10 Qualities of an Effective Clinical Psychologist

If you dream of helping people treat and prevent mental disorders, you should consider a career in
clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists work in hospitals, private practices and other healthcare or
academic settings, and they may specialize in child mental health, adult mental health, learning
disabilities, emotional disturbances, substance abuse, geriatrics, or health psychology.

As therapists they work directly with clients and keep detailed medical records, and as science
practitioners they perform research in their field. Their primary goal is to improve their clients’ behavior
adjustment, adaptation, personal effectiveness, and satisfaction, and many also aim to improve
medicine’s overall understanding of mental health. To be an effective clinical psychologist, you should
be:

Quality #1: A good communicator

It is estimated that 75% of a person’s day is spent communicating in some way, and that might be a low
estimate for clinical psychologists. As a therapist, you must be a good listener who is capable of hearing
what your clients say and identifying the underlying meaning or problem behind their words and their
nonverbal cues, such as eye contact and body language. You must also be capable of communicating
knowledge, compassion, and treatment options to your clients. Your tone, intonation, expression, and
choice of words are important factors in how you communicate verbally. Written communication is also
important; you are the record-keeper for your clients’ other clinicians and insurance needs.

Quality #2: Passionate about science

As a clinical psychologist, you will be expected to engage in and be accountable for your own research —
a fact that separates clinical psychologists from other therapists — and so therefore you must be not
only capable of but enthusiastic about thinking scientifically: asking questions, thinking critically,
experimenting, and explaining your reasoning. Those communications skills will also come in handy
when it’s time to present your findings.

Quality #3: Curious

Clinical psychologists want to know what makes people tick. Each client is different, and the answer of
how to help each individual is not always readily apparent. Often the initial assessment is the first
opportunity to gauge the situation, so clinical psychologists must be able to ask insightful questions and
follow the trail of information to come up with the best solution for that individual.

Quality #4: Creative

Since each client present a new and different challenge, clinical psychologists need to be creatively
minded. You are responsible for coming up with new solutions, techniques, and suggestions for
bettering the quality of life of your clients. Since the goals are both medical and subjectively human, a
creative approach allows you to be more encompassing of the wide array of possibilities.

Quality #5: Confident

When it comes time to sit down and conduct a therapy session with a client, the clinical psychologist
must have confidence and a strong capacity for self-reflection. If you don’t have a handle on your own
triggers and issues, you can inadvertently bring those into the therapy room and put them on the client.
You must present yourself — a flawed human, certainly, but a trained professional — with poise and
integrity.

Quality #6: Thick-skinned

Clinical psychologists work with a wide range of patients, from people with relationship problems to
substance abusers to depressives to those with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder. Simply put: You can’t let it get to you. You must be able to bear the burden with grace,
to adapt and “roll with the punches,” so to speak, as well as bounce back from heartache. You must
handle the pressure, you must keep trying where others have failed, you must keep trying where you
yourself have failed.

Quality #7: Empathetic

As a therapist, you must be able to offer a caring, understanding, and empowering environment for your
patients. You must be able to respect autonomy and personal responsibility while acting as a guiding
and validating force for their health and well-being. You must be able to put yourself in their shoes. You
must accept who your patient is, fundamentally, and support them unconditionally; you cannot
withdraw your support if they do something wrong or that you disagree with. Your empathy helps
create a connection with your client, allowing you to sort through the inherent difficulties of the human
condition and address your client’s unique situation and find meaningful solutions.

TherapyQuality #8: Non-Judgmental

Clinical psychologists not only support their clients unconditionally, they also don’t criticize weakness or
incorrect action. Such value judgments weaken your clients’ trust and regard and render your advice
and services less effective. It goes without saying, but no therapist should discriminate against a client
with a different background or values — though for some people, that is easier said than done. You
must be steadfast in your commitment to be non-judgmental toward your clients.

Quality #9: Able to see patterns

Clinical psychologists must be able to see patterns, both internal and external, that people engage in.
These patterns are often the key to identifying when people are stuck in an unhealthy state of mind or
relationship. You can help your client immensely if you are skilled at recognizing such patterns and
bringing their attention to it.

Quality #10: Motivated

A clinical psychologist needs to possess extensive knowledge of the theoretical, clinical, and empirical
bases of their field. The acquisition of this knowledge takes considerable dedicated education as well as
fieldwork and training. After you begin practice as a clinical psychologist, you will continue to be tested
by long hours, piles of paperwork, an ever-changing field, and the stressors of helping others bear their
mental and emotional burden. Clinical psychology can be an immensely satisfying and meaningful
career, and those who succeed are highly motivated to contribute to the advancement of individual
health in the present and public health in the grand scheme.

Goals and Learning Objectives

Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology

Goal 1: To facilitate students' professional identity and practice as clinical psychologists

through fundamental knowledge of psychology, commitment to professional ethics,
understanding of multiculturalism & diversity, and by participation in life-long learning.

Objective 1. Base of Knowledge. Students will possess a broad foundation of knowledge

pertinent to the organismic, developmental, social and situational factors that are relevant to the
initiation and maintenance of human behavior.

Competency 1a: Students will demonstrate through papers, reports, examinations, theses and
other written means, systematic knowledge in the following foundational areas: History of
Psychology, Biological Bases of Behavior, the Development of Human Behavior, the Social,
Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior, and the Manifestations and Development of
Psychopathology.

