Clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists assess and treat people with psychological difficulties related to both mental and physical health

The main purpose of your role as a clinical psychologist is to reduce distress and improve the psychological wellbeing of your clients.

Working collaboratively with your clients, you'll use evidence-based assessments, including interviews, observation and psychometric testing, to assess their needs. You'll then develop and implement a treatment plan that may include psychological therapy, counselling or advice.

You'll work with clients of all ages - children, adolescents, adults and older people - as well as families, couples and groups in a range of settings. You'll often liaise with other professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers and counselling psychologists to provide integrated care.

Types of conditions

You'll work with people who have a range of mental and physical health conditions, including:

• addictive behaviours
• adjustment to physical illness or injury
• anxiety
• challenging behaviours
• depression
• eating disorders
• learning disabilities
• mental illness
• neurological disorders
• relationship and family problems.

Responsibilities

Your specific responsibilities will vary depending on your client group and setting, for example, working within the NHS, private practice, education, social care or charitable organisations.

However, as a clinical psychologist you'll typically need to:

• assess clients' needs, abilities and behaviour using a range of methods, including psychometric tests, structured interviews and direct observation
• plan and deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy
• monitor, review and adapt treatment to ensure it remains effective and appropriate
• provide psychological advice and consultation to non-psychologist professionals within multidisciplinary teams, encouraging a psychological approach in their work
• support and counsel carers, families and other supporters involved in the client's care
• contribute to the development and evaluation of services and clinical practices
• conduct applied research to inform clinical work and improve service delivery
• provide clinical supervision and training to trainee psychologists and other members of the team
• maintain accurate, confidential records and prepare reports, which may include legal or expert witness documentation when required.

Salary

• Trainee clinical psychologists start at £38,682 (Band 6) of the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates. After qualification, salaries within the NHS start at £47,810 (Band 7).
• More experienced psychologists can earn between £55,690 and £74,896 (Bands 8a and 8b).
• Consultant-level clinical psychologist roles typically range from £76,965 to £105,337 (Bands 8c and 8d). Heads of psychology services may earn in the region of £109,179 to £125,637 (Band 9).

The NHS pays a London high-cost area supplement at 20% of the basic salary for inner London, 15% for outer London and 5% for fringe areas.

Salaries in private hospitals and private practice vary.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work a standard 37.5-hour week, Monday to Friday, although some evening or weekend work may be required depending on your client group and service needs. Clinical psychologists in the NHS often work within community or hospital settings, while those in private practice have greater flexibility to set their own hours.

Part-time, job sharing and hybrid working options may be available.

What to expect

• You'll work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, and education or community mental health staff.
• Jobs are available across the UK, mostly in cities and large towns, with fewer opportunities in rural areas. You may also work in private practice, academia, research or consultancy.
• The work can be emotionally demanding as you're supporting people experiencing significant distress or complex difficulties. You may occasionally encounter challenging or high-risk situations.
• Regular clinical supervision and peer support are essential throughout your career to ensure safe and effective practice.
• Travel between sites or to visit clients may be required, but overnight stays or international travel are rare.

Qualifications

To practise as a clinical psychologist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To be eligible for registration, you'll need to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology that is approved by the HCPC and accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS).

To begin training, you'll normally need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), which is achieved by completing a BPS-accredited psychology degree or conversion course. For a full list, see BPS Accredited Courses.

The Doctorate typically lasts three years, full time and combines academic study, clinical placements and research. You'll be employed by an NHS trust as a trainee clinical psychologist throughout the course and paid a salary (at NHS Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay scale).

Places are usually funded by the NHS, although funding arrangements can vary so always check with individual course providers before applying. If you've already received NHS funding for training in another psychological profession, you may need to wait a set period before applying for clinical psychology training.

You'll usually need a first-class or 2:1 honours degree to get a place on a Doctorate course. Some universities may accept a 2:2 if you also have a relevant Masters or PhD. You'll also need relevant work experience in a clinical setting. For details on the amount and type of work experience you need, check with individual course providers. You'll also need to pass a criminal records check before being offered a place on a course.

