Psychologist

Training

To practice in a clinic, psychologists generally need a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and additional training and supervised experience leading to licensure. This process typically takes 8–13 years of education and training.

• Undergraduate Degree: A bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field is the first step.
• Doctorate: A doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counseling psychology is required.
• Internship: A one-year full-time supervised internship is usually required as part of the doctoral program.
• Post-Doctoral Training: Many states require an additional year of supervised practice after graduation before licensure.

License/Certification

• License: Psychologists must pass a national exam (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, EPPP) and state-specific exams.
• Continuing Education: Licensed psychologists must continue their professional development through courses, conferences, and other activities.

General Description

A psychologist is a broad term for anyone with a doctoral degree in psychology, encompassing various specialties. Clinical psychologists are a subset of psychologists who specialize in diagnosing, assessing, and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral health disorders, as well as supporting the enhancement of both psychological and physical wellbeing. They can specialize in various areas, such as research, industrial/organizational psychology, neuropsychology, or counseling. Clinical psychologists may work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, or other settings where they provide direct services to clients.

Rheumatology Skill Set

A psychologist's role in rheumatology involves assessing and supporting patients' psychosocial well-being and ability to manage chronic, often unpredictable rheumatic diseases. They help individuals cope with the physical and emotional challenges of these conditions, including adjustment to disability, adherence to treatment, improvements in lifestyle behaviors (e.g., exercise, diet, sleep, substances like alcohol), and managing anxiety, depression and pain. Studies suggest that incorporating psychology into rheumatology care can improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on rheumatologists.

How/When to Refer

When a provider or other medical staff identifies barriers to care or need for mental health support, a psychologist should be contacted for assistance.

Case Study

Rose, a 50-year-old single female, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis one month ago. She just started methotrexate and prednisone to control inflammation. She reports a one-year history of general pain and swelling in her hands and feet, morning stiffness lasting 2 hours, extreme fatigue and malaise, and often drops things held in her hands, particularly if they are heavy. She is having difficulty getting through her morning routine and getting to work. She does office work, and finds it difficult to type, walk or stand for long periods, due to pain and fatigue. She has two children in their middle teens.

What Can This Professional Do for Rose?

The psychologist can provide education about living with a chronic illness and the importance of adhering to treatment. They evaluate and prioritize the areas in which behavioral health strategies could be helpful (e.g., exercise, diet, substance use, symptom management). An assessment of mood, anxiety (worries), stress, sleep, function and coping resources can result in identifying treatment targets and related strategies that can be suggested to help Rose function better and live a life that is rewarding despite having a chronic illness. If Rose has chronic pain, there are many pain self-management strategies that she could find particularly helpful. If Rose has a history of trauma or is in a high-risk social situation currently, psychologists can help address these needs. Lastly, psychologists can provide broader support such as processing issues related to raising two children in their teens.

Updated July 2026