Psychologists

Psychologists typically perform the following tasks: • 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. • 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. • Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods. • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary. • Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy. • Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs. • Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy. • Maintain current knowledge of relevant research. • Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records. • Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests to obtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, or personalities. • Consult reference material, such as textbooks, manuals, or journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, or develop approaches to treatment. • Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care. • Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling. • Direct, coordinate, and evaluate activities of staff and interns engaged in patient assessment and treatment. • Supervise and train interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors. • Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.