CAREERS ENCYCLOPEDIA

Psychologist, Clinical

Evaluates, diagnose, and treats mental health disorders and emotional challenges using therapeutic techniques and psychological interventions.

Career Cluster Tag:
On The Job You Would:

Performs psychological assessments and offers individual or group therapy to address mental health issues. Create treatment plans and track client progress to support improved emotional and psychological health.

Knowledge
Psychological theories, assessment techniques, therapies, mental health disorders, treatment strategies, and ethical guidelines.
Skills
Empathetic Listening:

Ability to actively listen and understand clients' concerns with compassion and without judgment.

Analytical Skills:

Assessing psychological assessments and diagnosing mental health conditions accurately.

Therapeutic Techniques:

Expertise in applying various therapeutic methods and techniques to effectively treat clients.

Abilities
Critical Thinking:

Analyze complex psychological issues and develop effective treatment plans based on clinical evidence.

Effective Communication:

Clearly conveying information and building rapport with clients to foster a therapeutic relationship.

Emotional Resilience:

Manage one's own emotions and maintain composure while dealing with challenging or distressing client situations.

Personality
Empathy:

Deep understanding and compassion for clients' emotions and experiences to provide effective support and therapy.

Patience:

Remain calm and persistent, recognizing that psychological progress often takes time and effort.

Integrity:

Commitment to maintaining ethical standards and confidentiality in all professional interactions and treatment processes.

Technology
Electronic health records (EHRs) to manage client information, teletherapy platforms for remote counseling sessions and psychological assessment software, for administering and scoring various psychological tests.
Entry Requirements
Master's degree, internship and certification from Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA).
Job Outlook
Increasing Mental Health Awareness:

Growing public awareness and acceptance of mental health issues boost demand for qualified clinical psychologists.

Expansion of Healthcare Services:

Expansion of mental health services in hospitals, clinics, and private practices creates more job opportunities.

Government and NGO Initiatives:

Government and non-governmental organizations are increasingly focusing on mental health programs, leading to more career prospects.

Where can you work?
In hospitals, mental health clinics, private practices, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Education
Bachelor's Degree:

Obtain a Bachelor's degree in Psychology to build a foundational understanding of psychological principles and theories.

Master's Degree:

Pursue a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology for specialized training and hands-on clinical experience.

Achieve a Doctorate:

Attain a Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in Clinical Psychology for advanced expertise, research opportunities and for high-level clinical roles.

Where can you study?
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) (Islamabad):

Offers a comprehensive Clinical Psychology program with a strong emphasis on both research and applied clinical practice.

University of the Punjab (Lahore):

Offers a well-regarded Master’s and Doctorate program in Clinical Psychology with extensive research and clinical training opportunities.

University of Karachi (Karachi):

Provides advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology, focusing on comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical clinical experience.

Expenses & Scholarships
Cost ranges between PKR 100,000 and PKR 300,000 per year approximately, depending on the institution/ program. Scholarships and financial aid opportunities may be available through universities and organizations like the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to help reduce these expenses.

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