SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Case Manager
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Counseling Psychologist
  • Counselor
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  • Licensed Psychologist
  • LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
  • Psychologist

What do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists do?

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are licensed professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating a range of mental health issues, emotional difficulties, and behavioral problems. They apply principles of psychology to help individuals understand their feelings, handle stress, improve relationships, and navigate life challenges. These psychologists conduct assessments and evaluations to identify mental health conditions and develop personalized treatment plans, which may include psychotherapy, counseling, and therapeutic interventions. They work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, schools, and community organizations, and often collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Their approaches can be diverse, ranging from cognitive-behavioral therapy to humanistic methods, ensuring that they can tailor their techniques to meet the unique needs of each client. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists aim to empower individuals to achieve optimal mental well-being and enhance their quality of life.

What the work actually is

  • Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
  • Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
  • Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
  • Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
  • Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Knowledge

  • Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Therapy and Counseling Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Post-doctoral training
Doctoral degree
Master's degree

A normal week

  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Getting Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Medical software Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR · eClinicalWorks EHR software · Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS · UNI/CARE Pro-Filer
  • Video conferencing software Google Meet · Zoom
  • Analytical or scientific software Comprehensive Affect Testing System CATS · Noldus Information Technology The Observer XT · Statistical software · Testing software
  • Spreadsheet software Google Sheets · Microsoft Excel
  • Word processing software Google Docs · Microsoft Word

Tools

  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • High capacity removable media drives Universal serial bus USB flash drives
  • Electromyography EMG units Biofeedback equipment
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers

Who it suits

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn in South Africa?

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Clinical and Counseling Psychologists do?

Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others, Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans and Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.