15 Great Places Where Clinical Psychologists Can Work
With a field experiencing unprecedented growth, clinical psychologists have an expanding array of career opportunities across diverse sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for clinical and counseling psychologists will increase by 8% between 2022 and 2032, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This comprehensive guide explores 15 excellent workplace options for clinical psychology professionals, each offering unique challenges, rewards, and career advancement potential.
There isn’t just one path to becoming a clinical psychologist, and those interested in the field aren’t necessarily headed for careers in private practice. In fact, less than a quarter of clinical psychologists own their practices, with the majority finding fulfilling careers across various institutional and organizational settings.
Quick Navigation: Jump to any section below to explore specific workplace opportunities for clinical psychologists.
Table of Contents
- 1. Private Practice Psychology Clinics
- 2. Hospitals and Medical Centers
- 3. Mental Health Treatment Centers
- 4. Schools and Educational Institutions
- 5. Corporate and Employee Assistance Programs
- 6. Government and Military Settings
- 7. Universities and Research Institutions
- 8. Nonprofit Organizations
- 9. Correctional Facilities
- 10. Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
- 11. Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
- 12. Community Health Centers
- 13. Telehealth and Digital Platforms
- 14. Forensic Psychology Settings
- 15. Sports Psychology Organizations
- Workplace Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Private Practice Psychology Clinics
Private practice remains one of the most sought-after career paths for clinical psychologists, offering autonomy, flexible scheduling, and the opportunity to specialize in specific therapeutic approaches. Approximately 24% of psychologists are self-employed, making this one of the most common workplace settings.
In private practice, clinical psychologists can focus on particular client populations, such as adolescents, couples, or individuals with specific disorders. Many practitioners specializing in evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or trauma-focused therapies find private practice particularly rewarding.
The financial benefits can be substantial, with established private practitioners often earning well above the national median. However, success requires strong business acumen, marketing skills, and the ability to manage administrative responsibilities alongside clinical duties.
2. Hospitals and Medical Centers
Hospital settings provide clinical psychologists with opportunities to work in integrated healthcare environments, collaborating closely with medical professionals to address both physical and mental health needs. While only about 7% of psychologists currently work in hospitals, this sector is experiencing significant growth as healthcare systems increasingly recognize the importance of behavioral health services.
Hospital-based psychologists often work in emergency departments, intensive care units, pediatric units, and specialized medical floors. They conduct psychological assessments, provide crisis intervention, help patients cope with medical diagnoses, and support families during difficult medical situations.
The work environment is fast-paced and requires adaptability, but offers excellent benefits, job security, and opportunities for professional development within multidisciplinary teams.
3. Mental Health Treatment Centers
Community mental health centers serve as critical access points for mental health services, particularly for underserved populations. These facilities often provide sliding-scale fees and accept various insurance plans, making mental health care accessible to diverse socioeconomic groups.
Clinical psychologists in these settings typically provide individual and group therapy, conduct psychological assessments, and participate in treatment planning with multidisciplinary teams. The work is often challenging but highly rewarding, as practitioners directly impact their communities’ mental health outcomes.
Many mental health centers offer loan forgiveness programs and excellent professional development opportunities, making them attractive options for recent graduates with student debt.
4. Schools and Educational Institutions
Nearly one-third of clinical psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools, serving as essential members of educational teams. School-based psychologists address behavioral issues, provide counseling services, conduct assessments for special education placements, and develop intervention strategies for students with diverse needs.
The school environment offers regular schedules, summers off, and the opportunity to make lasting impacts on young lives. School psychologists often work closely with teachers, administrators, and parents to create supportive educational environments that promote both academic and emotional growth.
Many states have specialized PsyD programs that prepare graduates specifically for school-based practice, combining clinical training with educational psychology principles.
5. Corporate and Employee Assistance Programs
Corporate settings increasingly recognize the value of mental health support for employee productivity and retention. Clinical psychologists in corporate environments work through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), providing confidential counseling services, stress management programs, and organizational consultation.
These positions often involve conducting psychological assessments for leadership development, providing crisis intervention services, and developing workplace wellness initiatives. The corporate environment typically offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to impact organizational culture positively.
Human resources consultancies also hire clinical psychologists to provide expertise on organizational behavior, leadership coaching, and team dynamics, combining psychological principles with business objectives.
6. Government and Military Settings
Government employment offers clinical psychologists stable career paths with excellent benefits and opportunities to serve diverse populations. Federal, state, and local government agencies employ psychologists in various capacities, from direct service provision to policy development and program evaluation.
Military settings present unique opportunities to serve active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families. As awareness of combat-related mental health issues grows, the demand for clinical psychologists in military healthcare systems continues to increase. These positions often include specialized training in trauma treatment and military culture.
