Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists treat patients who suffer from mental illness through counselling and psychotherapy.

Clinical Psychologist Job Description

Conduct psychological assessments and interpret results.
Formulate personalised intervention, treatment, and management plans for the patient.
Assess the client's condition, risk, and social needs during the intervention.
Plan and execute psycho-educational programmes and training.
Perform data collection and analysis to support research in psychological interventions.

Note

Psychologists can't read people’s minds. They make inferences based on small cues (e.g. body language) for insight into people's mental state.

What you should know about Clinical Psychologist jobs in Singapore

Nature of work

You will specialise in diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders, often using a variety of psychotherapy techniques.

Key Advice

Self-care is important. Learn to take care of your own emotional and mental health to help others.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements
A bachelor’s degree or master's in Clinical Psychology is required. It will take around 6 years to complete the studies.
Possible Pathway

Possible Pathway

Skills you need to pursue a Clinical Psychologist career in Singapore

Hard Skills

Professional Consultation

Expertise in professional psychological consultations, assessing mental health and offering guidance.

Psychological Assessment

Proficiency in psychological assessments using standard techniques to diagnose mental health conditions.

Psychological Intervention

Skilled in planning and applying therapeutic interventions to address various psychological issues.

Soft Skills

Communication

Excellent communication skills for effective discussions on complex issues and treatment plans with clients.

Collaboration

Ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals, contributing to holistic care and treatment planning.

Problem-Solving

Strong problem-solving abilities to develop tailored treatment plans and adapt therapeutic strategies.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists?

Clinical Psychologists help patients through counselling while Psychiatrists are practising Medical Doctors who diagnose mental illnesses and prescribe appropriate medicine.
Do Clinical Psychologists get paid just to hear people talk?

Clinical Psychologists' main responsibility is to observe how people talk. They must pay attention to their patients’ words and mannerisms, and pick up irregularities in their behaviour.
What is a challenge Clinical Psychologists face?

Clinical Psychologists often work with patients who are experiencing various mental health challenges, which can be emotionally intense and demanding.
How do Clinical Psychologists develop treatment plans for an individual?

The first step is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the individual's issues. Based on the assessment findings, Clinical Psychologists will make a diagnosis or classification, which can also help in setting realistic goals for the individual.
Are there considerations to take into account when assessing an individual's mental health?

There are many important factors to consider, such as assessing for specific symptoms or presenting problems and evaluating the impact of symptoms on an individual's daily functioning.