The Career of a Clinical Psychologist in the U.S.A.
What Is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology deals with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. While they often work in hospitals, clinical psychologists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medications in most states. Specialty areas of clinical psychology include child mental health, adult mental health, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, substance abuse, and health psychology.
According to survey results (the U.S.A.) 65% of clinical psychologists work in private practice, 19% work in medical settings and 2% work in other services.
What Do Clinical Psychologists Do?
Clinical psychologists often work in hospitals, private practice or academic settings. Clinicians use a wide range of techniques and theoretical approaches. Some specialize in treating certain psychological disorders, while others work with clients suffering from a wide variety of problems. Clinical psychologists treat some of the most serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
In addition to working with clients, clinical psychologists keep detailed records of client assessment, diagnosis, and treatment notes. These records help clinicians and clients track progress.
What Type of Degree Do Clinical Psychologists Need?
While some individuals find work with a master’s degree, most positions require a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Some graduate programs accept applicants with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, but most encourage students to get a bachelor’s degree in psychology before specialising in clinical psychology.
There are two major training models for doctoral degrees. The traditional Ph.D. in Psychology (or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology) emphasizes the role of the research and science. The Psy. D. degree (Doctor of Psychology) focuses on clinical and practitioner work. Psy.D. programs are attractive to many students because they typically take about a year less time to complete than a Ph.D.
Is a Career in Clinical Psychology Right for Me?
Clinical psychologists need to have excellent communication skills. It is also important to be creative when developing treatment plans and approaches. Before you decide on a career in clinical psychology, contact local human services providers about volunteer opportunities that may be available. Clinical psychology can be both a demanding and very satisfying field and volunteer experiences can help you decide if a career in clinical psychology is right for you.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Career in Clinical Psychology?
Benefits of a Career in Clinical Psychology
Helping people to overcome problems can be very satisfying.
Many chances to search for creative solutions.
Opportunities for self-employment.
Downsides of a Career in Clinical Psychology
· Insurance companies require that clinicians keep detailed client records, so there is a a lot of paperwork.
· There is a risk of burnout because the therapy requires a lot of effort and skills.
· Clinical psychologists often work long hours with clients who can be demanding or unstable.
Vocabulary Notes
deal with
treat, treatment
prevent, prevention
prescribe medications
state
adult
disturbance
substance abuse
survey
a wide range of techniques
keep records of...
track progress
bachelor's degree
master's degree
require
graduate program
undergraduate degree
accept
applicant
research and science
attractive
little – less – the least
complete
creative
approach
human services
volunteer opportunities
available
a demanding field
experience
pros and cons, benefits and downsides
overcome problems
solve, solution
self-employment
insurance company
burnout
unstable clients
True or false? Correct the false statements.
1. Clinical psychologists work in hospitals and prescribe medications.
2. 87% of clinical psychologists in the USA work in private practice.
3. Clinicians keep detailed record of client assessment, diagnosis and treatment notes.
4. You don't need any degrees to specialise in clinical psychology.
5. The Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree is more attractive to students.
6. Clinical psychologists need to be sociable.
7. Clinical psychology isn't a very satisfying field.
8. A career in clinical psychology is for creative people.
9. There are no opportunities for self-employment for clinicians.
10. The therapy requires a lot of effort.
Translate from Russian into English using the vocabulary from the text about clinical psychologists.
1. Чтобы предотвратить болезнь, необходимо (it's necessary) снизить риск эмоционального “выгорания”.
2. Я имею дело только со взрослыми клиентами.
3. Наука и исследования не привлекательны для меня.
4. Эта сфера деятельности требует много умений.
5. Мы используем широкий спектр приемов в работе с пациентами.
6. Я получил степень бакалавра в 2010 году, а степень магистра – в 2012.
7. Как вы отслеживаете прогресс в лечении?
8. Чтобы решить эту проблему, они применили творческий подход.
9. У нас мало времени и еще (even) меньше денег.
10. Мы приняли во внимание все за и против, все плюсы и минусы.