The Psychology Clinic is a mental health service, training, and research center operated by the Department of Psychology at Florida State University. We are dedicated to providing empirically supported treatment and assessment services to Tallahassee and surrounding communities.
Services are provided by doctoral level student therapists in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program under the close supervision of faculty members. The Clinical Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242; 202-336-5979). The Clinic Director is
Thomas Joiner, Ph.D., a world renowned researcher and clinician.
Assessment and treatment are available for adults, adolescents, and children. Assessment and treatment services are available to everyone in the community who contacts the Clinic, regardless of affiliation with the University.
Clinical psychologists often work in hospitals, private practice or academic settings. Clinicians are trained in a range of techniques and theoretical approaches. Some specialize in treating certain
psychological disorders, while others work with clients suffering from a wide variety of problems. Clinical psychologists treat some of the most severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
In addition to working with clients, clinical psychologists have to keep detailed records of client assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic goals and treatment notes. These records help clinicians and clients track progress and are often needed for billing and insurance purposes.
How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Typically Earn?:
According to the APA Research Office, in 2001 the average salary for a licensed clinical psychologist was $72,000. Of the psychologists surveyed, 65% worked in private practice, 19% worked in medical settings and 2% worked in some other human services setting.
The U. S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment in psychology is expected to grow faster than the average. The rising need for qualified mental health care professionals will contribute to a demand for clinical psychologists.
What Type of Degree Do Clinical Psychologists Need?:
While some individuals find work with a master’s degree, most positions require a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Some graduate programs accepts applicants with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, but most encourage students to get a bachelor’s in psychology before pursuing graduate study in clinical psychology.
There are two major training models for doctoral degrees. The traditional Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D.) emphasizes the role of the research and science. The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is primarily focused on clinical and practitioner work. Psy.D. programs are attractive to many students because they typically take approximately a year less time to complete than a Ph.D. On the other hand, Ph.D. programs tend to provide better funding of graduate students.
Is a Career in Clinical Psychology Right for Me?:
Clinical psychologists need to have excellent communication skills. It is also important to be creative when developing treatment plans and approaches. Before you decide on a career in clinical psychology, contact local human services providers about volunteer opportunities that may be available. Clinical psychology can be both a demanding and deeply rewarding field and volunteer experiences can help you decide if a career in clinical psychology is right for you.