Counseling Psychology Careers and Training

There are several different branches of psychology. One of the branches that may appeal to individuals interested in a career in this field is counseling psychology. Counseling psychologists help people of all ages deal with emotional, social, developmental, and other life concerns.

Here we do a deeper dive into what counseling psychology is, including general job duties and where they work. We also discuss what type of education or training may be required for a counseling psychology role, as well as highlighting how this branch is similar to but also different from clinical psychology.

What Is Counseling Psychology?

The American Psychological Association (APA) explains that counseling psychology uses certain practices to "help people improve their well-being, prevent and alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives."

This branch focuses both on individuals and the cultures or systems within which they function. Counseling psychology addresses issues related to mental health, developmental challenges, and systemic issues such as prejudice and discrimination. It is one of the largest specialty areas within psychology.

Counseling Psychology Duties and Job Functions

In counseling psychology, professionals use a variety of strategies to help people manage behavioral issues, cope with stress, alleviate anxiety and distress, and deal with psychological disorders. Many counseling psychologists provide psychotherapy services, but other career paths are also available.

Research, teaching, and vocational counseling are just a few of the possible alternatives to working as a therapist. Some in counseling psychology also use their training and experience to educate the public, work as a consultant, or evaluate programs and/or treatment outcomes.

Where Counseling Psychologists Work

Counseling therapists may work for private businesses, the military, government agencies, consulting practices, themselves, and more. Some of the settings where counseling psychology professionals can be found include:

• Academic settings, where they may hold roles as professors, psychotherapy providers, or researchers.
• Hospitals and mental health clinics, where they often work alongside physicians and other mental health professionals such as clinical psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses.
• Independent practice, where they are self-employed and offer psychotherapy services to individuals, families, and/or groups.

Whether working with clients in a hospital setting or counseling students in an academic environment, counseling psychologists rely on a broad range of psychological theories and therapeutic approaches to help people overcome their challenges and realize their full potential.

Clinical Psychology Education and Training

A doctoral degree is generally required to work as a counseling psychologist. Some start by earning a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as psychology or social work, then pursue a master’s degree in counseling or psychology before entering a doctorate program. Others bypass the master’s and go straight from an undergraduate degree into a five- or six-year doctoral degree program.

A Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is typically offered through a university's psychology department, while a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in counseling psychology can be found at a school's college of education. Most of these programs receive accreditation through the APA.

Counseling Psychology vs. Clinical Psychology

Of all the graduate psychology degrees awarded each year, 56% are in the counseling, clinical, and school psychology subfields. Counseling psychology shares many commonalities with clinical psychology, but it is also different in several ways.

Some of the similarities between counseling and clinical psychology include:

• Both receive a lot of training in evidence-based psychology research.
• Both can provide psychotherapy.
• Both work in hospitals, mental health clinics, academic settings, and independent practice.
• Both can be licensed psychologists.

Some of the key differences between the two professions include:

• Whereas clinical psychologists tend to treat people with severe mental illness, counseling psychologists work with people with even minor well-being concerns throughout their lifespan.
• Counseling psychology has a strong cultural focus, while counseling psychology is focused primarily on the individual.
• Counseling psychologists often work in community or school-based mental health facilities or career centers, and clinical psychologists often spend their days in psychiatric hospitals or other inpatient mental health settings.
• Clinicians often approach mental illness from a medical perspective, while counseling psychologists often take a more general approach that encompasses a range of psychotherapeutic techniques.

Keep in mind that these are only generalities. The individual approach a therapist takes depends on a variety of factors, including their educational background, training, and theoretical perspective.