What is a Clinical Psychologist?
The title ‘Clinical Psychologist’ is a protected term in the UK, which means it can only be used by psychologists who have successfully completed an accredited NHS doctoral training programme. Training as a Clinical Psychologist involves completion of an undergraduate psychology degree followed by a period of years spent developing relevant clinical and research experience. Post graduate applicants can then apply for a three-year NHS doctoral training programme. Training as a Clinical Psychologist therefore usually takes eight years or more and leads to the attainment of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Clinical Psychologists draw on psychological science and behavioural theory to help make sense of an individual’s experience, to support the person to help reduce psychological distress and to achieve their goals. Clinical Psychologists are trained to assess and treat a wide range of psychological health difficulties and draw on multiple evidence-based theoretical models and psychological approaches in their work. This involves taking into account a range of biological, psychological and social factors that can contribute to psychological distress and poor health. By making sense of these factors, drawing on theory to develop a shared understanding and through the engagement with evidence-based psychological interventions with an experienced Clinical Psychologist, people can achieve improvements in how they feel and achieve their goals for sessions.
Clinical Psychologists also apply psychological theory to working with teams and organisations to support the development and maintenance of a healthy and productive workforce and to buffer the effects of workplace stressors, which can otherwise create difficulties for the individual and the organisation.
Clinical psychologists have the highest level of training across the psychological professions.
What is the difference between a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
Clinical Psychologists often work with Psychiatrists to achieve the best outcomes for people. While Clinical Psychologists predominately draw on psychological science and behavioural theory to guide their work, Psychiatrists draw predominantly on medical theory. Psychiatrists initially train for five years as a medical doctor, before completing two foundation years in a hospital and then specialising in psychiatry. As a medical doctor, Psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication. While Psychiatrists also consider psychological and social factors, treatment often involves the prescription of medication. Generally, individuals are more likely to feel better and achieve their goals when psychological, social and medical factors are all given due consideration within a person’s plan for psychology sessions.
