Counseling Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2023
What's in this guide?
What is a Counseling Psychologist?
Counseling Psychologists specialize in facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning in patients of all ages. A specialty of professional psychology, Counseling Psychology addresses emotional, vocational, social, educational, health, and developmental issues.
Counseling Psychologists provide a wide range of services to different client populations. They counsel patients in therapeutic settings, to improve their overall mental health and well-being. They assist patients by talking through their challenges and providing them with tools and skills to improve their quality of life.
What is a Counseling Psychologist Responsible For?
Counseling psychologists are trained to help individuals with a range of personal, social, and emotional issues. Here are some specific responsibilities you will have:
- Providing therapy: provide one-on-one therapy sessions to individuals dealing with a range of personal and emotional issues, such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, and trauma.
- Conducting assessments: conduct assessments to diagnose mental health disorders, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop treatment plans.
- Creating treatment plans: These plans may involve therapy sessions, group therapy, or other interventions designed to improve their clients’ mental health and wellbeing.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals: work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and primary care physicians, to coordinate care for their clients.
“As a counseling psychologist, my day-to-day work typically involves providing individual counseling to clients, conducting psychological assessments, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to coordinate care for my clients. I also spend time preparing for therapy sessions, documenting client progress, and engaging in ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field.”
See also; what is the difference between a counseling psychologist and a clinical psychologist?
Where Does a Counseling Psychologist Work?
Counseling Psychologists work just about anywhere there are people in need. Frequently, they are found working in either private or group practices, however there are a variety of settings which employ counseling psychologists:
- Private practice: Many counseling psychologists work in private practice, either as sole practitioners or as part of a group practice.
- Mental health clinics: providing a range of services to individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. In these settings, they may work as part of a team that includes psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health professionals.
- Hospitals: Some counseling psychologists work in hospitals, where they may provide therapy to patients who are dealing with acute or chronic medical conditions.
- Schools and universities: providing individual or group counseling to students, as well as consultation services to teachers and other school personnel.
- Government agencies e.g. Veterans Administration, Department of Defense or the Department of Health and Human Services: counsel active military or veterans, often assisting them with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dealing with loss, transitioning to civilian life, or depression.
A day in the life of a counseling psychologist
Here is a possible example of a typical day for a counseling psychologist working in a mental health clinic:
8:00 AM – Arrive at the clinic and check email for any urgent messages or updates from colleagues.
8:30 AM – Begin seeing clients. Depending on the clinic’s policies and scheduling practices, the psychologist may see clients for 50-minute sessions with a 10-minute break in between each session, or they may see clients for longer sessions with longer breaks in between.
12:00 PM – Take a lunch break.
1:00 PM – Resume seeing clients. During this time, the psychologist may conduct intake assessments with new clients, provide ongoing therapy to existing clients, or work with clients who are in crisis or need immediate support.
4:00 PM – Finish seeing clients for the day. Spend some time documenting progress notes, updating treatment plans, and responding to any urgent messages or requests from colleagues or clients.
5:00 PM – Wrap up for the day, making sure to organize any materials needed for the following day.
How do become a Counseling Psychologist
It takes 7-10 years to become a counseling psychologist, below we will walk you through the process from obtaining your degrees to obtaining your license.
Bachelor’s Degree
The first step is to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Students in a Bachelor’s degree program in psychology will likely cover topics such as counseling theories and techniques, human development, abnormal psychology, and group therapy.
It will provide a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that you will build upon with a Master’s and Doctorate.
Master’s Degree
A Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology is a graduate-level program that typically takes 2-3 years to complete. The program covers topics such as counseling theories and techniques, human development, abnormal psychology, group counseling, assessment and diagnosis, and professional ethics and standards. Students typically gain hands-on experience through a supervised internship or practicum component. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue further education at the doctoral level.
The program should be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Learn more in our guide to a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology.
Supervised Internship
After earning a Master’s degree, aspiring counseling psychologists must complete a supervised internship of at least 2,000 hours. The internship should be completed at a site that is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) .
Doctorate Degree
A PhD in Counseling Psychology is a doctoral-level program that typically takes 5-7 years to complete, depending on the specific program and the student’s course load. The program builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills learned in a Master’s degree program and provides students with advanced training in areas such as research methods, advanced counseling techniques, and specialized areas of counseling psychology. The program typically includes coursework, a comprehensive exam, a supervised practicum, and a dissertation. Graduates of a PhD in Counseling Psychology program are prepared to work as licensed counseling psychologists, conduct research in the field, or pursue academic careers in teaching and research.
