What is a clinical psychologist?
Clinical psychologists play a vital role in supporting people with mental health challenges, and can be one of the most rewarding careers in mental health.
If your goal is to become a clinical psychologist, you'll help people understand and manage emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties. You'll take on the important role of assessing, diagnosing, and creating treatment plans tailored to the individual or group of patients you're working with. This work can involve one-to-one sessions, as well as therapy for couples, families or groups undergoing therapy together.
The work of a clinical psychologist makes a real difference – from supporting someone with anxiety to designing treatment plans for patients with complex conditions, including the interaction between mental health and physical health conditions. If you’re considering this career, here’s everything you need to know about the role and how to become a clinical psychologist.
Is there a difference between a psychologist and a clinical psychologist?
Yes – and it comes down to training and legal protection.
Clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologist is a protected title. You can only use it if you’ve completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Clinical psychologists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological therapy.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a broader term and not legally protected. Some people may call themselves psychologists without HCPC registration, although many are members of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and may hold titles such as Chartered Psychologist. Psychologists often work in fields like education, research, or counselling, which may not involve treating severe mental health conditions.
What is the main role of a clinical psychologist?
The main goal of clinical psychology is to deliver high-quality care to people with a wide range of mental health conditions. Sometime you'll do this through your own direct observation and clinical assessment, and at other times as part of a team.
Most clinical psychologists work closely with other professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists. Depending on your role, you may also contribute to research, teaching, or policy development.
What does a clinical psychologist do?
Your daily activities as a clinical psychologist will depend on your particular area of specialism, but may include:
Carrying out psychological assessments and diagnoses
Developing treatment plans tailored to each individual
Delivering psychological therapy in one-to-one or group settings
Promoting psychological wellbeing and resilience
Contributing to research projects.
Where do clinical psychologists work?
Clinical psychologists are needed in many different settings, forming a vital part of psychology services across the UK. As chartered psychologists, they provide expert support in both public and private sectors. This variety of service provision means you can shape your career around your interests – focusing on direct patient care, research and teaching, or developing strategies that improve access to psychology services nationwide.
This means you’ll find clinical psychologists working in:
NHS mental health services – delivering psychometric tests, therapy, and treatment planning
Private practices – offering specialist therapy to individuals, couples, or families
Local clinics and rehabilitation health centres – providing accessible support where it’s needed most
Universities and research institutions – shaping the future of clinical psychology through teaching and evidence-based clinical academic research
What qualities do you need to work in clinical psychology?
To succeed as a clinical psychologist, you’ll need qualities that support both patient care and your journey towards becoming a chartered psychologist. The key attributes listed below will help you provide safe, effective psychology services and progress confidently towards becoming a practitioner psychologist.
For working with patients:
Empathy and patience
Strong communication and listening skills
Emotional resilience
Problem-solving and critical thinking
To become a chartered psychologist:
Commitment to continuing professional development
Research and analytical skills
Ability to reflect on your practice
Professional integrity and adherence to ethical standards
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How to become a clinical psychologist in the UK?
The journey to becoming a clinical psychologist in the UK involves several key stages. Each step builds your knowledge, skills, and professional standing until you’re ready to be certified as a practitioner psychologist.
Step 1: BPS-accredited undergraduate or conversion psychology degree
Your starting point is usually a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate or conversion degree in psychology. Without BPS accreditation, you won’t meet the entry requirements for further clinical psychology training.
A BPS-accredited undergraduate or conversion psychology degree gives you:
A foundation in psychological theories and research methods
An understanding of human behaviour, cognition, and mental health
Eligibility to progress towards professional training.
At Walbrook, we’ve submitted our application for BPS accreditation of our conversion MSc Psychology programmes, and this is currently under review. Until accreditation is confirmed, our courses cannot be considered BPS-accredited. Once approved, they will give graduates the same Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) as an undergraduate psychology degree–a key requirement for moving on to doctoral training.
Step 2: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
After your degree, the next stage is the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy). Most places for clinical psychology doctorate courses in the UK are funded by the NHS, making this a competitive but accessible route for many students.
This programme combines:
Academic teaching in psychological theory and practice
Supervised clinical placements in healthcare settings
Research projects contributing to the field of psychology.
Step 3: Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
On completing your doctorate, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to legally use the protected title “clinical psychologist” and practise as a practitioner psychologist. This is a legal requirement.
Registration with the HCPC confirms that you:
Meet national standards for training and practice
Adhere to professional codes of conduct and ethics
Are recognised as a safe and effective clinical psychologist.
Step 4: Working towards chartership
Once registered, many psychologists choose to apply for chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Chartered status signals that you:
Have achieved the highest professional standards in psychology
Commit to ongoing professional development
Are recognised as a leader in psychology services and service provision.
Psychology conversion master’s degrees
If your first degree was in another subject, a psychology conversion master’s, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), is the recognised entry route into the profession. These intensive programmes are designed to give you the same eligibility for professional training as someone who studied psychology at undergraduate level. BPS-accredited conversion courses also give you Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – the essential requirement for moving on to clinical training.
What do you study on a psychology conversion master’s degree?
