How to Become A Clinical Psychologist South Africa

A clinical psychologist is a psychologist who is an expert in mental health. They have undertaken highly specialized APAC-accredited training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and psychological treatment of mental health, behavioral, and emotional disorders across the lifespan.

What is the role of a clinical psychologist?

Clinical psychologists use psychological therapies and procedures to help clients overcome a range of problems including depression, addiction, anxiety, challenging behavior, neurological disorders, mental ill health and learning disabilities.

When should I see a clinical psychologist?

Stress and anxiety, if left to fester, can lead to social isolation, depression, and a slew of other problems. A psychologist can help you manage stress and anxiety by finding the source or cause of your problems, as well as appropriate ways to overcome them.

Why have I been referred to a clinical psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is well-placed to help a patient understand all the key factors (thoughts, actions, environment, stressors, biology, life-style) that empowers a patient to become active in managing their own health.

Below are steps to to Become A Clinical Psychologist South Africa

Step 1: Earn your Bachelor’s degree

Before you begin your Bachelor’s degree program, you should check the admission requirements for your graduate program. This will ensure that your four-year degree includes the prerequisites for entry into a doctoral program in psychology.

It’s also vital you maintain your grade point average (GPA) throughout your undergrad program, as many schools have a minimum GPA for admittance.

Step 2: Earn your Master’s degree

Your master’s program will allow you to zero in on the area you plan to specialize in as a clinical psychologist. You’ll take extensive courses in that practice, such as rehabilitation, psychoanalysis, or clinical health.

You may also gain valuable experience in the field or in research as you complete your master’s program. Depending on your state’s requirements you may be able to practice psychology once you earn your Master’s degree.

Step 3: Complete your Doctorate degree

There are two doctoral degrees accepted for clinical psychologist licensing: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD in Psychology). Basically, the difference is a PsyD is concerned primarily in the straightforward practice of psychology while the PhD in Psychology is for students interested in academia and research as well as clinical practice.

Both are intense programs, but the PhD in Psychology has a higher standard of acceptance as well as a more difficult curriculum. During your doctoral program you will most likely focus on one or more areas of specialization as set forth by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Step 4: Finish your required field experience

Depending on your degree choice and the state regulations, you will be required to complete one to three years of internship or residency.

Many schools offer this as part of their degree program and via a post-doctoral supervised work program, so you should understand the requirements in your state and what experience your graduate school offers as part of the program.

Step 5: Become licensed and certified

Along with supervised experience, most states require you sit for and pass an exam before granting licensure, which is why it’s so important to be aware of your state requirements while planning your education.

It’s also an excellent plan to earn certification in one or more of the 13 specialty areas through the American Board of Professional Psychology to showcase your proficiency in the area you plan to practice.

Step 6: Maintain your continuing education requirements

Most states require licensed psychologists to complete specific continuing education requirements each year in order to be eligible for license renewal.

Depending on your state, these may be completed by attending classes, conferences, and seminars or online courses, webinars, and similar educational studies. You can also utilize these requirements to obtain certification in one or more specialty areas as you progress through your career.

Clinical Psychologist Skills to Acquire


Although it may seem all a clinical psychologist needs to do is listen well there is a wide range of skills required of a successful psychologist. Here’s a look at the most important:

Interpersonal Skills
Psychologists must be able to work with all types of people with a wide range of personality types and personal issues, as well as a diverse range of ethnic groups and religions.

Keen Observation
Along with listening to the stories their clients tell, a psychologist must be well versed in nonverbal language such as facial expressions, body positions, and the way a client interacts with others.

Communicating Effectively
A clinical psychologist must be able to speak clearly and convey their thoughts and decisions in a manner that can be easily understood by each client. In addition, they must be prepared to present research findings to their peers and supervisors.

Analytical Skills
A psychologist must be able to use their knowledge base and research abilities to define each client’s needs and problems in order to match the treatment plan with the issues faced.

How many years does it take to become a clinical psychologist in South Africa?

You will be looking at a minimum of five years’ full-time formal education in psychology. Before you can enter a directed Master’s degree programme, you will need a three-year Bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology (or the equivalent thereof), as well as an Honours degree in psychology.

How do I become a clinical psychologist in South Africa?

The student should have completed a master’s degree in any one of the directed programmes in Clinical, Counselling or Research Psychology.

The student will have to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), write the HPCSA board exam, complete an internship and write a mini-dissertation.

Is Clinical Psychology in demand in South Africa?

In a violent country like South Africa, the dire shortage of psychologists in the public sector is a cause for major concern. Indeed, according to Health Systems Trust, the number of clinical psychologists in the South African public sector is just 2.75 per 100,000 people.

What qualifications do you need to be a clinical psychologist?

You will need a 3-year Taught Doctorate in Clinical Psychology to gain eligibility to be registered by the HPC (Health Professions Council) enabling you to become (and use the protected title) Clinical Psychologist, and to be eligible to be registered as a Chartered Psychologist (C Psychol) with the BPS.

How many years does it take to become a clinical psychologist in South Africa ?

To become a clinical psychologist, you will need an undergraduate degree (four to five years of college) plus a doctorate degree (four to seven years of graduate school).

For this specialty area, most people will spend between eight to 12 years in higher education.

How hard is it to get into clinical psychology?

Admission to PhD programs in clinical psychology is very competitive. Regarding less standardized criteria, most graduate programs in clinical psychology will prefer that you have taken a course in psychopathology, e.g., our Psych 303.