Learn more in our guide to a PhD in Counseling Psychology.
Postdoctoral Internship
After earning a Doctoral degree, counseling psychologists must complete a postdoctoral internship of at least 1,500 hours. The internship should be completed at a site that is approved by the APA or the APPIC.
Licensure
Licensing requirements vary by state – consult our guide for more detail.
The licensing exam for counseling psychologists is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
Continuing Education
Counseling psychologists, as is the case for all licensed psychologists, are required to engage in ongoing continuing education to maintain their licensure and stay up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field.
Learn more about continuing education requirements by state.
How Much Does a Counseling Psychologist Earn?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average salary is $81,000 in traditional settings. Many practitioners work in private practice where there are opportunities to earn more.
Geographic location and level of degree factor prominently in income potential with urban counseling and doctorate degrees in higher demand. Experience is a significant element in determining compensation.
Latest Counseling Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2023 Listings
| Position | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Health Emergency Services Clinician | Arlington County Government | Arlington, Virginia | 09/19/2023 |
| Position Information *This position includes a $1500.00 gross signing bonus at hire and $1500.00 gross bonus at the completion of the probationary period. Arlington County'sDepartment of Human Services (DHS)is hiring experienced Mental Health Clinicians to serve as Emergency Services Clinicians in the Client Services Entry (CSE) Bureau of the Behavioral ... More | |||
| Psychology Assistant Professor | California State University, San Bernardino | San Bernardino, California | 09/19/2023 |
| California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is located in San Bernardino in the Inland Empire, 60 miles east of Los Angeles and operates a satellite campus in Palm Desert located in Coachella Valley. CSUSB serves approximately 20,000 students, of which 81% are first-generation college students and graduates about ... More | |||
| Youth Transitional Housing Supervisor | Housing Up | Dist. Columbia | 09/19/2023 |
| Housing Up is one of the leading non-profit organizations in Washington DC providing the full spectrum of housing and supportive services to more than 700 homeless and at-risk households, so that they can transform their own lives. Housing programs include permanent supportive, rapid rehousing, transitional, and affordable rental housing. Supportive services include case management, employment services, clinical services, housing counseling, resident services, ... More | |||
| Mental Health Clinician | Central City Concern | Portland, Oregon | 09/19/2023 |
| Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty, and addictions. We hire people who are skilled and passionate to meet our mission through innovative outcome-based strategies that support personal and community transformation. Central City Concern is looking to hire a Mental Health Counselor, QMHP, for their Culturally Specific program! The Mental ... More | |||
| Medical Consultation-Liaison Psychologist | Tampa General Hospital | Tampa, Florida | 09/19/2023 |
| Medical Consultation-Liaison Psychologist-(220003HE) Department Profile The TGH Psychology & Neuropsychology team provides assessment, consultation, and treatment for both adult and pediatric populations throughout the continuum of care. Psychology & Neuropsychology staff represent a high degree of specialization in treating individuals with medical, rehabilitation, and neuropsychological ... More | |||
| Sleep Psychologist | Tampa General Hospital | Tampa, Florida | 09/19/2023 |
| Sleep Psychologist-(2300023E) Department ProfileTGH Psychology & Neuropsychology is a collegial team of twelve Health Psychologists, Rehabilitation Psychologists and Neuropsychologists, providing assessment, consultation, and treatment for both adult and pediatric populations throughout the continuum of care. In addition to rehabilitation and trauma populations, psychological ... More | |||
| Health Psychologist - Psycho-oncology | Tampa General Hospital | Tampa, Florida | 09/19/2023 |
| Health Psychologist - Psycho-oncology-(2300038A) Department Profile The TGH Psychology & Neuropsychology team provides assessment, consultation, and treatment for both adult and pediatric populations ... More | |||
| Assistant Professor - Physical Activity and Mental Health | Utah State University | Logan, Utah | 09/19/2023 |
| Overview The Department of Kinesiology and Health Science at Utah State University (USU) seeks an Assistant Professor to serve as an Extension Specialist. The position will be housed on the USU Logan Campus and includes statewide responsibilities. This 12-month, tenure-track, full-time benefited position begins July 1, 2024.We seek applicants with research and teaching expertise in physical activity and mental health.Scientists ... More | |||
