Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Core Tasks

1. Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
2. Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
3. Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
4. Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
5. Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
6. Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
7. Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.
9. Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
10. Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
11. Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
12. Maintain current knowledge of relevant research.
13. Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.
14. Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests to obtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, or personalities.
15. Consult reference material, such as textbooks, manuals, or journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, or develop approaches to treatment.
16. Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care.
17. Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.
18. Direct, coordinate, and evaluate activities of staff and interns engaged in patient assessment and treatment.
19. Supervise and train interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors.
20. Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.
21. Consult with other professionals, agencies, or universities to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources or techniques, and to share occupational information.
22. Develop, direct, and participate in training programs for staff and students.
23. Plan and develop accredited psychological service programs in psychiatric centers or hospitals, in collaboration with psychiatrists and other professional staff.
24. Provide consulting services, including educational programs, outreach programs, or prevention talks to schools, social service agencies, businesses, or the general public.
25. Provide occupational, educational, or other information to individuals so that they can make educational or vocational plans.
26. Conduct research to develop or improve diagnostic or therapeutic counseling techniques.
27. Prepare written evaluations of individuals' psychological competence for court hearings.

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