What can a clinical psychologist do that a regular person cannot do?

A clinical psychologist has either a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology or a Psy.D. a Doctor of Psychology degree. The former will write a dissertation based upon original research. The latter will complete a project or more practical research that contributes to the field of psychology. S/he will have completed a pre-doctoral internship and a post-doctoral internship for the required hours to sit for the national EPPP licensing examination.

What can s/he do that a regular person cannot do? A clinical psychologist can see clients/patients for individual, couples, or family therapy. S/he can administer psychological testing for a variety of problems, e.g., learning disorders, psychological disorders, or academic/behavioral problems. Depending upon their training they may work with children providing therapy, they may work in a medical setting or in industrial settings to assess work-related problems. The last area where a psychologist may provide services is in the field of forensic psychology. There are many other areas of specialization where additional training is necessary. Unlike a psychiatrist who has a medical degree and a specialty in psychiatry, psychologists cannot write prescriptions.

Some of the newer areas of training and certification are in Pain Management, the use of Hypnotherapy and Psychology for Addiction & Health Related Problems and the area of Psychoneuroimmunology, the use of the mind/body interaction for the management/treatment of chronic disease processes.

Be Well!
Lawrence J. Schulte, Ph.D. C.Ht.

Ph.D. Clinical Health Psychology (1990-Present)
Registered Hypnotherapist (2016-Present)

First answered in Quora March 25, 2018

Who has participated in a cognitive-behavior therapy program? Was it helpful with anxiety issues?

I have participated in cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety for the treatment of a fear of flying. One of the first techniques that I learned was a simple breath meditation for relaxation. I was taught to breathe through my nose and exhale through my mouth (behavioral) and if my mind wandered to worrying about an upcoming flight (anticipatory anxiety) I would bring my focus back to my breath. This technique was used weeks before the flight.

My therapist focused on my catastrophic thinking (the plane will crash) and helped me challenge these thoughts (cognitive). He also taught me to use self-talk to challenge negative thoughts. “I am actually safer in an airplane than I am while driving my car on an L.A. freeway.” He also taught me to use distraction as a means to relax on longer flights, i.e., books on tape, DVDs, and Ted Talks.

I have used these techniques for other stressful situations, e.g., driving on L.A. freeways. During the course of my training for my Ph.D. in clinical health psychology, I also specialized in cognitive-behavioral therapy and use it every day with my patients with many different presenting problems. I tell them: “if you can change your thoughts, you can change your behavior!”

Be Well!
Lawrence J. Schulte, Ph.D. C.Ht.

Ph.D. Clinical Health Psychology 1990-Present
Registered Hypnotherapist (2016-Present)