Competency 1b: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the rules that govern professional
standards and the APA ethical standards by applying the rules of ethical behavior in research and
clinical practice.
Objective 2. Individual and Cultural Diversity. Students will be cognizant of individual and
cultural diversity; they will appreciate its value; and they will possess the skills necessary to
utilize their sensitivities within their professional lives.

Competency 2a: Students will be able to identify when issues of diversity are present and
implement effective strategies to deal with these issues during work with patients.

Objective 3. Continuing Education. Students will understand the necessity of lifelong learning
by participating in activities which promote professional training and continued education after
graduation.

Competency 3a: Graduates will attend and participate in professional meetings, workshops, etc.

Competency 3b: Graduates will continue with professional research and scholarship as
evidenced by professional presentations and publications.

Goal 2: To provide students' with in-depth training under supervised conditions in direct
service models of assessment, and therapy in order to practice as clinical psychologists.

Objective 1. Assessment Skills. Students will be able to assess the psychological functioning of
individuals and to communicate their assessments to others.

Competency 1a: Students will assess cognitive skills in the domains of intelligence, memory,
academic ability, and perceptual-motor proficiency, and they will assess personality functioning,
through both self-report and other-report inventories and through appropriate use of
psychological assessment instruments and interviews.

Competency 1b: Students will observe and evaluate behavior, and identify antecedents and
consequences in behavior chains.

Competency 1c: Students will be able to construct individual case formulations, diagnose
clients, and recommend appropriate interventions. They will also be competent in consulting
with other professionals, communicating their professional judgments, queries and concerns, and
justifying their conclusions.

Objective 2. Intervention Skills. Students will understand and be able to apply the techniques of
cognitive-behaviorally-oriented psychotherapy in a variety of settings.

Competency 2a: Students will interpret and explain the principles and techniques of applied
behavior analysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy, in both oral and written form.

Competency 2b: Students will demonstrate competence in the use of interventions based on
applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavior therapy.

Goal 3: To train students in the scientist-practitioner model who are competent in the
evaluation, production and dissemination of research.
Objective 1. Research Skills. Students will understand research methods, design and conduct
research studies, analyze data and competently evaluate research findings.

Competency 1a: Students will develop hypotheses and design studies that appropriately and
directly address a research question.

Competency 1b: Students will explain, analyze, and draw reasonable conclusions from data
based upon the essential principles of descriptive, inferential statistics, univariate, and
multivariate statistics. They will be able to communicate their analyses and conclusions to others
in both oral and written form.

Competency 1c: Students will interpret scientific literature, evaluate its significance and
understand its contribution to existing knowledge.

Competency 1d: Students will appreciate the value of disseminating knowledge to the scientific
community and the general public.

The American Psychological Association sets forth five principles by which

practitioners should act: beneficence and nonmaleficence, fidelity and
responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people's rights and dignity.

Beneficence and nonmaleficence mean that psychologists should try to

benefit clients and do no harm. Fidelity and responsibility mean that
psychologists must create trusting, respectful bonds with clients. The
commitment to integrity requires that psychologists be honest and accurate in
reporting facts and scientific data. The fourth principle, justice, asks that
clinical psychologists recognize each individual's right to caring,
compassionate psychological care. The final principle, respect for people's
rights and dignity, means that a psychologist should respect a client's right to
privacy, his ability to determine his own path, and confidentiality.

Confidentiality
An American Psychological Association survey found that psychologists
reported confidentiality as the most ethically troubling issue they faced. Most
commonly, clinical psychologists felt conflicted about reporting potential risks
to third parties (someone other than the psychologist and client). While
psychologists must report it to the authorities if they feel a person is in
imminent danger, disclosing information revealed in a private session with a
client is tremendously damaging to the clinical relationship. This creates a
difficult ethical issue that may be best resolved by consulting another
professional's opinion or returning to the APA Code of Conduct.

Conflicted Relationships
The second most common ethical dilemma reported by psychologists is
conflicted relationships with a client. A clinical psychologist is taught to
maintain clear, responsible boundaries between herself and a client. However,
if a client is a fellow community member or part of the psychologist's social
circle, it can be difficult to maintain appropriate boundaries. Again, when an
ethically questionable relationship develops, it is best to assess it in light of
the American Psychological Association Code of Conduct or to consult a
colleague for advice.

Payment
The third most common ethical dilemma reported by clinical psychologists
involves payment source or method. Most of these dilemmas concerned
insurance coverage, in which psychologists felt that they were being required
to provide inadequate care because of the financial limitations placed on the
client by insurance policy coverage. These ethical issues can be difficult to
resolve because of the bureaucracy involved in negotiating with insurance
providers.

Considerations
The ethical issues facing clinical psychologists are widespread and difficult to
resolve. While the Code of Conduct lays forth five important ethical principles,
these principles sometimes conflict and create problems. It is important to
remember to treat the client with respect and dignity, while maintaining a clear
and appropriate therapeutic relationship with him.

If ethical questions arise in your clinical practice, consult a colleague or the

APA Code of Conduct for advice. Many hospitals also have bioethicists who
can answer tough ethical questions about medical issues.