Counselor vs. Therapist vs. Psychologist - Human Services Edu

Therapists, counselors and psychologists all deal with issues of mental health and often use similar methods but specialize in treating issues with different ... FINDSCHOOLS1DegreeCompletedHighSchoolDiploma/GEDSomeCollegeAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorateDegree2DesiredDegreeDiploma/CertificateAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorate3ProgramofInterestAllPsychology&CounselingProgramsAppliedBehaviorAnalysisChild/AdolescentPsychologyClinicalPsychologyCounselingPsychologyDevelopmentalPsychologyForensic/CriminalPsychologyHumanServicesIndustrial/OrganizationalPsychologyMarriageandFamilyTherapyMentalHealthCounselingOccupationalTherapySchoolCounselingSocialWorkSpeechPathologySubstanceAbuse/AddictionCounseling4GO!SponsoredContentCounselorvs.Therapistvs.PsychologistMarch3,2021|ByScottWilsonTherapists,counselorsandpsychologistsalldealwithissuesofmentalhealthandoftenusesimilarmethodsbutspecializeintreatingissueswithdifferentlevelsofseverity.Clinicalpsychologistsholddoctorates(PhDorPsyD)andareinapositiontodealwithpsychosesandotherseverementalillnesses,thatintheworstcasesrequirehospitalization.Counselorsandtherapiststypicallyholdmaster’sdegreesandarelicensedinvariousspecialties,workingwithindividualsandgroupsintalk-therapysessionstodealwitheverythingfrommaritalconflicttobehavioraladdictions.FeaturedPrograms:SponsoredSchool(s)OurLadyoftheLakeUniversityFeaturedProgram:MasterofArtsinClinicalMentalHealth,RehabilitationandSchoolCounselingRequestInfoGrandCanyonUniversityFeaturedProgram:DegreesinPsychology&CounselingRequestInfoCapellaUniversityFeaturedProgram:BSPsychology,MSCounseling,MSPsychologyRequestInfoCounselingvs.Therapyvs.Psychology–TheWayMostPeopleUseTheseTermsGenerallyAlignswithCoreDefinitionsWhenitComestotheDifferenceBetweenaCounselor,PsychologistandTherapist,LicensingAuthoritiesHavetheFinalSayWhereTherapy,CounselingandPsychologyOverlapandComplementOneAnotherCoreDifferencesBetweenPsychologists,TherapistsandCounselorsEducationalPathsIntoTheMentalHealthProfessions:PhDandPsyDfor Psychologists;Master’sforBothCounselorsandTherapistsHowLicensingWorksforCounselors,TherapistsandPsychologistsDifferencesandSimilaritiesEmergeinTheDaytoDayLifeofTherapists,CounselorsandPsychologistsSalaryDifferencesBetweenTherapists,CounselorsandPsychologistsYouknowyou’rethekindofpersonwhowantstohelppeoplewiththeirproblems.You’renaturallyempathetic,andyouhavetheabilitytositdownandtalkwithpeopleandquicklyearntheirtrust.Maybeyouhavethecalmcenterednessittakestoofferclearadviceandoptionstosomeonewhoisstrugglingwiththestressesoflife.Ormaybeyouhaveagiftforhelpingfriendsresolveinterpersonaldramas,steppinginwhenthey’reateachother’sthroatstohelpthemunderstandoneanother’sperspective.Youknowthere’saplaceforyouintheworldwhereyoucandedicateyourselftosolvingthosekindsofproblems.You’veseenthoseprofessionalsatwork.Maybeyouhavebeenonthereceivingendofsomehelpyourself.Youknowyou’recutouttobeacounselor,atherapistorapsychologist.Thenextstepistosimplyfigureoutwhichone.Whatdotheydo?Whatisthedifference?Howdotheyfitintothebiggerpictureofthementalhealthandhumanservicesfield?Andhowdoyoufitintothoseroles…whichroleisthebestfitforyouruniqueinterests,talentsandgoals?That’swhatwe’reheretohelpyoufigureout.TheValueofInterdisciplinaryTraininginCounseling,TherapyandPsychologyWhennewprofessionsemergeinthesametreatmentareas,thereisalwayssomefrictionatfirst.Bothcounselingandtherapyassociationshadtopushhardforrecognitionandprofessionalrespectastheyemergedonthescenewithpsychologyalreadydominatingmentalhealthwork.Butjustasinevitably,rolesthathandlesimilarkindsofissuesseemtoalwayscomebacktogetheragain.That’sbeenthecasewiththesethreeprofessionsastheimportanceofmultidisciplinarycareandcross-traininghasshownitsvalueinbothcomplexandroutinecases.Multidisciplinarysupervisionduringinternshipshasbeenthemostrecentdemonstrationofthiskindofcross-training.Goingbackyears, studiespublishedbytheAmericanCounselingAssociationhaverevealedthatcliniciansworkinginmentalhealthandaddictionclinicsdevelopednewclinicalexpertiseandfoundnewopportunitiestoexpandtheirskillswhenlearningfromsupervisorsoutsidetheirownprofession.DifferencesareSubtleandSimilaritiesRunDeepThedefinitionscanseemalittlemuddledsincethetermsgetusedinterchangeablyinalotofcases.Butthefactis,peoplegenerallyaren’tthatfaroff.Someconfusioncomesfromthesimplefactthatthesetermsdescribespecifictechniquesusedindifferentroles.Psychologists,forexample,regularlydeliverpsychotherapyaspartofclinicalpsychservices.You’llalsofindprofessionalsofferingservicesunderprofessionaltitlesthatdon’texactlylineupwithwhat’sprintedontheirlicenses.Therearecognitivebehaviortherapistswhoarelicensedclinicalpsychologists;therearealsocognitivebehaviortherapistswhoareactuallyprofessionalcounselors.It’snowonderthewholethingisconfusing.Butwhatthisultimatelysaysisthatthedifferencesareprettysubtleandthesimilaritiesrunprettydeep.Inthemostbasicsense,psychologycanbethoughtofanoverarchingdomainthatincludestherapistsandcounselors.Infact,psychologyisgenerallythoughtofashavingtwomainbranches–clinicalpsychologyandcounselingpsychology–thoughthereisn’tacleandemarcationbetweenthemeither.Notonlyistherealotofoverlapbetweenclinicalandcounselingpsychologistswhenitcomestowhattheydoinprofessionalpractice,psychologydoctorateprogramswitheitherterminthetitlehavemoreincommonthannot.Still,lookingatclinicalandcounselingpsychologyasseparatebrancheswithinthefieldprovidesasimplifiedunderstandingofhowyoucan lookatpsychologistsasdistinctfromrolesthatinvolvepurelytalktherapyandcounseling:ClinicalPsychologyClinicalpsychologydealswithdiagnosingandtreatingalltypesofmentalillness,includingeverythingfromthecommon depressive,bipolarandpersonalitydisordersthatsomanystrugglewith,allthewayuptoschizophrenia,clinicaldepressionandotherformsofsevereanddebilitatingmentalillness.Althoughin-patientclinicalsettingslikepsychiatrichospitalsaredefinitelywhereyoufindclinicalpsychologistsworkingwithpatientsonthesevereendofthespectrum,itisn’ttheirexclusivedomain.Justasoften,theyworkwithpatientsinprivatepractice,usingclassictalktherapyandotherpsychotherapeutictechniques.Withpsychopharmacologicaltraining,somestatesevenallowpsychologiststoprescribepsychiatricmedicine,thoughprescriptiveauthorityisgenerallyreservedforpsychiatristsandmedicaldoctors.Workingwithpatientsacrossthespectrumofmentalhealthdisorders,theultimategoalofclinicalpsychologyistohelppeoplehealfrommentalandemotionaldistress.CounselingPsychologyCounselingpsychologyistheumbrelladomainthattheworkofcounselorsandtherapistsfallsunder.ThiscanincludethepracticeofprofessionalslikeLicensedMentalHealthCounselors(LMHC)andMarriageandFamilyTherapists(MFT).It’simportanttonote,though,thatonlydoctorate-preparedstatelicensedpsychologistscanactuallyrefertothemselvesaspsychologistsorpsychologicaltherapists.Inthiscase,counselingpsychologyrefersonlytothegeneralbranchofpsychologythatcounselorsandtherapistsdrawfrom,nottheprofessionalsthemselves.It’satrickydistinctiontomake,butanimportantone.Bytrainingandunderlicensingdefinitions,counselorsandtherapistsdonothavethesamelevelofauthoritytodiagnoseandprescribetreatmentplansaspsychologistsdo.Counselingandtherapyareusedtoaddressabroadrangeofemotionalproblems,behavioralissues,addictions,substanceabuseproblems,relationshipchallengesandevensomeformsofmildanxietyanddepression.Thefocusoftheirworkisonfindingactionablesolutionstoveryspecificandrelativelymanageableissues.Althoughcounselingcanbeusedtotreatmentalillnesses,includingthemostpervasiveoneslikemildcasesofanxietyanddepression,licensedcounselorsortherapistswouldn’ttypicallydiagnoseorhandlethemostseverecasesthemselves.Instead,iftheysuspectaclientissufferingfromsomethinglikeclinicaldepression,theywouldreferthepatienttoaclinicalpsychologist.Andlet’sbeclear–we’retalkingaboutpractitionersthatfollowtherulesbyoperatingwithinthestrictdefinitionsofstatelicensinglaws.Therearethousandsofcasesoffraudandmisrepresentationthatlicensingboardsacrossthecountrydealwitheveryyear,droppingsanctionsonpeoplewhocallthemselvescounselorsandtherapistsbutdon’tcarrythequalifications.Theyclaimtopracticeeverykindoftreatmentyoucanimagineunderallkindsofdifferentbanners.Butnomatterwhattheycallit,withouttherighttrainingandlicensure,it’sethicallyout-of-boundsandaviolationofstatelaw.DifferenceBetweenaPsychologist,CounselorandTherapist?StateLicensingWhodecideswhatmakesacounselor,atherapistorapsychologist?Inpracticalterms,itcomesdowntostateboardsoflicensing,whichsetrulesforthescopeofeachlicense,whatkindofworkitqualifiestheholdertodo,aswellaswhogetstocallthemselveswhat.Whilethereareplentyofcommonphilosophical,theoreticalandmethodologicalthreadsthatrunthroughthethreecategories,oneoftheclearestdistinctions,andtheonethat’seasiesttograsp,comesdowntostatelicensing:LicensedCounselors–LicensedMentalHealthCounselors(LMHC),LicensedClinicalSocialWorkers(LCSW),andLicensedProfessionalCounselors(LPC)LicensedTherapists–LicensedMarriageandFamilyTherapists(LMFT)LicensedPsychologists–LicensedClinicalPsychologists,LicensedSchoolPsychologists(Therearealsoprofessionalswhopracticeappliedpsychologyoutsidetheseroles…it’simportantwork,butoutsidethescopeofhumanservices.)Eachoneoftheseprofessionalrolesisclearlydefined.Practitionershavedifferenteducationalrequirements,jobdutiesandlicensingobligationstofollow.Thatmeansthatyou’llbepickingyourpathevenbeforeyoudecidewhatkindofundergraddegreeyou’regoingtoearn.Butit’snotcrazytothinkyou’llcrossover,either,movingfromoneroleandeventuallyontoanother.Evenwiththeretrainingrequired,evenwiththerelicensinginvolved…somepeoplejusthaveahungerforpickinguptheskillstohelppatientsfromeveryangle.Onethingyou’lllearnfastisthatclientsdon’tcareaboutthedifferencebetweenapsychologist,counselorandtherapist,andcareevenlessaboutthelicensestheyhold.Inthecontextofhumanservicesespecially,theyonlycarethatsomeoneisreachingouttohelpthem.What’sinaName?LegalObligations,That’sWhatSowhatifsomeonewantstocallthemselvesacounselor?Well,itdependsonthestate.Insomestates,thelawprotectsthetitle.Practitionerscandowhatevertheywant,buttheycan’tcallthemselvesa“licensed”practitionerwithoutmeetingalltheformalrequirements.TheseareTitleActstates.Inotherstates,thelawpreventspractitionersfromengagingintheactualpracticesofcounseling,therapyorpsychologywithoutalicense,nomatterwhattheycallthemselves.ThesearePracticeActstates.Oregonisanexampleofapracticeactstate,andhasexplicitlanguagedescribingtherequirementsforlicensure,andtherestrictionsforanybodywhoisunlicensed:675.825Prohibitedpractices;exceptions;civilpenalty.