5 Reasons to Become a Clinical Psychologist

5 Advantages of a Career in Clinical Psychology

Engaging Work
Good Job Prospects
Helping People
Problem-Solving Opportunities
Varied Career Paths

There are several reasons to become a clinical psychologist ranging from the rewarding nature of the work to the job outlook and more. Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat people who have disorders that are behavioral, mental or emotional. They may specialize in different areas of clinical psychology, such as neuropsychology or child psychology, as well as specializing in certain approaches to treatment.

Engaging Work

One reason to become a clinical psychologist is that it can be a stimulating, engaging career. Clinical psychologists may work in many different settings and with a variety of different populations. For example, they might work in clinics, hospitals or schools. They may specialize in working with children, adolescents or the elderly. It is a job that calls on a variety of skills, including communication and analytical skills.

Good Job Prospects

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the next 10 years, job opportunities for psychologists are expected to grow at a faster rate than others, and of all the specialties in the field of psychology, clinical psychology is expected to grow at the fastest rate. Having a doctorate may increase a person’s competitiveness in the field. The median annual salary for clinical psychologists in 2018 was just under $77,000, so the pay is good as well.

Helping People

Psychology is a helping profession, and clinical psychology, in particular, involves working closely with individuals and helping them with their behavioral, emotional or mental difficulties. Working as a clinical psychologist can be an opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives, and although this can be demanding, it can also be very rewarding.

Problem-Solving Opportunities

Another reason to become a clinical psychologist is the opportunity to problem-solve. The work of a clinical psychologist is rarely monotonous or routine. Instead, clinical psychologists will find themselves in a variety of situations in which they need to figure out the best way to approach treatment based on both a person’s diagnosis and the person’s needs. They might work with people on resolving emotional or behavioral issues or develop a treatment plan for addressing a person’s mental illness. Individuals who enjoy analyzing problems and coming up with a solution are likely to enjoy work as a clinical psychologist.

Varied Career Paths

The variety of career paths available is another good reason to become a clinical psychologist. Clinical psychologists might work in schools, mental health clinics, prisons or hospitals. They might eventually go on to teach at a university and train other clinical psychologists. Clinical psychologists can write books, consult or run their practices. They may even go to work with law enforcement with a specialty in forensic psychology.

Clinical psychology is a stimulating and fast-growing field that offers many opportunities to people who are both empathetic and analytical and who are good communicators. The variety and stimulation that the job offers and the chance to help people are among the other excellent reasons to become a clinical psychologist.

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