临床心理学（Clinical Psychology）是应用心理学的一个分支，主要是了解、预防及舒缓心理上的困扰及心理疾病。世界上多个国家已经将临床心理学列为需要注册的精神健康专业之一。如今，临床心理学主要应用的心理疗法的流派有：心理分析、人本主义、认知行为学派、家庭及系统治疗等。
临床心理学家主要是帮助人们缓解心理上或精神上的问题，有的帮助人们缓解身体上的疾病或创伤；有的安抚离婚者或失恋者的伤口。*(1)
就业展望
Clinical psychologists help people with mental or emotional problems adjust to life. Some help people cope with physical illnesses or injuries. Others help people facing crises such as divorce or the loss of a loved one.
以美国为例，该专业典型从业职业及其薪水（2012年5月统计）如下：
- 精神科医生（Psychiatrists）：$177,520
- 心理学家及=及其他（Psychologists）, All Other：$86,380
- 医师（Physician）：$184,820
- 产业组织心理学家（Industrial-Organizational Psychologists）：$98,800*(4)
- 心理健康咨询师（Mental Health Counselors）：$72,220
- 心理健康与药物滥用社会工作者（Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers）：$43,340*(6)
- 保育员（Child Care Worker）：$21,310*(10)
典型课程列表
| 心理学导论 | Introduction to Psychology |
| 变态心理学 | Abnormal Psychology |
| 行为科学统计数据 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences |
| 临床心理学研究原理 | Research Methods in Clinical Psychology |
| 临床方法 | Clinical Methods |
| 儿童发展学 | Child Development |
| 生理心理学讲座 | Seminar in Physiological Psychology |
| 实地考察讲座 | Seminar Fieldwork |
*(2)(3)
注：课程列表为本科专业课程列表。
选校分析
参考2014USNEWS临床心理学专业排名——
| 1 | 加州大学洛杉矶分校 UCLA |
| 2 | 北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校 University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill |
| 2 | 华盛顿大学 University of Washington |
| 2 | 威斯康辛大学麦迪顿分校 University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| 2 | 耶鲁大学 Yale University |
| 6 | 杜克大学 Duke University |
| 6 | 伊利诺伊大学厄本那-香槟分校 University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign |
| 6 | 堪萨斯大学 University of Kansas |
| 6 | 明尼苏达大学双城分校 University of Minnesota–Twin Cities |
| 6 | 宾夕法尼亚大学 University of Pennsylvania |
心理准备
Are You Ready To...?
Diagnose clients
Counsel individuals, families, and groups
Specialize in an area such as health psychology
Refer clients to psychiatrists for medication
Keep records
Keep up with the latest research
Attend conferences*(3)
学生评价
Able to combine academic learning with practical experience in order to learn about people's psychological challenges. Self-knowledge will help you gain insight into the struggles of others, and great listening skills will help you enter your clients' inner worlds.*(3)
参考资料
(1) 临床心理学 维基百科
(2) Major: Clinical Psychology The Princeton Review
(3) Major: Psychology College Board
(4) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 19-3032 Industrial-Organizational Psychologists U.S. Bureua of Labor Statistics
(5) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists U.S. Bureua of Labor Statistics
(6) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers U.S.Bureua of Labor Statistics
(7) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 29-1066 Psychiatrists U.S.Bureua of Labor Statistics
(8) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 19-3039 Psychologists, All Other U.S.Bureua of Labor Statistics
(9) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 29-1069 Physicians and Surgeons, All Other U.S.Bureua of Labor Statistics
(10) Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 39-9011 Childcare Workers U.S.Bureua of Labor Statistics
学校列表
美国
本科
综合性大学（非完全列表）：
研究生
非完全列表：