What is a Clinical Psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who is an expert in mental health. They have undertaken highly specialised APAC-accredited training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and psychological treatment of mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders across the lifespan. The education and training of clinical psychologists takes eight years.

Clinical psychology is a science-based profession that integrates theory and clinical practice to understand, prevent, and relieve psychological problems or disorders whether they are mild, moderate, severe, chronic, or complex.

A clinical psychologist's training

Training in clinical psychology is at minimum an 8-year requirement. Students firstly undertake a 4-year Honours degree in psychology covering the scientific foundations of psychology. Students then progress to a 2-3 year accredited post-graduate degree, focussed on the assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. This study is then followed by a 1-2 year registrar program overseen by the Psychology Board of Australia. We know of no other health professional who undertakes this length and level of accredited training in psychological practice in mental health.

What is a general psychologist? And how are they different to a clinical psychologist?

General psychologists undertake six years of training, which includes a 4-year Honours degree addressing the scientific foundations of psychology, and a further 2 years of training which may involve either a 2-year internship or a 1-year Master degree plus 1-year internship. In both pathways, general registration competencies are addressed. (Psychology Board General competencies) and in the Accreditation Standards for Psychology. However, general psychologists do not undertake accredited education and training to specialise in an endorsed area of specialised practice.

What does a clinical psychologist do?

Central to clinical psychology practice are psychological assessment, clinical formulation, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. A clinical psychologist can assess the causes of psychological distress within the context of the history of the problems and contributing factors, such as genetic predisposition, social and family influences, and psychological coping styles. A clinical psychologist can help develop a management or treatment plan for stabilisation or recovery. Clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication; they use psychological therapies.

Clinical psychologists have specific skills that they employ in their work, including:

Understanding the broad expanse of mental health issues and how they may occur at any age.
An extensive knowledge of mental illness assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Psychological tests in order to assess problems and be more effective in understanding and treating those suffering psychological distress.
Consulting with a variety of other health professionals and organisations about behaviour, emotions, and severe mental distress.
Being able to perform research and collect data to enhance the understanding of clinical psychology.

How can a clinical psychologist help?

Common reasons why someone might see a clinical psychologist include:

Problems in adjusting to major life changes, stress or trauma
Anxiety, worry or fear
Depressed or low mood, or suicidal thinking
Thoughts of hurting other people or hurting yourself on purpose
Too much energy, being unable to sleep, wind down or relax
Obsessional thinking
Feeling on edge or jumpy
Problems with alcohol or drug use
Problem gambling, gaming or other addictive behaviours
Problems around body image, eating, or dieting
Poor concentration and attention; hyperactivity
Insomnia and other sleep problems
Conditions that start in childhood such as autism, intellectual disability, ADHD, learning difficulties or childhood anxiety or depression
Behaviour problems in children and adolescence