Characteristics of clinical psychologist:

A clinical psychologist should have these characteristics.

Good communicator :

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Motivated :

A clinical psychologist needs to possess extensive knowledge of the theoretical, clinical, and
empirical bases of their field.

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.

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.

Traits of Active Clinical Psychologist:

Psychology is a field dedicated to studying the human mind and using that understanding to
help individuals, couples and families strengthen their relationships, overcome challenges and
enjoy a higher quality of life. Effective psychologists must have some degree of these common
traits, which passionate students can cultivate over time.

Active Listeners

Communication is one of the most important skills a psychologist can possess. Aspiring
psychologists should practice being active listeners by giving each conversation their full focus
and taking the time to consider other people are saying in a conversation.

Active listening also involves paying attention to nonverbal cues such as body language. This is
particularly important for psychologists, as some patients are not comfortable revealing
personal information. A sharp-eyed psychologist can determine when a patient is having
trouble communicating openly.

Empathetic Professionals

When a psychologist meets a new patient, one of the first steps he or she will take is to
establish a good rapport, or connection. A good connection is important because it encourages
patients to trust the professional and to open up about their feelings. Empathetic psychologists
tend to have an easier time establishing a strong rapport. In order to convey their genuine
concern, psychologists use careful tone of voice and communicate clearly.

At the same time, however, psychologists must also maintain a professional bearing at all
times. Psychologists sometimes work with difficult patients who may have committed crimes or
who conflict with their own worldview and values. It is important that psychologists mask their
own adverse reactions when necessary.

Ethical Individuals

Many professions require strict ethical codes and standards of conduct, and psychology is no
exception. Effective psychologists take the initiative to follow the standards set by the American
Psychological Association and their own state licensing boards. They conduct themselves
according to these strict standards in all of their professional tasks—from insurance billing and
client counseling to case management.

Patient Counselors

Therapy is not a fast process. It takes time to help clients overcome major problems in their
lives. Psychologists need to have plenty of patience. They must be able to maintain their focus
while patients talk through their problems. Every patient makes progress at his or her own
pace. In some cases, it may take years to make progress, especially if a patient is dealing with
significant trauma.

Active Learners

Effective psychologists would likely describe themselves as lifelong learners. The science of
psychology is continually changing with new studies and insights. These professionals need to
stay on top of the latest information in order to help their clients to the best of their ability.
They may attend professional events such as seminars and lectures, network with their
colleagues and read professional journals.

Ethics professionals of clinical psychologist:

This section consists of General Principles. General Principles, as opposed to Ethical Standards,
are aspirational in nature. Their intent is to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very
highest ethical ideals of the profession. General Principles, in contrast to Ethical Standards, do
not represent obligations and should not form the basis for imposing sanctions. Relying upon
General Principles for either of these reasons distorts both their meaning and purpose.

Principle A:Beneficence and No maleficence

Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. In their
professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom
they interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare of animal subjects of
research. When conflicts occur among psychologists' obligations or concerns, they attempt to
resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because
psychologists' scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others,
they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors
that might lead to misuse of their influence. Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect
of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.
Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility
Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work. They are aware
of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in
which they work. Psychologists uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their
professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and
seek to manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm. Psychologists
consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and institutions to the extent
needed to serve the best interests of those with whom they work. They are concerned about
the ethical compliance of their colleagues' scientific and professional conduct. Psychologists
strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or
personal advantage.

Principle C: Integrity
Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and
practice of psychology. In these activities psychologists do not steal, cheat or engage in fraud,
subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. Psychologists strive to keep their promises
and to avoid unwise or unclear commitments. In situations in which deception may be ethically
justifiable to maximize benefits and minimize harm, psychologists have a serious obligation to
consider the need for, the possible consequences of, and their responsibility to correct any
resulting mistrust or other harmful effects that arise from the use of such techniques.

Principle D: Justice
Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit
from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and
services being conducted by psychologists. Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and
take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and
the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.

Principle E: Respect for People's Rights and Dignity

Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy,
confidentiality, and self-determination. Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be
necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair
autonomous decision making. Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role
differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these
factors when working with members of such groups. Psychologists try to eliminate the effect on their
work of biases based on those factors, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of
others based upon such prejudices.