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Home » Career in Clinical Psychology: An Ultimate Guide On How To Become One!

Career in Clinical Psychology: An Ultimate Guide On How To Become One!

career in clinical psychology

Are you passionate about helping others overcome emotional and mental hurdles to lead fulfilling lives? If so, a career in clinical psychology might be your calling. Inspired by the heartwarming movie “Taare Zameen Par,” where a teacher transforms a young boy’s life by understanding and addressing his dyslexia, clinical psychology delves deep into diagnosing and treating various emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders. If you want to build a career in clinical psychology, this post is for you!

In the real world, countless individuals are struggling with these challenges, hindering their ability to experience happiness and normalcy. Clinical psychologists serve as beacons of hope, offering support and guidance to those in need. Their role is not just about identifying disorders but about providing compassionate care, patience, and strength to help individuals navigate through their difficulties.

The journey to becoming a clinical psychologist demands dedication and resilience. It requires a deep-rooted commitment to understanding the complexities of the human mind and behavior. With unwavering determination, clinical psychologists embark on a path that involves rigorous education, training, and practical experience.

Yet, the rewards of this noble profession are immeasurable. Every day, clinical psychologists have the opportunity to make a profound impact on someone’s life, helping them break free from the shackles of their disorders and rediscover joy and purpose.

If you possess the compassion, empathy, and mental fortitude required to walk alongside individuals on their journey to healing, then a career in clinical psychology awaits you. Come along to know everything about this profession!

What is clinical psychology?

Clinical Psychology is the practice of assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental and emotional disorders, ranging from depression, anxiety, and eating disorders to severe psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, in human beings. Clinical Psychologists typically specialize in one or more of these sub-specialties:

  • Child mental health
  • Adult mental health
  • Learning disabilities
  • Emotional disturbances
  • Substance abuse
  • Geriatrics
  • Health psychology

Who is a clinical psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional who specializes in assessing, diagnosing, and treating various psychological disorders and emotional difficulties experienced by individuals. They typically hold advanced degrees in psychology and undergo extensive training in conducting psychological assessments, providing therapy, and implementing evidence-based interventions to help individuals improve their mental health and well-being. 

Clinical psychologists work across a range of settings, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and academic institutions. They utilize their expertise to understand the complexities of human behavior and emotions, aiming to support individuals in overcoming challenges and achieving better psychological functioning.

What does a clinical psychologist do?

As a clinical psychologist, you might be working in different kinds of organizations and settings having different roles and responsibilities. However, a few of the common responsibilities are:

  • You will interact with your clients to help them in gaining insights, defining goals, planning actions to achieve the results.
  • You will work to identify all kinds of psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues and disorders. You will diagnose your clients with different kinds of assessments like a conversation, interviews, tests, etc.
  • You will use valid treatment methods like psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, etc. to treat your patients.
  • You will share the treatment with your clients.
  • You will diagnose and develop treatment plans in collaboration with other physicians and psychiatrists when necessary. Also, no medication will be given to them without any consultations.
  • You will maintain all clinical reports of each patient and will be responsible for capturing conditions whenever you are diagnosing patients.
  • You will provide with information related to the psychological management of the patient to their relatives or caretakers.

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How to become a clinical psychologist in India?

To build a career in clinical psychology, you need to follow the following career pathways: 

Career Pathway 1

Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies – UG in Psychology / Clinical Psychology / similar subject – PG in Clinical Psychology

After your Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, you can study Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies and then study for an undergraduate degree in Psychology / Clinical Psychology / similar subject (Honours or specialization is an advantage) followed by a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

Career Pathway 2

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per scheme of studies – UG in Psychology / Clinical Psychology / similar subject – PG in Clinical Psychology – M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology

After your Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, you can study Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies and then study for an undergraduate degree in Psychology / Clinical Psychology / similar subject (Honours or specialization is an advantage) followed by a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Now you can opt for an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology.

Career Pathway 3

Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies – UG in Psychology / Clinical Psychology / similar subject – PG in Clinical Psychology – Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

After your Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies, you can study Class 11-12 with any subject as per the scheme of studies and then study for an undergraduate degree in Psychology / Clinical Psychology / similar subject (Honours or specialization is an advantage) followed by a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. After the Master’s, you may proceed to study for a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Now, it’s time to explore the… 

Educational requirements to become a clinical psychologist

The following are the educational requirements to become a clinical psychologist in India: 

Undergraduate studies after school

To become a Clinical Psychologist, you can take Psychology/ Clinical Psychology with any other subjects at college (Honours will be an advantage)

Alternatively, you can take any discipline in college.

Post Graduate and Doctoral studies

After finishing your graduation, you can take Clinical Psychology at the Master’s level. You can take the following specializations: Applied Psychology \ Behavioural Neuroscience \ Child Psychology \ Computational Psychology \ Criminology (Psychology) \ Cyberpsychology \ Developmental Psychology \ Experimental Psychology \ Forensic Psychology \ Health Psychology \ Industrial and Organizational Psychology \ Rehabilitation Psychology.