Conversion courses provide a broad foundation in psychology, including:
Core theories of cognition, development, and behaviour
Research design and statistical methods
Applied psychology in health, education, and work settings
Professional and ethical standards in psychology services
Walbrook’s online conversion master’s
At Walbrook, we’ve submitted our application for British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation, and this is now under review. Until accreditation is confirmed, our psychology master’s degrees cannot be considered BPS-accredited. If approved, our MSc Psychology will be the lowest-priced online BPS-accredited conversion course in the market – at just £7,080.
Until then, programmes are still highly valuable for anyone who wants to build a strong foundation in psychology, gain critical research and analytical skills, or apply psychological knowledge in their current career.
Our programmes include:
What is the fastest way to become a clinical psychologist?
There’s no true shortcut to becoming a clinical psychologist – the profession has strict standards to make sure patients receive safe and effective care. The quickest route is to study a BPS-accredited psychology degree, then move directly into the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), which is usually funded by the NHS.
For those with a degree in another subject, a BPS-accredited conversion master’s offers the fastest alternative, as it gives you the eligibility needed for doctoral training in around 12–18 months full-time. From start to finish, you can expect the whole journey to take around 10–12 years.
Areas of specialisation in clinical psychology
Clinical psychology is a broad field. Choosing an area of specialisation allows you to shape your career around what motivates you most – whether that’s supporting young people, helping families, or working with complex challenges. It may also you more competitive for senior posts and opportunities in NHS services, private practice, and academia.
Common areas of specialisation
By age group – working with children, adolescents, adults, or older adults
By condition – such as eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues
By setting – for example, forensic psychology in prisons, health psychology in hospitals, or community mental and physical health services
How do you specialise?
Specialisation doesn’t happen all at once – it develops gradually:
1. Work placements and volunteering – before and during your studies, placements and voluntary roles give you practical exposure to different areas of psychology services.
2. Doctoral placements – during your DClinPsy, you can complete supervised placements in different areas, which help you explore where your interests lie.
3. Post-qualification roles – once registered with the HCPC, you can apply for posts in your chosen field, such as child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) or trauma services.
4. Further training – many psychologists take short courses or postgraduate certificates to deepen expertise in therapies like CBT, systemic therapy, or neuropsychology.
5. Research and practice – focusing your research projects, clinical work, and professional development around a particular area builds your long-term profile.
Career pathways
Once you’re qualified as a clinical psychologist, there are many different directions your career can take. Some choose to remain in patient-facing roles, while others move into leadership, research, or consultancy.
Typical pathways often include:
NHS roles – most clinical psychologists begin in NHS mental health services, delivering therapy and assessments for children, adults, and older adults.
Private practice – experienced psychologists may open their own practice, choosing their clients and working hours for greater flexibility.
Specialist posts – focusing on areas such as trauma, eating disorders, forensic psychology, or neuropsychology.
Research and academia – teaching the next generation of psychologists or conducting research to advance the field.
Leadership and consultancy – managing NHS services, leading multi-disciplinary teams, or advising organisations and government bodies on mental health strategy.
What is the salary of a clinical psychologist in the UK?
A career in clinical psychology can be financially rewarding, but exactly how much you earn will depend on your role and circumstances. Pay isn’t the same for everyone – it changes as you gain experience, move between employers, or choose to specialise.
If you’d like to explore earnings across different psychology careers, take a look at our article: How much does psychology make? Highest-paying psychology jobs.
Factors that influence salary:
Experience
Salaries rise as you move from trainee to senior levels.
Location
Pay is often higher in London and other major cities.
Specialisation
Niche areas, such as forensic psychology, can attract premium rates.
Employer type
NHS salaries are nationally set, while private and academic roles vary.
With that in mind, let’s look at what you might earn at different stages of your career:
Starting out
Before you can apply for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy), you’ll usually need to build up hands-on experience in psychology services. This gives you practical insight, strengthens your application, and helps you decide which areas you’d like to specialise in.
Potential roles and salaries when you're starting outOnce qualified
After completing the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and registering with the HCPC, you can practise as a clinical psychologist. Most newly qualified psychologists begin their careers within the NHS, often rotating through different services.
Potential roles and salaries once you’re qualifiedSenior roles
With experience, you can move into senior positions that combine clinical work with leadership and service development. These roles often involve managing teams, shaping services, and influencing policy.
Potential senior roles and salariesPrivate practice
More experienced clinical psychologists might eventually choose to move into private practice. This offers greater independence but also requires building a client base and managing business responsibilities, as ultimately your earnings depend on how many clients you take on and the fees you set.
Potential roles and income in private practiceBuild your foundation in psychology with Walbrook
Becoming a clinical psychologist takes time, dedication, and the right academic foundation – but it’s a career that can be both meaningful and rewarding. Whether you’re just starting out or considering a career change, the first step is gaining a psychology qualification that gives you the eligibility to progress to doctoral training.
At Walbrook, our online psychology master’s degrees are built to give you that foundation in a flexible, digital-first format. We’ve submitted our application for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and this is now under review. Once accreditation is achieved, our MSc Psychology will also be the lowest-priced online BPS-accredited conversion course in the market – at just £7,080.
