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Psychologists attempt to understand people's capacities, traits, and behaviors and to explain their needs.

A clinical psychologist is concerned with finding, preventing, and treating emotional and mental disorders and helping clients/patients develop more rewarding lives. Clinical or counseling psychologists work directly with patients, interviewing, taking histories, administering diagnostic tests, and observing the patients' behaviors in order to help them with their problems. Therapy may be conducted in groups or individually. Clinical psychologists may collaborate with physicians and other health team members to develop treatment programs. A clinical psychologist does not prescribe medication. This requires a medical degree, which is earned by a psychiatrist.

Areas of Specialization
Psychologists may specialize in a variety of types of psychology, such as clinical, counseling, experimental, developmental, personality, physiological, educational, school, social, research, and industrial-organizational. The majority are clinical, counseling or school psychologists.

Work Environment
Counseling and clinical psychologists generally work in hospitals or clinics, or maintain their own private practices. Many clinical psychologists also work in medical centers where they deliver treatment and conduct research. In recent years, clinical psychologists are increasingly employed as researchers. Place of employment often determines working conditions. They usually have pleasant, comfortable offices. Those employed in hospitals or other health facilities may work evenings and weekends. Psychologists in private practice may set their own hours, but they may also work evenings to accommodate their clients. School psychologists often work in the school system. Industrial-organizational psychologists work with industry or in private consulting firms. All areas of specialization may be involved in college teaching and academic research.

Job Outlook
The number of Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists employed in Florida in 2006 was 8,051. It is projected that in 2014 there will be 9,627. This represents an annual average growth rate of 2.4 percent.

Length of Training/Requirements
At least a master's degree with a major in psychology is required for employment in the field of psychology. Many positions require a doctoral degree and it is of increasing importance for advancement. To become licensed as a psychologist, you must have a doctorate in psychology. At least two years of full-time graduate study is needed to earn a master's degree in psychology. Requirements usually include practical experience in an applied setting or a master's thesis based on research. The average number of years required to complete a doctoral degree is seven nationwide. In clinical psychology, the requirements for the doctoral degree generally include an additional year or more of internship. Competition for admission into graduate programs is keen, often requiring exceptionally high grades and combined GRE verbal and numerical scores above 1200. Many psychology programs offer a variety of specializations within the department. Students should contact the individual departments for areas of concentration.

Advancement
Government and private agencies offer promotions based on experience and excellent performance. A psychologist working in a mental health clinic may advance to director of the clinic. Success in private practice depends on the psychologist's skills and abilities as a practitioner, as well as some attention to marketing techniques and networking. Success in academic positions may result in promotion to full professor.

Licensure/Certification
Candidates for licensure must have a doctoral degree with a major in psychology from a program approved by or comparable to those approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). Two years of supervised experience in the field of psychology, only one of which may be pre-doctoral, are required for licensure. The written examination consists of two parts - Part I is the Examination for Professional Practice sponsored by the American Association of State Psychology Boards, which is a national exam. Part II of the examination is a state exam which tests knowledge of laws and rules relating to the practice of psychology in Florida.

Salary
The annual average wage for Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists in Florida in 2009 was $66,414.