Clinical Psychology as a career

Swati (a hypothetical character) is an outgoing, full of fun and a good sense of humor. She joined a job recently as an IT Consultant. Her one problem was that she spends a lot of time in office washroom and she comes late to the office almost every day. She got a lot of warnings from the boss. But before she could leave the house in the morning, she has to be sure she was clean, so she needs to take a shower that lasted 2 hours. While taking shower she cleans her body especially her hands with soap more than 50 times so the hand remains rough all day. When her parents force her to come out of the bathroom, she usually shows aggression and shouts at them. After her shower, she spends a long time in dressing because she has to repeat each and everything she did, such as putting on her stocking, underclothes, and skirt, precisely 20-22 times. In the office, she touches everything by using tissue paper if she accidentally touches something by naked hand then she washes her hands. When she is asked about her washing and counting, then the only thing she says is: she knew it was crazy but she just had to do it and could not explain why. The manager suggested her to consult the Clinical Psychologist for her problem.

Clinical Psychology is one of the emerging career options in India by which we can not only earn good money but also help in the betterment of society. If you like to solve the problems of others and if you are a good listener, curious about behavior and non-judgemental, consider a career in Clinical Psychology. Clinical Psychologist focus on Psychological social and environmental factor to diagnose (like Swati diagnosed as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and treat Emotional, Cognitive and Behavioural problem and use various Psychotherapy to treat mental health Disorder like Cognitive Behaviours Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, etc. Occasionally they are involved with the client to solve the relationship issues, stress, but they also deal with clients who have mood disorders, dissociative disorder, and other mental health problems.

Our country requires a large number of clinical psychologists, but there is shortage of clinical psychologist in our country because only few universities / colleges in India have relevant courses and there are few other reasons. Whatever may be the reasons but We need a lot of Clinical Psychologist and other Mental Health Workers.

Required Education Qualifications Licenses

Graduation in Psychology is the first step toward becoming a Clinical Psychologist but If you don’t have BA / BSc in Psychology then also you may start studying Psychology from Master level. Few University offers MA/ MSc Psychology to those students who are non-Psychology Student. After completion of the Master in Psychology candidate may choose any one from the following course:

Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology is a full-time one-year course. The candidates on successful completion of the course get a license from RCI of Clinical Psychologist (Associate).
M.Phil in Clinical Psychology is a 2 Year full-time program. The candidates on successful completion of the course get a license from RCI of Clinical Psychologist.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology is 4 Year Program but candidate already registered with RCI as clinical psychologist following 2-year M.Phil clinical psychology degree, shall join the Third Year of PsyD Program and can complete Psy.D in 2 Year.

India’s Top 3 Institute

National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangluru	M.Phil Clinical Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi	M.Phil Clinical Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi	M.Phil Clinical Psychology

Other Universities/ Institutions are approved by rehabilitation Council of India, 2018

(List is not according to Rank)

Universities / Institutions	Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology	M.Phil in Clinical Psychology	Psy.D in Clinical Psychology
Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoli Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur	NO	YES	NO
Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh	NO	YES	NO
Post Graduate Institute of Behavioural & Medical Sciences, Raipur	NO	YES	NO
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi	No	YES	NO
B.M. Institute of Mental Health, Ahmedabad	YES	NO	NO
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar	NO	YES	NO
Amity University, Gurgaon	NO	YES	NO
Shree guru gobind singh tricentenary university, gurgaon	NO	YES	NO
Govt. Medical College, Srinagar	NO	YES	NO
Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry & Allied Sciences Kanke, Ranchi (RINPAS)-834006	NO	YES	NO
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka – 575 104	NO	YES	NO
Amrita School of Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre AIMS Ponekakara PO, Kochi, Ernakulam District, Kerala – 682041	NO	YES	NO
Institute of mental health & neuroscinces (imhans), govt. Medical college campus, kozhikode – 673008.	NO	YES	NO
Gwalior Mansik Arogyashala Jail Road, Gwalior, M.P. 474012	NO	YES	NO
Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences, Amity University Madya Pradesh	NO	YES	NO
Amity Instititute of Behavioural and Allied Scienced (AIBAS) Amity University Bhatan, P.O. Somathne Taluka – Panvelo, Mumbai – 410206	NO	YES	NO
Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, (RIMS), Lamphelpat, Imphal-795004	NO	YES	NO
Mental Health Institute (COE in Mental health) SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack , Odisha 753007	NO	YES	NO
Amity Institute of Behavioural & Allied Sciences (AIBAS) Amity University Rajasthan Kant Kalwar, NH–11C, Jaipur-Delhi National Highway Jaipur, Rajasthan–303002	NO	YES	NO
Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute Shri Ramchandra University,1, Ramachandra Nagar, Porur,Chennai – 600 116	NO	YES	NO
National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Tamilnadu	NO	YES	NO
SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM Deemed University, SRM Nagar, Potheri, Kattankulathur Kancheepuram Dist., Tamilnadu-603 203	NO	YES	NO
Institute Of Mental Health,Medavakkam Tank Road , Kilpauk, Chennai, Tamilnadu – 600010	NO	YES	NO
Sweekar Academy of Rehabilitation Sciences, Upkaar Complex, Upkaar Circle, Picket, Secunderabad, Telangana – 500 003	YES	YES	YES
The Institute of Chartered Financial Analyst of India (ICFAI) University, PO.Kamalghat, Sadar, Mohanpur, Tripura (West) – 799210.	NO	YES	NO
Amity Institute of Behavioural (Health) & Allied Sciences (AIBHAS), Amity University, Amity Campus, Sector -125, Plot No. 4, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida	YES	YES	YES
King George’s Medical university, Department of Psychiatry, KGMU Chowk, Shahmina Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – 226003	NO	YES	NO
Gautam Buddha University, Near Yamuna Expressway, Greater Noida, Dist. Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh – 201308	NO	YES	NO
Amity University, Malhore, Near Railway Station, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh– 226 028	YES	YES	NO
Nai subah sansatha nai subah, jawahar bhawan, sankatmochan crossing, lanka, varanasi, uttar pradesh – 221005	NO	YES	NO
Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, University Colleges of Science, Technology and Agriculture, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata West Bengal – 700009	NO	YES	NO
Amity Institute of Behavioural And Allied Sciences (AIBAS) Major Arterial Road, Action Area – II Rajarhat, New Town Kolkata – 700135	NO	YES	NO

*Source: Rehabilitation council of India

Admission Processes: Admission is based on an interview after the written examination. Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh conducts Entrance Examination only.

Clinical psychologists work in a wide variety of settings but that private practice is the most common. 60% of clinical psychologists involve in private practices and work in Hospital as a Clinical Practitioner, 18% Clinical Psychologist working in University/ College Psychology Department as Academician, 10% of clinical psychologists involved in Research, 6% working in Administrative Departments and rest of other working in different field like NGO, School etc. (Source: Norcross, J. C., et. al). You may choose one of the areas according to your interest.

Author: Arvind Otta

Source: Psychologs Megazine

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