How to become a clinical psychologist

When pursuing a career in psychology, the opportunities are vast. There are several different areas of specialization, ranging across industries. Plus, psychologists can work in schools, hospitals, government facilities, and corporate organizations, just to name a few settings.

Among the numerous specialty areas in the field, clinical psychology is one of the largest. Clinical psychologists are best known for providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families. But there's a lot more that goes into the work that they do.

Join us as we uncover the details of working in this field and explore how to become a clinical psychologist.

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What is clinical psychology?

Regardless of specialization, clinical psychologists typically have a few core characteristics in common: they maintain a passion for discovery and learning, they possess strong active listening skills, they're interested in understanding human behavior, and they enjoy working with people.

Clinical psychologists focus specifically on using the science of psychology to treat complex mental, emotional, behavioral — and sometimes even physical — disorders. In addition to providing continuing care for individuals and families, they may also provide consultation to agencies and communities, provide training and education, and engage in various research efforts.

The American Psychological Association (APA) outlines the following parameters of practice for clinical psychology:

Issues treated

• Intellectual, emotional, psychological, social, and behavioral maladjustment
• Disability and discomfort
• Challenges ranging from minor adjustment issues to severe psychopathology

Procedures

• Behavioral assessment
• Clinical intervention
• Inter- and intra-professional consultation
• Research and critical review of science, knowledge, and methods pertaining to clinical psychology

The APA notes that professionals who pursue a career in clinical psychology must be well versed in the details of normal and abnormal behavior, mental and emotional health, healthy behavior, and mental disorders and their prevention.

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What does a clinical psychologist do?

Clinical psychologists are trained in a range of techniques and theoretical approaches, enabling them to work in a variety of different specialty areas, from research and education to training and healthcare. Others specialize in areas like counseling and school psychology.

In practice, this may translate to a clinical psychologist helping patients better manage stress or cope with disorders like anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. In other cases, clinical psychologists may specialize in physical health concerns, helping patients manage living with diabetes or other chronic illnesses. They can also work with patients struggling with learning disabilities. Additional areas of specialization include working with elderly patients, young children, or athletes of all ages.

The possibilities for a career as a clinical psychologist are numerous, but their work always hinges on the study of cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. They accomplish this by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. Specific job duties will vary depending on the work situation, but they typically include interviewing patients, performing diagnostic tests, and providing individual, family, or group psychotherapy.

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How to become a clinical psychologist

The path to becoming a clinical psychologist begins with a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field. Once you're baccalaureate-qualified, there are a couple different routes you can take.

What you can count on for certain is that if you want to practice unsupervised as a clinical psychologist, you'll eventually need to earn a doctoral degree, as those with a master's degree in the field are required to practice under the supervision of a doctoral-qualified practitioner.

In most states, the independent, unsupervised practice of psychology requires a doctorate and a state license. State-specific information can be obtained from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Most programs take five to seven years to complete, including a one-year clinical psychology internship.

Clinical psychologist requirements do vary by state, but to become licensed to practice, you'll likely need to complete one to two years of supervised professional experience in addition to earning your doctorate.

Once these requirements are met, candidates are qualified to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) — a test comprised of 225 multiple-choice questions. Most states also require licensed psychologists to complete continuing education courses once they're practicing.

If you're ready to begin laying the educational foundation needed for becoming a clinical psychologist, earning a master's degree could be the most sensible next step.

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Pursue a career in clinical psychology

The Clinical and Mental Health Counseling master's degree at Bellevue University offers a practical path to becoming a licensed mental health counselor, a path to earning a doctoral degree, or both.

Now that you're familiar with how to become a clinical psychologist, you can begin planning your next steps toward a fulfilling career. Regardless of which specialty you choose, you'll know you are making a positive impact in the lives of your patients — and your community.

Whatever your specific plan is, you can gain the knowledge and skills you'll need for your doctorate program by learning about clinical assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, and more. Explore the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program page for more information.