There is a misunderstanding that all “psychologists” are therapists - that they spend their days in their office, listening to people talk about their problems and asking deeper questions that get to the heart of specific behaviors, memories, and traumas. Not all psychologists do this type of work. A criminal psychologist, for example, may spend their time studying crime and giving expert testimony in court. A biological psychologist may be focused on research in a specific niche that not all psychologists have studied.

When we think of psychologists in a typical therapist’s office, we are thinking of clinical psychologists. Not all clinical psychologists are therapists, and not all therapists are clinical psychologists. Read on to learn the differences, what it takes to become a clinical psychologist, and how you can take the next steps to make this job your lifelong career.

What does a Clinical Psychologist Do?Job RequirementsState-Specific Requirements for Clinical PsychologistsSalarySchools for Clinical Psychology DegreesCompanies That Hire Clinical PsychologistsInterviews with a Clinical PsychologistFamous Clinical PsychologistsClinical Psychology Examples

What does a Clinical Psychologist Do?

Job Requirements

State-Specific Requirements for Clinical Psychologists

Salary

Schools for Clinical Psychology Degrees

Companies That Hire Clinical Psychologists

Interviews with a Clinical Psychologist

Famous Clinical Psychologists

Clinical Psychology Examples

A clinical psychologist uses their knowledge of psychology to assess, treat, and research emotional and mental disorders. They help individual patients work through trauma or identify the symptoms of their disorders (anxiety, PTSD, etc.) to help them live a more productive and fulfilling life.

To provide a clearer understanding of the differences between clinical psychologists, therapists, and psychiatrists, let’s structure the information:

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists use their extensive knowledge of psychology to assess, treat, and research emotional and mental disorders. They aim to help individual patients work through trauma, identify the symptoms of their disorders (like anxiety, PTSD, etc.), and empower them to lead a more productive and fulfilling life.

Therapist

The term “therapist” can encompass a wide range of professionals, but typically, they offer counseling and therapeutic services to individuals, couples, or groups.

Psychiatrist

For those wondering about psychiatrists in this context, they are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illnesses.

The requirements to be licensed at the state level vary - check online or with your professors to learn more about this process.

During the written and oral exams, psychologists will be assessed on more than just their knowledge of psychology. The board wants to ensure that the psychologists practicing clinical psychology have a strong sense of ethics, continue to better themselves as research comes out, and have a professional attitude and demeanor while working with individual patients. Therapy can be scary and vulnerable; only the most ethical and well-meaning individuals should be able to administer this to patients.

When pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist, it’s essential to recognize that each U.S. state has its own set of requirements for licensure. This ensures clinical psychologists are appropriately trained and prepared to practice in their region. The distinctions across states mainly revolve around educational standards, supervised training hours, and examination prerequisites.

Why the Variation?

The diversity in state-specific requirements stems from the desire to tailor training and practice to each state’s population’s unique needs, challenges, and resources. While this can complicate the process for psychologists seeking to practice in multiple states or move their practice, it ensures that practitioners are best equipped to serve their community’s specific needs.

Recommendations for Aspiring Clinical Psychologists:

In conclusion, while the path to becoming a licensed clinical psychologist might vary based on geography, the objective remains consistent: to ensure that clinicians are well-prepared and qualified to provide their clients with the highest level of care.

With a high demand for clinical psychologists in various industries, salaries are higher than they might be for a more niche position. Making six figures as a clinical psychologist is possible, even if you are starting your career. Pay may increase as you spend more time at a company, manage other psychologists, or earn more credits.

Clinical Psychologist Reported SalaryLowAverageHighVeryWellMind​$81,330​ZipRecruiter$36,000$100,800$168,000Salary.com$85,333$105,544$140,356Glassdoor$36,000$75,000$153,000

Clinical Psychologist Reported Salary

Low

Average

High

VeryWellMind

​

$81,330

ZipRecruiter

$36,000

$100,800

$168,000

Salary.com

$85,333

$105,544

$140,356

Glassdoor

$75,000

$153,000

Below is a table illustrating the average annual salary of clinical psychologists in a selection of major U.S. cities:

CityAverage Annual SalaryNew York, NY$121, 005Los Angeles, CA$109,890Chicago, IL$90,038Houston, TX$197,546Phoenix, AZ$95,246Philadelphia, PA$115,101San Antonio, TX$104,577San Diego, CA$211,232Dallas, TX$170,285San Jose, CA$208,205

It’s evident from the table that the average salary for clinical psychologists can differ substantially from one city to another. These differences often reflect the city’s cost of living, with higher salaries typically observed in cities with a higher cost of living. However, it’s also crucial to account for other factors, such as local healthcare infrastructure, the population’s mental health needs, and the state’s specific requirements and regulations for clinical psychologists.

For those considering relocating or starting their practice in a specific city, it’s advisable to delve deeper into the city-specific factors that might influence earnings and job opportunities. Additionally, seeking insights from local psychological associations or seasoned professionals in the desired area can provide a clearer picture of the potential salary range and job landscape.

There are plenty of schools across the country that offer clinical psychology degrees. Keep thesetop schoolson your list as you discover the best program for you:

While this list provides a starting point, it’s essential to delve into each program’s offerings, faculty, research opportunities, and success rates. Online resources such asNicheandCollegeRankoffer comprehensive reviews, rankings, and insights to assist students in making informed decisions about their higher education in clinical psychology.

Many clinical psychologists open up their practice and gain clients through word-of-mouth or various marketing initiatives, but they don’t have to. Larger companies like Talkspace or BetterHealth hire licensed clinical psychologists and connect them with patients in their area. Other organizations and companies that hire clinical psychologists include:

Interested in running your private practice? Look at this interview with author andclinical psychologist Dr. Leah Klungness!

Clinical psychologists are frequently interviewed for blogs and news stories to give their perspectives on why certain phenomena occur or how we can improve our mental health. This interview with clinical psychologist Dr. Jim Fix, for example, goes over many tips for getting help for you or a family member.

Although therapy as we know it has roots in psychotherapy and earlier schools of psychology, the approaches used today in private practices are relatively new. Some of the most well-known psychologists who have shaped the way the approach therapy today include:

What does a clinical psychologist do, day in and day out? Can they prescribe medication or make a diagnosis? Here are all of your questions answered!

Other day-to-day tasks for clinical psychologists include:

Interested in comparing different types of psychology careers? Want to know the difference between aclinical psychologist and a school psychologistor the difference between a behavioral psychologist and an experimental psychologist? Sites like Reddit, Quora, and this one will answer your questions!

Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Clinical Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/clinical-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Clinical Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/clinical-psychologist/.Copy

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Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Clinical Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/clinical-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Clinical Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/clinical-psychologist/.Copy

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