Psychologist vs. Clinical Psychologist: What is the Difference?

Therapist, or psychotherapist? Psychologist, or clinical psychologist? In a field full of overlapping titles, it is understandable that students interested in clinical psychology careers need some guidance.

Despite the close similarities, these distinctions matter, with each role offering very different educational pathways.

So, what is the difference between a psychologist vs. clinical psychologist?

Besides appealing to potentially different types of students, the level of training and specialization involved is worth considering. Students may also be interested in how doctoral study in clinical psychology at Alliant prepares graduates to pursue licensure as a clinical psychologist.

What Is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is a broad professional term for individuals trained in the study of human behavior and mental processes. In many discussions about mental health careers, people compare psychologists with psychiatrists, especially when exploring differences in training, scope of practice, and the types of services each profession provides. These conversations often lead prospective students to ask questions such as “Do you need a PhD to be a psychologist?” or “Should I become a clinical psychologist?” as they evaluate the right academic and career direction.

The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that licensure as a psychologist is not standardized; some states may license with only a master’s degree, while the majority require a doctoral degree (such as a PhD in Clinical Psychology or PsyD in Clinical Psychology).¹

Given the breadth of this term, a psychologist may work in diverse subfields, including:²

• Brain science and cognition
• Clinical psychology
• Counseling
• Developmental psychology
• Industrial-organizational psychology
• Rehabilitation

Ultimately, the area of practice a psychologist seeks to work in (e.g., counseling, scientific research, clinical care) determines the type of degree and license required. This pathway also influences the academic milestones they must earn, such as practicals, supervised hours, and doctoral credentials aligned with their chosen specialty.

This also shapes the type of internship or postdoctoral residency requirements, providing further reason for students to determine their ideal “final goal” before delving into coursework.

What Is a Clinical Psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is a professional licensed to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Like regular psychologists, they generally hold a doctoral degree and undergo training in studying human behavior.

The difference between a standard psychologist vs. clinical psychologist mostly comes down to specialization.

Whereas “psychologist” is an umbrella term, a clinical psychologist focuses on:

• Providing evidence-based psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, or groups
• Employing psychological assessment tools to diagnose clients in a clinical setting
• Developing, executing, and adjusting ongoing treatment plans tailored to client needs

For many, this matches the traditional “image” of a psychologist: Someone who works directly with clients to manage challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and other issues.

For those interested in pursuing such a career, the doctoral programs in clinical psychology at Alliant University offer hands-on coursework, supervised practicum, and a range of clinical internships. These specialized programs align with licensure expectations across several states, with full APA-accreditation to prepare graduates for a rewarding career in clinical psychology.

Education and Training Requirements

Because psychology spans everything from research to teaching to hands-on clinical care, both general and clinical psychologists start on the same road before branching into their respective specialties.

General psychologists usually require:

• A master’s or doctoral degree (state and field-dependent)
• Coursework and practicum consistent with the chosen specialization (e.g., educational psychology, industrial-organizational psychology)
• Supervised professional experience
• Passing scores on licensure exams, such as the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)

Clinical psychologists follow a more narrowly defined and rigorous route. To reflect the clinical nature of their practice, typical requirements include:

• A doctoral degree (a PhD provides broader, research-focused training, whereas a PsyD offers more “practical” applications in a clinical setting)
• Coursework and practicum focused on clinical psychology: assessment, therapy, and evidence-based treatments
• A doctoral-level internship, typically a year or more (California, for example, stipulates 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience)
• Passing scores on licensure exams, including the EPPP

Because specifics vary by state, prospective students should review the licensing board requirements in the state where they intend to practice to determine what qualifications are needed.

Notably, many jurisdictions consider APA-accredited doctoral programs the “gold standard” for both types of psychologists to obtain their licensure.³

The Types of Work They Do

As noted, “psychologist” is an umbrella term that includes multiple specialties, each with its own focus and daily responsibilities. Because of this, the work a psychologist performs can vary significantly depending on their area of practice.

For example:

• Clinical psychologists focus on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. They provide psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy), conduct psychological testing, and develop treatment plans for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
• Research psychologists devote their careers to investigating the deeper workings of memory, emotion, and social behavior. They might work in universities, research institutes, or private industry, with their findings informing evidence-based practices that clinical psychologists later use.
• Educational psychologists specialize in supporting the mental health of students, teachers, and families in schools and other educational settings. Their work might involve conducting assessments for learning differences, supporting youth interventions, and otherwise contributing to programs on behavior, prevention, and mental health.
• Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological principles to the private sector, aiding companies with hiring, training, and leadership. They might play the role of a consultant, helping businesses, nonprofits, and similar organizations improve their culture and employee engagement.