Government positions typically offer job security, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for advancement through clearly defined career pathways. About 10% of psychologists work in government settings.
7. Universities and Research Institutions
University settings, which combine clinical practice with research opportunities, are ideal for psychologists interested in advancing the field through empirical studies. University counseling centers serve student populations, while research institutions focus on developing and testing new therapeutic interventions.
Academic medical centers offer particularly rich environments where clinical psychologists can engage in patient care, research, and teaching simultaneously. These positions often require doctoral degrees and may involve publishing research, securing grant funding, and mentoring graduate students.
University-based positions provide intellectual stimulation, flexible schedules, and opportunities for sabbatical leaves, though they may require balancing clinical, research, and administrative responsibilities.
8. Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations offer clinical psychologists opportunities to work with specific populations or causes they’re passionate about. These organizations often serve vulnerable populations, including individuals with autism, survivors of domestic violence, or people experiencing homelessness.
Nonprofit work allows psychologists to combine direct service provision with advocacy efforts, grant writing, and community outreach. Many nonprofits offer competitive benefits and mission-driven work environments that attract idealistic professionals.
Clinical psychologists in nonprofit settings often wear multiple hats, providing therapy, conducting assessments, developing programs, and participating in fundraising activities. The work can be deeply fulfilling for those committed to social justice and community improvement.
9. Correctional Facilities
The criminal justice system presents both challenging and rewarding opportunities for clinical psychologists. With approximately 20% of incarcerated individuals suffering from serious mental illness, and 83% of inmates with mental health conditions receiving no treatment, the need for qualified mental health professionals is critical.
Correctional psychologists conduct psychological assessments, provide individual and group therapy, develop treatment plans, and often testify in court proceedings. The work requires strong clinical skills, cultural competence, and the ability to maintain therapeutic relationships in challenging environments.
Despite the demanding nature of correctional work, many psychologists find it deeply rewarding to help individuals who have limited access to mental health services and to contribute to rehabilitation efforts that reduce recidivism.
10. Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
With substance abuse and addiction reaching epidemic proportions, clinical psychologists specializing in addiction treatment are in high demand. Drug overdose deaths in the United States have more than tripled over the past two decades, creating urgent needs for qualified treatment professionals.
Addiction treatment settings include residential facilities, outpatient clinics, and intensive outpatient programs. Clinical psychologists in these environments provide individual and group therapy, conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and often work with family members affected by addiction.
The work requires specialized training in addiction psychology, motivational interviewing, and evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders. Many treatment centers offer competitive salaries and opportunities for professional development in this rapidly evolving field.
11. Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
The Department of Veterans Affairs operates one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States, employing thousands of clinical psychologists to serve veterans and their families. VA medical centers offer comprehensive mental health services, including specialized programs for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse.
VA psychologists often specialize in trauma-focused therapies, working with veterans who have experienced combat trauma, military sexual trauma, or other service-related psychological injuries. The VA system emphasizes evidence-based treatments and provides extensive training opportunities.
Benefits of VA employment include competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, loan repayment programs, and opportunities for career advancement within a large healthcare system committed to serving those who served their country.
12. Community Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community health centers serve as medical homes for underserved populations, providing integrated physical and behavioral health services. Clinical psychologists in these settings work alongside primary care physicians, nurses, and social workers to address the complex needs of diverse patient populations.
Community health centers often serve patients with limited insurance coverage, language barriers, and complex social determinants of health. The work requires cultural competence, flexibility, and strong collaboration skills.
Many community health centers offer loan forgiveness programs, making them attractive options for graduates with significant student debt. The integrated care model provides opportunities to work holistically with patients’ physical and mental health needs.
13. Telehealth and Digital Platforms
The rapid expansion of telehealth services, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has created new opportunities for clinical psychologists to provide services remotely. Digital mental health platforms, online therapy services, and telehealth companies increasingly employ licensed psychologists to provide evidence-based treatments via video conferencing and digital tools.
Telehealth positions offer flexibility, reduced commuting time, and opportunities to serve clients across broader geographic areas. Many psychologists combine telehealth work with traditional in-person practice, creating hybrid career models that maximize both reach and flexibility.
This emerging field requires technological proficiency, strong communication skills, and adherence to licensing regulations that vary by state. The growth of online psychology programs has also created opportunities for remote supervision and consultation.
14. Forensic Psychology Settings
Forensic psychology combines psychological expertise with legal systems, offering specialized career paths in courts, law enforcement agencies, and legal consulting firms. Forensic psychologists conduct competency evaluations, provide expert testimony, assess risk factors, and develop psychological profiles for criminal investigations.
Law firms increasingly hire clinical psychologists to provide insights into human behavior, jury selection, and case strategy. The understanding of psychological factors in legal proceedings makes forensic psychologists valuable consultants in both criminal and civil cases.
This specialized field requires additional training in legal procedures, ethical considerations specific to forensic work, and the ability to communicate psychological concepts clearly to legal professionals and juries.
15. Sports Psychology Organizations
Sports psychology represents a growing niche within clinical psychology, serving athletes, coaches, and sports organizations. Clinical psychologists in sports settings help athletes manage performance anxiety, recover from injuries, develop mental toughness, and maintain work-life balance.
Professional sports teams, Olympic training centers, and college athletic departments increasingly recognize the importance of mental health support for athletic performance and overall well-being. These positions often combine clinical skills with specialized knowledge of sports culture and performance psychology.
Competitive sports psychology positions offer unique opportunities to work with high-achieving individuals and contribute to both athletic success and personal development in highly motivated populations.
Workplace Comparison: Clinical Psychology Career Settings
| Work Setting | Average Salary Range | Job Growth Outlook | Work-Life Balance | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Practice | $80,000 – $150,000+ | Excellent | High flexibility | Autonomy, specialization opportunities |
| Hospitals | $75,000 – $120,000 | Very good | Moderate | Comprehensive benefits, team collaboration |
| Schools | $60,000 – $95,000 | Good | Excellent | Summers off, stable schedule, impact on youth |
| Government/Military | $70,000 – $110,000 | Good | Good | Job security, excellent benefits, loan forgiveness |
| Universities | $65,000 – $100,000 | Moderate | High flexibility | Research opportunities, sabbaticals, intellectual stimulation |
Salary Note: Compensation varies significantly by geographic location, experience level, specialization, and specific employer. Higher-cost-of-living areas typically offer higher salaries to compensate for the increased expenses.
Career Development and Growth Opportunities
Clinical psychology offers diverse pathways for career advancement and professional development. Many psychologists transition between multiple work settings throughout their careers, combining various work environments as their interests and life circumstances evolve.
Professional development opportunities include specialized certifications, continuing education requirements, supervision and mentoring roles, and leadership positions within organizations. Many states require practitioners to complete ongoing continuing education credits to maintain their licensure, ensuring that they stay current with evolving best practices and research findings.
For those interested in pursuing doctoral education, numerous accelerated PsyD programs and funded doctoral programs provide pathways to advanced credentials and specialized training.
Geographic Considerations and Salary Variations
Location significantly impacts both job availability and compensation for clinical psychologists. States with major metropolitan areas, higher costs of living, and strong healthcare systems typically offer higher salaries and more diverse employment opportunities.
For detailed information about specific states, explore our comprehensive guides to psychology programs and career opportunities, including resources for California psychology careers and Texas psychology opportunities.
Rural and underserved areas often offer loan forgiveness programs, lower living costs, and opportunities to make a significant community impact, making them attractive options for service-minded practitioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What education is required for clinical psychology jobs?
Most clinical psychology positions require a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical psychology from an accredited program. Additionally, all states require licensure, which typically involves completing supervised clinical hours and passing a licensing examination. Some positions may accept master’s-level education for certain roles.
Which work setting pays clinical psychologists the most?
Private practice and specialized consulting typically offer the highest earning potential, with established practitioners earning $150,000 or more annually. However, factors such as geographic location, specialization, and years of experience have a significant impact on compensation across all settings.
How do I obtain a license to practice clinical psychology?
Licensing requirements vary by state but generally include completing an accredited doctoral program, accumulating supervised clinical experience (typically 1,500-4,000 hours), and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Some states have additional requirements for specific populations or treatment modalities.
What’s the job outlook for clinical psychologists?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth in employment for clinical and counseling psychologists from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Increased awareness of mental health issues and expanded insurance coverage for mental health services drive this growth.
Can clinical psychologists work in multiple settings?
Yes, many clinical psychologists maintain positions in multiple settings or transition between different work environments throughout their careers. Part-time opportunities and contract work make it possible to combine private practice with institutional employment, for example.
What specializations are most in demand?
High-demand specializations include trauma and PTSD treatment, addiction psychology, child and adolescent psychology, geropsychology, and integrated healthcare. Telehealth capabilities and evidence-based treatment training are increasingly valuable across all specializations.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary for Psychologists and Psychologists, all other. National labor market information and state labor market information also sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor. Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2025.
SEE ALSO: Clinical Psychologist Salary by State
Clinical psychology continues to evolve as a dynamic and rewarding field, offering professionals numerous pathways to make meaningful impacts on individual and community mental health. Whether drawn to private practice, institutional settings, or specialized populations, clinical psychologists have unprecedented opportunities to build fulfilling careers while addressing society’s growing mental health needs.
