Which specialty in psychology works with individuals experiencing everyday problems?

A clinical psychologist works with people with a wide range of mental or physical health problems. They aim to reduce psychological distress and promote psychological well-being.

The work of a clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist works with people experiencing a range of difficulties that can occur at any time in their lives. This means they work with children, young people, adults and older adults.  They work with people who may be experiencing mental health, physical health or disability difficulties.

These difficulties can relate to problems with:

• emotions
• relationships
• adverse life events
• behaviour
• offending
• unusual experiences
• drugs and/ or alcohol use

They aim to reduce psychological distress and promote psychological well-being.

Clinical psychologists also provide consultation, training and supervision to other professionals and other agencies.

Clinical psychologists are not medical doctors and will not prescribe medication. Their work is focussed on how people think, feel and behave and the impact this has on them and on their relationships with others. 

Many psychologists are involved in research and evaluation of services.

Clinical psychologists work with people with a wide range of illnesses, conditions and disorders. These might include:

• anxiety
• depression
• serious and enduring mental illness
• adjustment to physical illness
• neurological disorders
• addictive behaviours
• childhood developmental and behaviour disorders
• personal and family relationship problems

The work involves interaction with, and receiving referrals from, a wide range of other professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists. Most clinical psychologists work in Health and Social Care, but some do work privately and in other agencies.

To assess a client, a clinical psychologist may do a clinical assessment using a variety of methods, including:

• psychometric tests
• interviews
• direct observation of behaviour

Assessment may lead to psychological therapy. A significant part of the clinical psychologist’s role is to provide consultation, advice and supervision for other professionals involved in the care or treatment of an individual.

Skills required

Essential skills required to be a clinical psychologist include:

• good interpersonal skills
• an enquiring mind
• an interest in all aspects of human behaviour
• want to help people to overcome personal difficulties
• maturity and objectivity

Training programmes

The following undergraduate programmes are available in Northern Ireland. Both courses are full-time three year programmes. Contact the universities for the latest information on entry requirements.

• BSc Hons Psychology (Ulster University)
• BSc Hons Psychology (Queen's University)

Postgraduate Doctoral level (three year) courses are required in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, this training is provided through the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast.

Places on this training programme are advertised on the university's website at the end of September each year of intake. See: Doctorate in clinical psychology.

Career pathway

Following qualification, graduates can expect to work and further develop in the profession for a minimum of six years before being eligible to compete for a consultant level position.

At that level, a small number of clinical psychologists might expect to become Heads of Specialty – for example, Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent or overall head of a psychology service.

Professional recognition

The British Psychological Society is the professional chartered body for clinical psychologists. Practitioner psychologists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Clinical Psychologists must be registered with the HPC before they can practice in the UK. The title ‘practitioner psychologist’ is the generic but protected title which can be used by any HCPC registered psychologist. 'Clinical psychologist' is a protected title and only a registered psychologist meeting the HCPC criteria for a clinical psychologist can legally use the title.

Useful links

• Association of Clinical Psychologists (ACP-UK)

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Psychologists study the mind and behavior to support people with mental health conditions. They might specialize in different subfields, such as clinical or forensic psychology.

This article provides an overview of what psychologists do, the different types of psychologists, and how they can help.

Psychologists have gone through clinical and academic education in psychology to understand the mind and behavior.

They provide services to people with mental health conditions and those going through difficult or distressing times.

People might receive different services from a psychologist, depending on their area of specialty.

For example, a psychologist might help someone with symptoms of depression or anxiety. The person may be dealing with specific issues, such as anger problems or bereavement.

Psychologists use a variety of methods to help people in different situations. A common approach is providing psychotherapy, which is a type of talk therapy to help people cope with symptoms and improve their well-being.

In some cases, a psychologist will work with other healthcare professionals to provide treatment. For example, they might work with a family doctor or psychiatrist, who can prescribe medication.

Psychologists can work in private practices or a variety of other locations, including hospitals or schools. Some psychologists also conduct diagnostic assessments and academic and clinical research.

There are many areas in which a psychologist might specialize.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), recognized specialties of psychology include the following:

• Clinical neuropsychology aims to understand the relationship between the brain and behavior.
• Clinical health psychology examines and supports clinical services to promote physical and mental health.
• Psychoanalysis focuses on understanding and changing personality and other unconscious aspects of behavior and thinking.
• School psychology involves working with pupils, parents or caregivers, and teachers in school settings.
• Clinical psychology provides support and care for people with mental health and behavioral problems.
• Child and adolescent psychology focuses on infants, children, and adolescents.
• Counseling psychology helps people with a variety of emotional, social, work, health, or academic problems at any age.
• Organizational psychology specializes in human behavior in workplaces and organizations.
• Behavioral and cognitive psychology uses learning, development, and cognitive principles to help with behavioral, thinking, and emotional problems.
• Forensic psychology operates within the judicial and legal system.
• Couple and family psychology addresses problems that people might have in relationships and families.
• Geropsychology focuses on older people and their families.
• Police and public safety psychology supports law enforcement workers and other public safety professionals.
• Sleep psychology examines sleep and sleep-related disorders.
• Rehabilitation psychology assists people recovering from an injury or illness.
• Group psychology and psychotherapy prepares group leaders to identify issues and support the development of individual group members.
• Serious mental illness psychology specializes in helping people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.
• Psychopharmacology applies psychological principles to drug development and research.

Psychiatrists have a different educational background than psychologists. They are medical doctors who have chosen to specialize in psychiatry rather than another area of medicine.

They have the authority to prescribe medications to people with mental health conditions.

On the other hand, psychologists are not medical doctors and are unable to prescribe medication.

Psychologists typically have a doctoral degree that involves at least 4–6 years of full-time education and training after an undergraduate degree.

Psychologist training can vary depending on the specialty. For example, the training may focus on statistics, biology, or social factors.

Psychologists must obtain a license to practice, which requires national and state-specific examinations.

People looking for a psychologist can consult their family doctor. A doctor will be able to assess a person’s needs and suggest the right kind of psychologist.

It is also possible to locate a psychologist online. For example, the APA provide an online search tool for finding local psychologists.

Anyone who is experiencing persistent emotional, behavioral, or cognitive problems could benefit from seeing a psychologist. Parents or caregivers who suspect that their child has ADHD or ASD can also take them to these specialists for an evaluation.

Some examples of signs that it may be helpful to see a psychologist include:

• feeling anxious on a regular basis
• experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness or helplessness
• having difficulty with everyday challenges or work
• using drugs or alcohol to cope
• having suicidal thoughts
• experiencing abuse or other trauma

Many insurance plans cover the cost of mental healthcare. Sessions typically range from $65 to $200, depending on the area and psychologist, but the costs can sometimes be higher.

People in the United States without insurance can access funding for mental healthcare through Medicaid. Some employers or universities will also cover costs, while community mental health clinics may offer low cost or sliding scale therapy.

Psychologists specialize in the mind and behavior. They provide a range of different services, including treatment for mental health symptoms.

Most psychologists have a doctoral degree with extensive training. They differ from psychiatrists, who are medical doctors able to prescribe medications.

Anyone who is experiencing mental health, thinking, or behavioral issues should consider talking to their doctor, who can assess the situation and recommend the right psychologist, if necessary.