These specialized roles illustrate the value of pursuing a focused area within the field of psychology.

Clinical psychologists, for example, receive rigorous doctoral training that prepares them to provide far more than general talk therapy. Their expertise spans a wide range of practical, evidence-based techniques, such as:⁴

• Cognitive therapy: Helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, build healthier thinking patterns, and reduce stress linked to distorted beliefs.
• Behavior therapy: Leverages practical strategies like positive reinforcement, skill-building, and habit reversal to replace problematic behaviors with healthy ones.
• Cognitive-Behavioral approach: Integrates both of the above methods to tackle more deeply seated conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.
• Humanistic-Existential approach: A large-scale support approach to help clients explore their identity, navigate life transitions, or challenge existential concerns through personal growth and authenticity.

Despite the range of possible options, it is critical to note that only psychologists with clinical training and licensure can provide psychotherapy and diagnostic evaluations.

In contrast, general psychologists—such as those who pursue PhD programs in research-oriented fields—often spend more time in academic or scientific settings than in direct clinical work. Their contributions may include:

• Developing new psychological theories
• Conducting studies and gathering data to inform clinical practice
• Teaching at the university level, with little or no therapeutic involvement

For students drawn to hands-on work with individuals and communities, clinical psychology offers the most structured and direct route to therapeutic practice.

Choosing the Clinical Path

Despite what the term “clinical” might suggest, the reality is that clinical psychology extends far beyond hospital corridors and traditional therapy offices.

In fact, the clinical path remains one of the most diverse and human-centered specialties in the field, offering practitioners the chance to work with individuals and communities across countless settings.

A clinical psychologist may, for example:

• Partner with social service agencies to work with underserved and high-need populations. This might include treating chronic mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, or addiction.
• Provide licensed psychotherapy for individuals, couples, or families. Such practitioners help clients navigate relational conflict, persistent trauma, life transitions, and other long-term challenges to mental and emotional health.
• Work in schools and educational systems to assess learning differences, design behavioral and academic interventions, and collaborate with educators to support student well-being.
• Serve in medical or integrated-care settings, supporting patients at the intersection of physical and mental health. Such work could include helping clients cope with the psychological impacts of illness, chronic pain, or rehabilitation.
• Contribute to community mental health programs, such as crisis response teams or nonprofit organizations dedicated to prevention, outreach, and accessible care. These settings allow a clinical psychologist to tackle larger systemic issues such as domestic violence, post-tragedy community trauma, and barriers to accessing mental health support.

These are just a few of the possibilities open to a licensed clinical psychologist.

If you are drawn to helping people directly, to being in the room rather than behind a lab bench or in a corporate office, then the clinical pathway may be your ideal fit.

The Clinical Psychology graduate programs at Alliant are designed with this calling in mind. These programs provide the academic and practical experience needed to help students best prepare for licensure as a clinical psychologist.

Explore our program pages for details, such as curriculum, typical training, and admission requirements, to see how your interests and goals align.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

In short, all clinical psychologists are psychologists, but not all psychologists are clinical psychologists.

Within this greater professional identity, clinical psychologists focus on mental health diagnosis and treatment, backed by extensive doctoral education and hands-on training.

For students seeking a rewarding career working directly with clients to resolve mental health challenges, clinical psychology may be right for you.

The Clinical Psychology programs offered by Alliant are built to support that journey. With full APA-accreditation at a doctoral level, these programs deliver the academic depth and structured clinical training needed to help prepare you for licensure and thrive in the day-to-day realities that follow.

If you are ready to take the next step toward a meaningful career in clinical psychology, explore the programs at Alliant and begin your journey today.

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Sources:

1. “Frequently asked questions about graduate school.” American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/education-career/grad/faqs. Accessed November 30, 2025.
2. “Psychology subfields.” American Psychological Association. June 2025. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields. Accessed November 30, 2025.
3. “About APA Accreditation.” American Psychological Association. https://accreditation.apa.org/about. Accessed November 30, 2025.
4. Isbell Oliva-Garcia. “Exploring Different Approaches in Clinical Psychology.” Grow Therapy. September 30, 2025. https://growtherapy.com/blog/clinical-psychology-everything-you-need-to…. Accessed November 30, 2025.