Skip navigation

Clinical Psychologists - 19-3031.02

O*NET-SOC Description

Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests, and formulate and administer programs of treatment.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Psychologist
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychologist
  • Child Psychologist
  • Clinical Therapist
  • Out-Patient Therapist
  • Pediatric Psychologist
  • Behavioral Psychologist
  • Eating Disorder Specialist
  • Sex Offender Treatment Professional

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Consult reference material, such as textbooks, manuals, and journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, and develop approaches to treatment.
  • Counsel individuals and groups regarding problems, such as stress, substance abuse, and family situations, to modify behavior or to improve personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
  • Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
  • Develop, direct, and participate in training programs for staff and students.
  • Direct, coordinate, and evaluate activities of staff and interns engaged in patient assessment and treatment.
  • Discuss the treatment of problems with clients.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans and diagnoses as necessary.
  • Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, and reference materials.
  • Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.
  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant research.
  • Observe individuals at play, in group interactions, or in other contexts to detect indications of mental deficiency, abnormal behavior, or maladjustment.
  • Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.
  • Plan and develop accredited psychological service programs in psychiatric centers or hospitals, in collaboration with psychiatrists and other professional staff.
  • Plan, supervise, and conduct psychological research and write papers describing research results.
  • Provide occupational, educational, and other information to individuals so that they can make educational and vocational plans.
  • Provide psychological or administrative services and advice to private firms and community agencies regarding mental health programs or individual cases.
  • Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.
  • Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests to obtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, and personalities.
  • Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, and play therapy.
  • Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.

Detailed Work Activities

  • advise clients or customers
  • analyze existing evidence or facts
  • analyze psychological testing data
  • assess therapy needs of patients
  • assist clients in understanding personal or interactive problems
  • compile information through interviews
  • coordinate social service activities with resource providers
  • counsel individuals with personal problems
  • decide which psychological tests to administer to clients
  • design systems in cooperation with colleagues
  • develop course or training objectives
  • develop plans for programs or projects
  • develop training programs
  • develop treatment plans
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • direct and coordinate treatment program activities
  • empathize with others during counseling or related services
  • evaluate patient response to therapy
  • evaluate patient's skills or capacities
  • evaluate performance of employees or contract personnel
  • follow confidentiality procedures
  • follow patient observation procedures
  • interpret psychological test results
  • monitor client progress
  • obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
  • obtain information from individuals
  • participate in staff training programs
  • plan therapy treatment program
  • refer clients to community services or resources
  • use behavior modification techniques
  • use conflict resolution techniques
  • use counseling techniques
  • use current social research
  • use grief counseling techniques
  • use interviewing procedures
  • use library or online Internet research techniques
  • use oral or written communication techniques
  • use psychological assessment tools
  • use psychological treatment techniques
  • use quantitative research methods
  • use scientific research methodology

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Clinical Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Aviation Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Health Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychology (Army - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Clinical Therapist
  • Psychologist, Chief
  • Psychologist, Developmental
  • Psychologist, Experimental