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Clinical Psychologist

A psychologist studies how we think, feel and behave from a scientific viewpoint, using this knowledge to help people understand, explain and change their behaviour. Clinical psychologists are psychology specialists who provide a full range of mental and behavioral health care, including assessment and treatment, for individuals, families, groups and/or organizations.

Where do Clinical Psychologists Work?

Some clinical psychologists work primarily as practitioners in hospitals, schools, clinics, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs or private offices.  Others work primarily as researchers and faculty at universities and at governmental and non-governmental organizations. Many psychologists are active in both clinical practice and research.

What do Clinical Psychologists Do?

Clinical Psychologists diagnose and treat many mental health and behavioral health concerns, as well as engaging in research and teaching across a wide range of areas having to do with how people think, feel and behave. Clinical psychologists work with approaches that can improve psychological health, and they help individuals, families or groups to understand their problems so they can build resilience and decrease stress.  Some psychologists focus their research on animals rather than people to better understand behavior.  These are some areas where clinical psychologists may provide patient care, or focus their research:

  • mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias, trauma, eating disorders;
  • neurological, genetic, psychological and social determinants of behaviour;
  • brain injury, degenerative brain diseases;
  • the perception and management of pain;
  • psychological factors and problems associated with physical conditions and disease (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, stroke);
  • psychological factors and management of terminal illnesses;
  • cognitive functions such as learning, memory, problem solving, intellectual ability and performance;
  • developmental and behavioural abilities and problems across the lifespan;
  • criminal behaviour, crime prevention, services for victims and perpetrators of criminal activity;
  • addictions and substance use and abuse (e.g. smoking, alcohol);
  • stress, anger and other aspects of lifestyle management;
  • court consultations addressing the impact and role of psychological and cognitive factors in accidents and injury, parental capacity, and competence to manage one’s personal affairs;
  • the application of psychological factors and issues to work such as motivation, leadership, productivity, marketing, healthy workplaces, ergonomics;
  • marital and family relationships and problems;
  • psychological factors necessary to maintain wellness and preventing disease;
  • social and cultural behaviour and attitudes, the relationship between the individual and the many groups of which he or she is part (e.g. work, family, society); and
  • the role and impact of psychological factors on performance at work, recreation and sport.

Training & Education Routes

  • Brandon University
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of Winnipeg

Links to Sites

University Of Manitoba

Undergraduate Programs In Psychology

After completing University 1, students who register in the Faculty of Arts can pursue the study of psychology in programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree: whereas, students who register in the Faculty of Science can study psychology in programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) degree.

  • The Three Year Major (B.A.) degree program develops critical thinking skills within the context of a general education.
  • The Four Year Advanced Major (B.A.) degree program is intended for students who desire a general education along with a reasonable degree of specialization in psychology.
  • The Four Year Major (B. Sc.) degree program provides in-depth study of psychological science.
  • The Four Year Honors (B/A. and B. Sc.) degree programs involve a high degree of specialization in psychology. They are the usual prerequisite for further study at the graduate level. Honors students complete a research project and write a thesis under the supervision of a faculty member during their fourth year.

Undergraduate Course Content Areas:

Abnormal- mental illness, treatments and prevention, Behavioural-modifications, learning processes and animal models, Cognitive, Contemporary Issues, Developmental, Humanistic, Personality, Physiological, Research Methods, Social.

Graduate Study In Psychology At The University Of Manitoba:

Students holding a B.A (Honors) or B. Sc. (Honors) from the University of Manitoba or a four-year honours B.A. or honours B. Sc. From another Canadian university are normally eligible to be accepted into the M.A. program. Students holding a general or advanced B.A. or B.Sc. degree may be required to take a Pre-M.A year before proceeding to the M.A. course work.

All students entering the Pre-M.A. program should have taken the following courses: Eight half (3-credit hour) courses in psychology which include introductory psychology and research methods, and a second course in research methods or a course in statistics or computer science. Applicants for the Ph D program should hold an M.A. degree in psychology from the University of Manitoba or its equivalent from another university.

Applicants a all levels must have at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.5 grade point system) in their last 60 credit hours at a minimum, including hours in excess of the minimum taken during the same semester.

For more information and detail go to the University of Manitoba – Department of Psychology website.

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