What Does a Clinical Psychologist Do? Explained

Janine Peckham
Jun 29
5 min read

If you’re seeking professional support, you might be wondering: What does a clinical psychologist do? A clinical psychologist is a trained professional who specialises in assessing and treating psychological, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. They use psychological evaluations and therapy to help individuals manage life difficulties and relationship issues.

In this blog, we will explore the key responsibilities of a clinical psychologist, including the range of psychological assessments they conduct and the evidence-based modalities they use in their practice. We will also examine how their role differs from those of other mental health professionals and what sets the scope of their expertise apart.

Training and Qualifications

Clinical psychologists in Australia must complete an accredited university degree and supervised clinical training before they can practise independently.

The training process usually begins with a three-year undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by an accredited fourth-year course, such as an honours program or a postgraduate diploma. After this, they complete either a Master of Clinical Psychology (typically two years) or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (around four years).

After graduation, clinical psychologists must complete the Psychology Board of Australia registrar program, in which they undertake several years of supervised practice under experienced clinical psychologists and continuing professional development thereafter.

Once this training pathway is completed, clinical psychologists are qualified to provide evidence-based interventions for people with a wide range of psychological needs.

Understanding What Clinical Psychologist Do

Clinical psychologists are trained to provide a wide range of services, including psychological assessments, diagnosis, and therapy. They work with individuals experiencing psychological concerns and support them in developing effective coping strategies to improve their overall well-being. Some responsibilities of a clinical psychologist include:

Psychological assessment: Gathering comprehensive information about an individual’s psychological history and current symptoms.
Clinical formulation: Understanding the presenting issues, including how symptoms develop and what causes them to persist.
Evidence-based modalities: Designing targeted interventions based on clinical guidelines and research.
Therapy: Implementing psychological treatments to address the presenting concerns.

Treatment Modalities

Clinical psychologists use modalities that have been rigorously tested through scientific research. Some common modalities include:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy focused on changing unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It works by examining the connections between a person’s unhelpful thinking patterns and how these affect their emotions and behaviours. The person then learns how to recognise and challenge their unhelpful thinking, which can promote an increased sense of wellbeing.

CBT is a hands-on, goal-oriented approach that is effective for treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders like depression, and other concerns such as stress.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of mindfulness-based therapy that teaches people to accept their thoughts and feelings as they are, rather than trying to change them. Instead of attempting to stop or control unwanted thoughts or feelings, ACT helps individuals develop a new perspective on them.

This approach can help people stop struggling with their own thoughts and feelings, allowing them to focus on taking actions that align with their personal values. ACT is effective for a wide range of conditions, including stress, anxiety disorders (like PTSD and OCD), depression and eating disorders.

Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy combines elements from different therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Attachment Theory, to address personality disorders and other persistent concerns. This therapy helps you identify and understand unhelpful patterns, known as "schemas," which often form when one’s emotional needs are not met in earlier stages of life.

These deep-seated beliefs can lead to ongoing difficulties in life. The goal of Schema Therapy is to help you learn new, healthier ways to meet your emotional needs as an adult. It can be especially helpful for people experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma-related concerns, including PTSD.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that teaches people practical skills to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and improve relationships.

DBT is used to treat a range of psychological concerns, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with intense emotions, difficult relationships, or repeated patterns of distress. It focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a technique built on the idea that the mind can heal from psychological trauma in the same way the body recovers from physical trauma.

It operates on the principle that the brain's information processing system naturally tends towards recovery and mental well-being. When a traumatic event blocks this system, the emotional wound can lead to significant distress. EMDR helps to remove this block, allowing the natural healing process to resume and alleviate the symptoms caused by disturbing life experiences.

When to See a Clinical Psychologist

People usually see a clinical psychologist when emotional or psychological difficulties begin to interfere with their daily functioning, relationships, or work. This often includes:

Anxiety-related difficulties, including panic, worry, and social anxiety.
Mood-related concerns, such as depression or a lack of emotional responsiveness.
Stress and burnout resulting from workplace pressures or life transitions.
Adjustment difficulties following major life changes or health diagnoses.
Trauma-related symptoms requiring specialised reprocessing.

Clinical Psychologists vs Other Mental Health Professionals

While a range of professionals are trained to provide mental healthcare, clinical psychologists possess distinct skillsets and expertise. Unlike psychiatrists, clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication. Instead, they focus on psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions.

Compared to general counsellors or psychotherapists, clinical psychologists complete more extensive postgraduate training specifically focused on diagnosing psychological concerns and delivering evidence-based interventions.

You can read more about the differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist in our blog: “What Is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?”

Understanding Therapy Sessions

A therapy session follows a clear and structured process, which includes:

First session: The initial session is dedicated to assessment, clinical formulation, and goal setting.
Middle phase: This phase involves structured therapeutic interventions, which may include evidence-based approaches such as CBT or EMDR, in which individuals develop coping skills, explore patterns, or process difficult experiences.
Later phase: At this stage, the focus is on reviewing progress and building strategies to maintain improvements in everyday life.

Key Takeaways

A clinical psychologist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating complex psychological difficulties. In terms of what a clinical psychologist does, their role entails developing clear clinical formulations of psychological difficulties, providing therapy, and regularly reviewing the treatment plan to ensure it is working effectively.

At Adelaide Clinical Psychology, our experienced team of clinical and registered psychologists offers evidence-based support tailored to every individual. We understand that reaching out for psychological support can feel overwhelming, so we are here to support you every step of the way.