| 1. Empathy and a person-centred approach to clients |
| 2. Tolerance of stress |
| 3. The ability to recognise your own limitations and respond to difficult situations |
| 4. The ability to apply your knowledge of academic psychology and research to clinical problems |
| 5. The capacity to be critical and analytical and to work in a self-motivated, independent way |
| 6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to deal with people in distress |
| 7. The ability to collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines |
| 8. The determination to succeed |
| 9. A strong understanding of the profession and the role of a clinical psychologist, and an awareness of current NHS issues. |
Task 19. Read the requirements to become a clinical psychologist. Fill in the table to placing each requirement under the appropriate heading. Then answer the following questions:
What skills do clinical psychologists need to have?
What knowledge do clinical psychologists need to have?
What do clinical psychologists need to be like?
| Skills | Knowledge | Personal Qualities |
Able to relate to people from a range of cultures; specialist skills in assessing behaviour such as neuropsychological, personality and child-assessment skills; knowledge of human behaviour and thought; able to relate to people from a range of cultures; skill in providing the appropriate treatment or therapy for clients; listening and interviewing skills, including skill using different interviewing methods; patient, and adaptable in their approaches to people and their problems; understanding and concerned for others; observant; up-to-date knowledge of theories on aetiology (causes of disorders) and clinical psychology research; able to work well under pressure; good people and communication skills; able to inspire confidence in others and keep information private; research and report-writing skills.
Key:
Skills & knowledge
Clinical psychologists need to have:
· knowledge of human behaviour and thought
· specialist skills in assessing behaviour such as neuropsychological, personality and child-assessment skills
· skill in providing the appropriate treatment or therapy for clients
· up-to-date knowledge of theories on aetiology (causes of disorders) and clinical psychology research
· listening and interviewing skills, including skill using different interviewing methods
· good people and communication skills
· research and report-writing skills.
Clinical psychologists who are self-employed also need to have business skills.