2 answers
Tyson
Student
Franklin, Virginia
3
Questions
Updated
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How often does a clinical psychologist do psychotherapy compared to assessements of mental health disorders? Does it depend on the job? #Spring25
I am an incoming freshman to James Madison University and would like to know early on what to expect after graduate school. Any help is appreciated!
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
977
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Tyson,
Asking this question early on in your career is an excellent step because it's important to plan your journey as a clinical psychologist by understanding the balance between treatment and assessment.
In a nutshell, it depends entirely on the work. Clinics, hospitals, private practices, schools, prisons, and more are just a few of the various places where clinical psychologists can work, and each one has a unique mix of duties.
Psychotherapists frequently devote the majority of their time to psychotherapy in community clinics or private practices. On the other hand, psychologists who operate in specialized contexts (such as neuropsychology), hospitals, or schools may dedicate more time to preparing evaluation reports and performing psychological testing.
Assessments and therapy may be split 70/30 or even 90/10 in some professions, or the other way around. Others provide a more balanced combination, particularly if you become skilled in both. Depending on their interests, talents, and the demands of their job, many psychologists eventually decide to focus more on a single field.
Your practicum, internship, and postdoctoral training will increase your exposure to both kinds of work as you progress through your undergraduate and graduate courses. You can use those experiences to choose what combination of therapy and evaluation means the most to you.
Best wishes!
Asking this question early on in your career is an excellent step because it's important to plan your journey as a clinical psychologist by understanding the balance between treatment and assessment.
In a nutshell, it depends entirely on the work. Clinics, hospitals, private practices, schools, prisons, and more are just a few of the various places where clinical psychologists can work, and each one has a unique mix of duties.
Psychotherapists frequently devote the majority of their time to psychotherapy in community clinics or private practices. On the other hand, psychologists who operate in specialized contexts (such as neuropsychology), hospitals, or schools may dedicate more time to preparing evaluation reports and performing psychological testing.
Assessments and therapy may be split 70/30 or even 90/10 in some professions, or the other way around. Others provide a more balanced combination, particularly if you become skilled in both. Depending on their interests, talents, and the demands of their job, many psychologists eventually decide to focus more on a single field.
Your practicum, internship, and postdoctoral training will increase your exposure to both kinds of work as you progress through your undergraduate and graduate courses. You can use those experiences to choose what combination of therapy and evaluation means the most to you.
Best wishes!
Thank you for your answer! I will be taking this account all the way into the future.
Tyson
Great! You're welcome!
Chinyere Okafor
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
117
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hello and thank you for your question. Given the type of work, specifically with the type of clients, there will be a a need for completing assessments.
For example, the type of company will determine if the client needs a specific type of assessment. Sometimes the type of role makes the difference that also impacts the who is trained well enough to provide the type of service. Some clinicians may or may not be trained to do assessments, but are great clinicians and some are on the path of of just completing assessments. It all depends on what you want to learn, so ask your faculty away while in school so you'll be well trained.
Hope this helps!
For example, the type of company will determine if the client needs a specific type of assessment. Sometimes the type of role makes the difference that also impacts the who is trained well enough to provide the type of service. Some clinicians may or may not be trained to do assessments, but are great clinicians and some are on the path of of just completing assessments. It all depends on what you want to learn, so ask your faculty away while in school so you'll be well trained.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the advice! I will reach out to faculty.
Tyson
You're welcome
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC