Clinical psychology internship vs psychotherapist

The differences between clinical psychology interns and psychotherapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a psychotherapist has an average salary of $69,921, which is higher than the $38,471 average annual salary of a clinical psychology internship.

The top three skills for a clinical psychology internship include individual therapy, patients and group therapy sessions. The most important skills for a psychotherapist are social work, patients, and individual therapy.

Clinical psychology internship vs psychotherapist overview

	Clinical Psychology Internship	Psychotherapist
Yearly salary	$38,471	$69,921
Hourly rate	$18.50	$33.62
Growth rate	14%	6%
Number of jobs	107,002	20,520
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	47
Years of experience	2	-

What does a clinical psychology internship do?

Clinical psychology interns are responsible for assisting the clinical psychology staff by utilizing their academic knowledge to practical applications. A clinical psychology intern observes the daily operations in a health care facility, shadows medical staff, and prepares reports for clinical psychology processes or psychological research. The interns perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, including responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, joining psychology professionals on conducting counseling and therapies, and interpreting patients' behaviors and practices.

What does a psychotherapist do?

A Psychotherapist's responsibility is to help clients who suffer from symptoms like depression, anxiety, and other behavioral problems. They work with individuals, couples, and families.

Clinical psychology internship vs psychotherapist salary

Clinical psychology interns and psychotherapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Psychology Internship	Psychotherapist
Average salary	$38,471	$69,921
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $55,000	Between $43,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City	Union City, CA	Worcester, MA
Highest paying state	California	Delaware
Best paying company	UC Health	Sutter Health
Best paying industry	Education	Professional

Differences between clinical psychology internship and psychotherapist education

There are a few differences between a clinical psychology internship and a psychotherapist in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Psychology Internship	Psychotherapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Master's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Clinical psychology internship vs psychotherapist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical psychology interns' and psychotherapists' demographics:

	Clinical Psychology Internship	Psychotherapist
Average age	43	47
Gender ratio	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%	Male, 27.4% Female, 72.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 3.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 4.2% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	12%	20%

Differences between clinical psychology internship and psychotherapist duties and responsibilities

Clinical psychology internship example responsibilities.

Implement multiple curricula including mathematics, social studies, and literacy
Supervise cognitive behavioral therapy research bringing trend methods in the treatment of patients suffering a variety of anxiety disorders.
Provide individual prolong exposure therapy, as well as individual and group cognitive processing therapy to veterans with combat-relate PTSD.
Provide evaluation and treatment for hospitalize and medically ill patients who have developed psychological, psychiatry, or behavioral problems.
Preform intelligence testing, personality testing, and screenings for depression, autism, anxiety, ADHD, and other disorders.
Attend weekly seminars addressing issues relate to PTSD, traumatic stress, substance use disorders and other anxiety and mood disorders.

Psychotherapist example responsibilities.

Provide individual, group therapy and rehabilitation services for clients with co-occurring disorders, trauma, addiction, grief, etc.
Perform case management services and prepare rehabilitation plans.
Administer cognitive and personality assessments, provide written summary of results to therapists, and provide verbal feedback to patients.
Cultivate and nurture positive, productive relationships with patients, families, and community providers to promote effective coordination of resources.
Experience in evaluations of adults, adolescents and children, including personality, clinical symptoms, developmental disabilities and cognitive status.
Conduct MST assessment including review of referral information, maintain the confidentiality of all consumer care information including protect health information.

Clinical psychology internship vs psychotherapist skills

Common clinical psychology internship skills

Individual Therapy, 25%
Patients, 11%
Group Therapy Sessions, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Mental Health, 5%
Behavioral Interventions, 5%

Common psychotherapist skills

Social Work, 19%
Patients, 15%
Individual Therapy, 13%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Mental Health, 4%
Diagnostic Assessments, 2%

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Clinical Psychology Internship
Clinical Psychology Internship vs Psychotherapist

Updated January 8, 2025

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