What does a Psychological Assistant do?
A psychological assistant primarily performs support tasks to assist a psychologist in treating patients at a medical facility. Their duties focus on helping patients by answering inquiries, giving instructions, explaining procedures, gathering requirements, and conducting initial assessments. They can participate in serving the patients under the supervision and directives of a licensed psychologist. Additionally, a psychological assistant may also participate in conducting research, preparing and processing necessary paperwork, handling calls and other forms of correspondence, and attending meetings and seminars.
Psychological assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real psychological assistant resumes:
- Lead dialectical-behavioral therapy groups (DBT) for individuals with borderline personality disorder diagnosis.
- Work with adults with anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD and adjustment disorders.
- Conduct psychological assessment, including learning disability, ADHD, substance use disorders, personality, etc.
- Administer cognitive assessments to patients presenting with workers compensation and personal injury claims
- Conduct psychological and psychoeducational testing evaluations for disability and vocational rehabilitation.
- Conduct psychological and psychoeducational testing evaluations for disability and vocational rehabilitation.
Psychological assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Psychological Assistants are proficient in Patients, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Illness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Time-management skills, Compassion, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Psychological Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 21%
Provided psychotherapy to Medicare and Insurance patients who had pain disorders associated with medical conditions and other myriad of psychiatric/mental disorders.
- Crisis Intervention, 15%
Provide direct care services as determined by client needs including individual/family/group therapy, diagnostic assessment, and crisis intervention.
- Mental Illness, 13%
Provided psychological services for 90-100 men and women with chronic mental illness who resided in the adult chronic units.
- Clinical Supervision, 12%
Participate in individual and group clinical supervision.
- PsyD, 5%
Interned with Dr. Ann-Marie Tripp-Pendelton, PsyD, in a therapeutic capacity.
- Psychological Assessments, 5%
Conducted psychological assessments and testing, interpreted results for court ordered evaluations for clients, to include testimony.
Common skills that a psychological assistant uses to do their job include "patients," "crisis intervention," and "mental illness." You can find details on the most important psychological assistant responsibilities below.
Time-management skills. One of the key soft skills for a psychological assistant to have is time-management skills. You can see how this relates to what psychological assistants do because "social and human service assistants often work with many clients." Additionally, a psychological assistant resume shows how psychological assistants use time-management skills: "maintained a caseload of 12-20 patients, working under strict deadlines and supervision behind a one way mirror. "
Compassion. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling psychological assistant duties is compassion. The role rewards competence in this skill because "social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations." According to a psychological assistant resume, here's how psychological assistants can utilize compassion in their job responsibilities: "provided compassionate individual therapy to adults with anxiety and mood disorders. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for psychological assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how psychological assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "social and human service assistants must often complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a psychological assistant: "provided organizational consultation services and developed literature for campus departments. ".
Communication skills. A big part of what psychological assistants do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to psychological assistant responsibilities because "social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical psychological assistant tasks: "co-led anger management group using non-violent communication with males and females with various diagnoses. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a psychological assistant to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what psychological assistants relies on this skill, since "social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems." How this skill relates to psychological assistant duties can be seen in an example from a psychological assistant resume snippet: "provided individual counseling services centered on cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) and solution-oriented therapy techniques for one student displaying anxiety. "
Interpersonal skills. Lastly, "interpersonal skills" is an important element of what a psychological assistant does. Psychological assistant responsibilities require this skill because "social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues." This resume example highlights how psychological assistant duties rely on this skill: "provided individual and family therapy to 4 clients per week using attachment-based, interpersonal, trauma-focused and play therapies. "
The three companies that hire the most psychological assistants are:
- KKaiser Permanente25 psychological assistants jobs
- BBaylor College of Medicine4 psychological assistants jobs
- TTarzana Treatment Centers3 psychological assistants jobs
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Compare different psychological assistants
Psychological assistant vs. Licensed professional counselor
A licensed professional counselor is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing therapy and counseling to patients with emotional and mental health issues. They listen to their patients and utilize various techniques to address concerns and help through the healing procedures. Their duties entail conducting interviews and evaluations, performing research and assessments, studying the patients' medical histories, providing consultations, and developing treatment plans that suit every patients' needs. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor monitors and records their patients' progress, adjusting treatments and medications as necessary.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between psychological assistants and licensed professional counselor. For instance, psychological assistant responsibilities require skills such as "psyd," "psychological evaluations," "developmental disabilities," and "autism." Whereas a licensed professional counselor is skilled in "lpc," "real estate," "community resources," and "rehabilitation." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Licensed professional counselors really shine in the real estate industry with an average salary of $99,425. Comparatively, psychological assistants tend to make the most money in the non profits industry with an average salary of $65,499.On average, licensed professional counselors reach higher levels of education than psychological assistants. Licensed professional counselors are 19.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 9.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Psychological assistant vs. Marriage and family therapist
Marriage and family therapists are health professionals who are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders of married couples and families. These therapists are required to treat patients with issues such as child and adolescent behavioral problems, depression and anxiety, and marital conflicts. They must observe the interaction of people within units while evaluating and resolving their issues with relationships. Marriage and family therapists must also guide their clients to go through transitional crises such as divorce or death.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real psychological assistant resumes. While psychological assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "psyd," "psychological assessments," "psychological evaluations," and "developmental disabilities," marriage and family therapists use skills like "mft," "child abuse," "therapeutic services," and "community resources."
On average, marriage and family therapists earn a lower salary than psychological assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, marriage and family therapists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $60,978. Whereas psychological assistants have higher pay in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $65,499.In general, marriage and family therapists achieve higher levels of education than psychological assistants. They're 8.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 9.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Psychological Assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Jim Sliwinski Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Defiance College
Psychological assistant vs. Volunteer
Volunteers are usually unpaid individuals who render their service to a company or organization. Most of the time, volunteers are skilled in specific areas needed by the organization but prefer to provide free service. They may be employed in another organization, but they lend their time and talent to another organization or company to give back to the community. They raise funds, create awareness, and work on the ground. Volunteers usually choose a cause or advocacy close to their heart, such as teaching children, taking care of the elderly, coaching sports teams, cleaning up communities, and caring for animals.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from psychological assistant resumes include skills like "patients," "crisis intervention," "mental illness," and "clinical supervision," whereas a volunteer is more likely to list skills in "child care," "patient charts," "patient care," and "front desk. "
Volunteers typically earn lower educational levels compared to psychological assistants. Specifically, they're 20.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 11.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Psychological assistant vs. Coordinator
Coordinators are responsible for liaising between the department they are assigned to and any other external party. They oversee projects or agreements. They are in charge of following through negotiations between the two parties regarding work. They see through the conduct of such contracts by ensuring that all terms are amenable to both parties. They maintain records and other necessary data and paperwork. They also ensure that office policy and guidelines are being followed. Coordinators also ensure that all projects are completed efficiently and effectively.
Types of psychological assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
