Clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists help people to make positive changes to their thinking and behaviour. Their clients may be dealing with mental health problems, or trauma, so they need to be sensitive and understanding. Being able to actively listen is key, as they could be assessing their clients through interviews, as well as tests and observations. They will need to decide on the most appropriate form of treatment for their clients, and plan their treatment programmes. It's important for them to have patience and remain calm in stressful situations too, as they'll be dealing with vulnerable people. To become a clinical psychologist, you will need to complete a degree in psychology, which is accredited by The British Psychological Society. There are also approved postgraduate converstion courses if you graduated in a different subject. Following this, you will need to complete a 3-year postgraduate doctorate in clinical psychology - and competition for this is strong. Once qualified, clinical psychologists can earn from £28,050 to £85,333 once qualified.