Clinical Psychology Careers (With 7 Specialized Jobs)

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Updated June 9, 2025

The image shows a therapist talking to a teen patient with a notepad on their lap.

If you enjoy working with people and are interested in pursuing a career that positively impacts the lives of many, you may want to consider the field of clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists received advanced training in cognitive and behavioral sciences and can specialize in various clinical areas, such as behavioral health and child psychology.In this article, we discuss what clinical psychology is, what a clinical psychologist does and explore related career paths.

What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology is a specialized field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health illnesses. Examples of illnesses this field encompasses include behavioral and emotional conditions.Those who work in this area often perform assessments and diagnoses and oversee the maintenance of a patient's mental health statute. Clinical psychology is a comprehensive study of mental and behavioral conditions in individuals of various ages and backgrounds.Clinical psychologists treat both mental and behavioral health conditions for individuals, couples and sometimes groups of people. They also conduct research in the area of mental and behavioral health and often publish that research. Additionally, they perform psychological assessments and tests for individuals, businesses and healthcare organizations.

What does a clinical psychologist do?

A clinical psychologist has various responsibilities based on their specific job position. In most clinical psychology positions, these people work directly with patients to provide individualized care based on their specific needs. In addition, clinical psychologists include:

Identify behavioral, emotional or mental conditions in a client.
Perform assessments to further analyze a client's condition.
Diagnose conditions based on analysis and assessments.
Educate a client's family members on their condition and how to best cope with it.
Create individualized treatment plans related to the client's specific condition.
Oversee a client's progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan when needed.

Requirements for clinical psychologists

To practice, clinical psychologists complete extensive education and training. It's worth noting that clinical psychology encompasses many career paths and that the education and training requirements may vary depending on which path and specialization you choose. These are the five common requirements for becoming a clinical psychologist:

1. Earn your bachelor's degree

The first step to pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist is to receive your bachelor's degree. While a bachelor's degree in psychology is often the most common choice, related programs such as sociology or pre-med are also options. Most programs take four years to complete.

2. Pursue a master's degree

Aspiring clinical psychologists require a master's degree before applying for a doctoral program. These programs often take up to three years to complete if you attend full-time. Some schools offer integrated doctoral degree programs, allowing you to earn a master's degree while also pursuing a doctorate.

3. Obtain a doctoral degree

There are two doctoral degrees for aspiring clinical psychologists to choose from, with these including a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). A Psy.D. is often the preferred choice for clinical psychologists who want to work directly with patients. Both programs can take five to seven years to complete and require accreditation from the American Psychological Association.

4. Complete clinical training

The next step in pursuing a clinical psychology career is to complete clinical training. Clinical psychologists work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in a clinical setting to gain essential clinical experience. The required training can last up to two years before a clinical psychologist can obtain licensure.

5. Apply for licensure

To practice independently as a clinical psychologist, it's mandatory to obtain licensure. Each state has its own board with varying requirements, with sitting for and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology being one of these. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards oversees these examinations.

Clinical psychology jobs

As a clinical psychologist, there are numerous employment opportunities and work settings to choose from. You have the option to specialize in an area that aligns with your personal interests and career goals.While the national average salary for clinical psychologists is $217,714 per year, your earnings may vary depending on geographic location, experience and specialization. Here are some clinical psychology specializations worth considering:

1. Learning specialist

National average salary: $63,443 per yearPrimary duties: A learning specialist works closely with students, educators and parents to diagnose and treat children with learning disabilities and disorders. Schools and universities often employ a learning specialist to support students with disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD and visual or auditory processing disorders. Learning disability specialists ensure that students with disabilities excel academically.

2. Forensic psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per yearPrimary duties: Forensic psychologists combine the practice of psychology with the law. They actively work alongside the legal and criminal justice systems, conducting psychological evaluations of offenders to determine if they're fit to stand trial and providing expert testimony in court. They may provide attorneys and the court with client documentation and review their evaluations with necessary parties.Related: 12 Online Forensic Psychology Master's Programs

3. Sports psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per yearPrimary duties: Sports psychologists examine the impact of psychological and physical factors on athletic performance. They assist with maintaining the skills and protecting the overall health and well-being of athletes. Sports psychologists also work with athletes who may feel a loss of identity after exiting their athletic career due to a sports injury, graduation or termination and assist them with that transition.Related: 12 Sports Psychology Degree Jobs (Plus Duties and Salaries)

4. Psychotherapist

National average salary: $93,262 per yearPrimary duties: A psychotherapist typically works one-on-one with clients in a clinical setting. They may provide talk therapy or other therapeutic services depending on the client's needs. Common duties include developing individualized treatment plans and monitoring the progress of clients throughout their treatment.Related: How Much Does a Psychotherapist Make?

5. Child psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per yearPrimary duties: Child psychologists evaluate and treat the mental health needs of children and adolescents. They help children cope with a variety of diagnoses and stressors by teaching them techniques and coping mechanisms. Other duties may include working with children in a therapeutic setting and creating and implementing individualized treatment plans.Related: What To Do With a Degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology

6. Health psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per yearPrimary duties: Health psychologists assess the impact that biological, social and psychological factors have on an individual's overall physical health and well-being. They apply psychological science to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle and help prevent illnesses. They may create individualized treatment plans based on a client's needs and goals.

7. Neuropsychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per yearPrimary duties: Neuropsychologists examine the function of the brain and central nervous system in relation to a patient's physical behavior. Common issues they treat include brain injuries, developmental disorders, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and learning disabilities. They develop treatment plans for patients, which can include therapy, rehabilitation, medication and surgery.Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate’s experience, academic background and location.Related: 7 Careers in Neuropsychology

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