Post-Doctoral studies:

Clinical Psychology is a career with most of the opportunities coming after a Ph.D. So, after your master’s degree, you can take a Ph.D. course in Clinical Psychology with specializations in Applied Psychology \ Behavioural Neuroscience \ Child Psychology \ Computational Psychology \ Criminology (Psychology) \ Cyberpsychology \ Developmental Psychology \ Experimental Psychology \ Forensic Psychology \ Health Psychology \ Industrial and Organizational Psychology \ Rehabilitation Psychology.

Note that in India, most universities offer specialized UG and PG Clinical Psychology courses, including, but not limited to, the University of Delhi, the University of Mumbai, Jamia Milia Islamia, the University of Calcutta, Guru Nanak Dev University, the University of Calicut, Manipal University, Amity University, among others.

Fee Structure

The cost of pursuing a UG or PG degree program in Clinical Psychology will depend on the institute you are pursuing it from. As government colleges are highly subsidized, the cost of pursuing the course from a government college will be very low whereas private colleges may be costlier. All in all, pursuing a course in Clinical Psychology may cost you anywhere from Rs 15,000 to several lakhs depending on the institute you pursue it from.

Scope of clinical psychology

Clinical psychology is a dynamic field that seamlessly intertwines scientific principles with societal needs. It delves deep into understanding human behavior and the intricacies of the mind, encompassing both conscious and subconscious realms. With its wide-ranging applications, clinical psychology plays a pivotal role in promoting well-being across various domains of life.

Career paths in clinical psychology offer abundant opportunities for growth and specialization. Beginning as an associate psychologist, one can progress to become a psychologist, consultant psychologist, and ultimately head a department. Similarly, roles in academia provide a structured trajectory from assistant professor to professor emeritus, with prospects for administrative positions.

In forensic departments, starting as a senior scientist officer can lead to advancements as a principal scientific officer and director of the laboratory. Research-oriented roles offer avenues for development from a research associate to a scientist in progressive grades.

Moreover, clinical psychologists in hospitals can ascend to senior psychologist and head of department roles, albeit with pay scale advancements potentially outpacing professional profiles. This multifaceted scope underscores the importance and versatility of clinical psychology in addressing diverse societal needs and fostering individual and collective well-being.

Clinical psychologist salary in India

In India, the salary of a clinical psychologist varies depending on various factors such as the sector of employment, level of experience, and job role. For those working in government hospitals, the salary ranges from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month under Grade 10 of the 7th pay commission. Assistant professors can earn between Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 monthly. Senior Scientific Officers in forensic departments receive similar pay scales, ranging from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500.

In the private sector, clinical psychologists can work with healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, or multinational corporations, earning anywhere from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 monthly, depending on the organization and their role.

For those with 2-5 years of experience, salaries typically range from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 75,000 per month. With 5-10 years of experience, mid-level professionals can earn between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 monthly.

At the senior level, individuals with over ten years of experience can earn significantly higher salaries, ranging from Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 in government roles and potentially more in the private sector. These variations highlight the diverse opportunities and earning potentials within the field of clinical psychology in India.

Final Words!

A career in clinical psychology can be a great option as it offers several opportunities and pays well too. The point to remember here is that people do not pursue this vocation just by earning money; what motivates them is the positive impact they will be making in the lives of their patients. In a country, as populated as India, there is a dire need for well-trained clinical psychologists. So, if you have the skills and attitude required for this career, do consider it.

iDreamCareer has been rebuilding relationships between the industry & academia by planning millions of careers. Take advantage of iDreamCareer’s College & Course Selection Program today and embark on the path toward a successful future! 

FAQs

How many years to become a clinical psychologist? 

To become a clinical psychologist in India, one must pursue an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, totaling 5 years. Following this, a 2-year MPhil in Clinical Psychology is required for specialization. After completing the MPhil, one can apply for RCI recognition, a crucial step in establishing professional credentials.

Is clinical psychology a good career?

Yes, clinical psychology is a rewarding and fulfilling career path. It offers opportunities to make a positive impact on individuals’ mental health and well-being. With increasing awareness and acceptance of mental health issues, there is a growing demand for qualified clinical psychologists, making it a promising and impactful career choice.

How can I become a Clinical Psychologist in India?

To become a Clinical Psychologist in India, you typically need to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Clinical Psychology followed by a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Additionally, you may choose to pursue further education such as an M.Phil. or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology for advanced specialization.

Which universities in India offer Clinical Psychology courses?

Several universities in India offer specialized undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Clinical Psychology. These include the University of Delhi, the University of Mumbai, Jamia Milia Islamia, and many others. Additionally, private institutions like Amity University and Manipal University also provide programs in Clinical Psychology.

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4 thoughts on “Career in Clinical Psychology: An Ultimate Guide On How To Become One!”

  1. Thankyou for the information, it’s really good. I have a Q, if a person who is graduate in philosophy can do ma clinical psychology or can become clinical psychologist?
    And which university offers ma psychology in this situation?

    1. Hello,

      Typically masters degrees in Psychology are open to graduates from any discipline. There may be entrance exams for each though. Ambedkar University (Delhi), Dr. DY Patil (Pune), TISS (Mumbai) are few of the colleges offering masters in Clinical Psychology.

  2. I am unquestionably bookmarking this web site and sharing it with my friends. You will be getting plenty of visitors to your web site from me!

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