Applications for most doctorate courses are made through the Clearing House for Postgraduate Courses in Clinical Psychology, although the University of Hull and Queen's University Belfast operate their own admissions process. Applications usually open during September and close in November.

On successful completion of your Doctorate, you'll be eligible register with the HCPC as a clinical psychologist and apply for chartered status with the BPS.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills for supporting people in distress
• empathy, sensitivity and a person-centred approach to clients
• the ability to apply psychological theory and research to real-world clinical problems
• critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• emotional resilience and self-awareness, with the ability to think clearly in challenging situations
• the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• time-management and organisational skills
• self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• competence in using IT for record-keeping and communication
• an understanding of the role of a clinical psychologist and awareness of current issues in mental health and the NHS.

Work experience

You'll need relevant work experience, often a minimum of 12 months, to get a place on a Doctorate course. Most course providers set specific requirements for the amount and type of experience they expect and offer guidance on how to gain it. Start building experience as early as possible, ideally during your degree, and be ready to reflect on what you've learned from it.

Some course providers are particularly keen on experience gained as an assistant psychologist in an NHS clinical psychology department under the supervision of a clinical psychologist. Competition for these posts is particularly fierce.

Experience in clinical research that enhances your understanding of psychological practice is also valuable. It's helpful to have a good balance of experience in both academic and clinical areas.

Paid or voluntary work in related areas such as mental health, nursing, social work, care work or support services for people with disabilities can also help you develop key skills and insight. Relevant jobs include nursing assistant, care assistant, healthcare assistant or support worker, and psychological wellbeing practitioner.

Any experience you get should be with groups and services that are relevant to clinical psychology and involve direct contact with people experiencing psychological or health-related difficulties. Mental health charities such as Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Together for Mental Wellbeing may have relevant opportunities as well.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Most clinical psychologists are employed by the NHS. Opportunities are available across a range of health, education and social care settings, including:

• hospitals and community health centres
• adult and older adult mental health services
• community mental health teams and social services
• children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS)
• schools, colleges and universities
• prisons and secure units
• NHS Talking Therapies services.

There are also opportunities to work in private practice, research institutions, charities and the voluntary sector.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Healthjobsuk.com
• Jobs in Psychology
• NHS Jobs
• NHSScotland Jobs

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Pulse also advertise vacancies.

Professional development

Once qualified, you must keep your skills and knowledge up to date through continuing professional development (CPD). CPD is an essential requirement for maintaining your registration with the HCPC and chartered membership of the BPS, and it should include a mixture of directed and self-directed activities.

Activities may include:

• post-qualification training in specialist areas or therapeutic approaches
• clinical supervision training
• attending conferences, workshops and events
• presenting or publishing original research and journal articles
• lecturing or teaching
• mentoring, supervising or assessing trainees
• developing expertise with specific client groups.

You'll need to keep an accurate, up-to-date record of your CPD activities to show how it enhances your practice and overall service delivery and benefits your clients.

For more information on CPD, see the BPS.

Career prospects

There is a clear career structure within the NHS, and you can expect to progress through the pay bands as you gain experience, undertake further training and take on additional responsibilities.

You may choose, for example, to specialise in a particular area of clinical psychology, such as:

• addictions
• clinical neuropsychology
• clinical health psychology
• forensic or criminal justice clinical psychology
• oncology and palliative care
• psychosis and complex mental health.

Alternatively, you may focus on a specific client group, such as children and young people or older adults.

With experience, there are opportunities to move into senior, supervisory or service lead roles, taking responsibility for other staff and the management of psychological services. Experienced clinical psychologists may progress to consultant level, and a small number become heads of specialty or overall heads or directors of psychology services.

Opportunities also exist to become involved in the teaching, supervision and training of clinical psychologists. You could also move into clinical academic research within universities or the NHS.