this residency can take up to three years to complete.

Licensing and certification guidelines for psychologists vary by state; be sure to check the guidelines for the region in which you plan to study.

What do they do?

Clinical psychologists meet with clients to identify problems?emotional, mental and behavioral?in their lives. Through observation, interviews and tests, the psychologist will diagnose any existing or potential disorders.

Skills needed

Clinical psychologists have a whole host of specific skills that they employ in their work, including:

Job prospects

As a clinician, you?ll be able to choose from a wide variety of career paths. Many clinical psychologists work in private practice, with their own office and schedule. Other typical workplaces include schools and universities, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and community and mental health centers. The opportunity to advance into academia increases as you gain more education and experience.

Institutes

Amity University, Lucknow.

Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar.

Chandigarh University, Chandigarh.

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala.

Amity University, Noida.

Final thoughts

Clinical psychology takes general psychology a step further. While psychologists study the fundamentals of mental behaviors and processes, clinical psychologists apply these principles in real-world situations. They translate basic concepts into practical approaches that are used to diagnose and treat mental illnesses or disorders in patients

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