We surveyed 513 clinical psychologists to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical clinical psychologist. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a clinical psychologist?
Low
High
Working as a clinical psychologist typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that clinical psychologists are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a clinical psychologist?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a clinical psychologist typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a clinical psychologist?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a clinical psychologist. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for clinical psychologists.
Is being a clinical psychologist stressful?
Low
High
Stress is not uncommon amongst clinical psychologists, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.
Is being organized important as a clinical psychologist?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being a clinical psychologist.
How competitive is the workplace for clinical psychologists?
Low
High
Competition at work is not common for clinical psychologists.
Does being a clinical psychologist require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for clinical psychologists.
Are clinical psychologists allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Clinical psychologists are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do clinical psychologists have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally clinical psychologists will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being a clinical psychologist physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a clinical psychologists is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are clinical psychologists exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Clinical psychologists tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being a clinical psychologist require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a clinical psychologist.
Does being a good clinical psychologist require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as clinical psychologists.