(1)Apersonmaynot:(a)Attempttoobtainorobtainalicenseorlicenserenewalbybriberyorfraudulentrepresentation.(b)Engageinorpurporttothepublictobeengagedinthepracticeofprofessionalcounselingunderthetitle“licensedprofessionalcounselor”unlessthepersonisalicensee.(c)Engageinorpurporttothepublictobeengagedinthepracticeofmarriageandfamilytherapyunderthetitleof“licensedmarriageandfamilytherapist”unlessthepersonisalicensee.(d)Engageinthepracticeofprofessionalcounselingormarriageandfamilytherapyunless:(A)Thepersonisalicensee,registeredinternorgraduatestudentpursuingagraduatedegreeincounselingormarriageandfamilytherapy;or(B)ThepersonisexemptedfromthelicensingrequirementsofORS675.715to675.835bysubsection(3)ofthissection.Chapter675oftheOregonRevisedStatutesof2019governingthetitlesandpracticesrestrictedtolicenseesincounselingormarriageandfamilytherapy.Apracticeactismoreaggressiveinprotectingthepublic,focusedonreducingmistreatmentandmalpracticeratherthanstrictlytryingtostopmisrepresentationandthemisuseofprofessionaltitles.WhereTherapy,CounselingandPsychologyOverlapandComplementOneAnotherLet’sstartwithwhatalltheseroleshaveincommon.Therapists,counselorsandpsychologistsalldealwithissuesofmentalhealthandwellness,specializingindifferenttypesoftreatmenttechniquesandoftenenough,entirelydifferentkindsofissues.Eachofthemrequiresthesamecorevaluesandskills,though:EmpathyandcompassionPatienceActivelisteningEthicsFlexibleapproachestotreatmentScientificandexperimentalexpertiseWhydoyouneedscientificandexperimentalexpertiseassomeonewhoprovidesmentalhealthtreatment?Becausementalhealthisalwaysamovingtarget.Eachpatientisunique.Yourabilitytoshiftyourapproachandusethescientificmethodtonaildownwhatworksiscrucialinalltheseprofessions.There’sakindofsimilaritytoallthesejobsthatcomesoutofthosecorevalues,andthefactthattheytreatmanyofthesameconditions.Itturnsoutthatwhatworkstohelppeople,works,nomatterwhatyoucallthepersondoingthejob.AwrenchturnsthesamewayforaguyworkingonaclassicGTOasitdoesforanaerospacetechnicianworkingonajetengine.Ifyouarelookingforafatherfigurethatunitesthehistoryofallthreeoftheseprofessions,yougobacktoWilhelmWundt.Wundtbroughtthescienceofpsychologyoutoftherealmofphilosophy.Hisworkisthebasisfortheevidence-driven,experimentalapproachthattherapy,counselingandpsychologyallrelyontoday.WundttaughtinLeipzig,whichhadbeenakindofhotbedfortheoriesofthoughtandcognitiongoingallthewaybacktoGottfriedLeibniz(inhissparetime,whenhewasn’tbusyinventingcalculus).SoWundtwasn’tstartingfromscratch.MentorslikeErnstWeberandGustavFechnersethimtoworkonsomeoftheinitialexperimentationinsensoryperceptionandmeasurementthatgothiminterestedinpsychologicalsciences.In1879,WundtopenedalabattheUniversitydevotedtopsychologicalstudies.Heattractedstudentsfromallovertheworld,whichispartofwhyhisinfluenceissogreatinthefieldtoday.Thepsychologyfamilytreeinalmosteverycountryreachesbackdirectlytohislab.ThoughWundtdidn’tdevelopanygreattheoriesormakeanyastoundingbreakthroughsinmentalhealth,hebrokethegroundthatmadeitpossibleforthelikesofFreudandotherstodevelopthepracticesthatarekeytopsychology,therapyandcounselingeventoday.SharedTreatmentModalitiesandTherapyTechniquesThatmeansyoufindpractitionersineveryrolerelyingonthesamekindoftreatmenttechniques.Psychotherapy–Talktherapy,thetraditionalsit-on-a-couch-and-emoteapproachtotalkingthroughmentalissues.CognitiveBehavioralTherapy(CBT)/DialecticalBehaviorTherapy(DBT)–Twopsychotherapeuticapproachesthatinvolvemindfulnessandemotionalregulation,oftenusedonPTSDandborderlinepersonalitydisorders(BPD).AppliedBehavioralAnalysis(ABA)–ABAisabehavioralapproachtomentalhealthtreatmentthathasbranchedoffintoitsownlicensedandcertificatedprofession(BCBA,BoardCertifiedBehaviorAnalyst).ButABAisalsosomethingMFTs,counselorsandpsychologistsusewithpositiveoutcomesonproblemsrangingfromaddictiontodepression.InterpersonalTherapy–Atime-limited(12-16weeks),psychotherapeuticapproachofferingauniquestructurethatworkswellforcounselorsdealingwithspecificissuessuchasgriefordisputes.Itisalsoamethodthattherapistsandpsychologistsuse.PsychodynamicTherapy–Psychologistsoftenusethisformofdepthpsychologytogettocoreissuesthroughpsychoanalysis,butitiswell-alignedwiththetherapistmindsettoosinceitfocusesonsystemicandholisticunderstandingandtreatment.Eachprofessionmightgravitatetowardoneormoreofthesekindsoftherapies,buteveryrolecanusethemwhereappropriate.ProfessionalsTreatSimilarMentalHealthIssuesThephoneringsattheofficesoftherapists,counselorsandpsychologistsforthesamekindsofmentalhealthproblemseveryday:depression,anxiety,angermanagement,addiction.Therearesomebasictasks,likepatientassessment,crisisinterventionandotherbasicsthateverycompetentmentalhealthprofessionalcanhandle.Butwhenitcomestothetypesofissuestheytreat,youstarttoseemoredifferencesbetweenthejobs.Everyoneisfamiliarwithmarriagecounselorsormarriagetherapists.Andthoughitmaybeunusualtoseeamarriagepsychologist,theydoexist.Butyou’llneverfindalicensedcounselorwhotreatspatientswithseriouspsychoticdisorderslikeschizophrenia.Forsomeconditionsit’samatterofseveritythatmakesthedifferenceinwhoisqualifiedtoprovidetreatment.Forthemostseverementalhealthissues,youneedtocallinthebigguns,residency-traineddoctorate-preparedpsychologistswithspecializedexpertise.Butinothercases,it’smoreaboutcustomorpracticality.Counselorsmayendupseeingpatientswhosimplycan’tpaythehigherratespsychologistscommand.Familytherapistsgetthebulkofworkincouplescounselingevenifcounselorscouldcompetentlydealwiththesameissues.Andoften,that’sfornootherreasonthanbecauseMFTisthemorefamiliartermformostpeople.NotonlydoesGoogleauto-fill“therapist”whenyoutypein“marriageandfamily,”evenifyoutypeoutmarriageandfamilycounseling,you’llseelistingsforMFTscomeup.Noneoftheseareanall-or-nothingdeal,however.It’sactuallyquitecommonforalloftheserolestooverlapandworktogetheroncomplexcases.TheCoreDifferencesBetweenPsychologists,TherapistsandCounselorsIfthosearethesimilaritiesbetweentheseprofessions,thenwhatarethedifferences?Therearemany,butifyoulookcarefully,youcantracethemallbacktothesecoredistinctionsofphilosophy:Counseling–Viewsmentalhealthissuesthroughapractical,individualizedperspective,focusesonproblem-solvingandunderstandingspecificpracticaldetailsthatcontributetoproblems.Therapy–Seeschallengesintermsofsocialandrelationshipcontexts,expandingdiagnosisandtreatmenttothewebofinterpersonalconnectionswithpartners,familyandfriendsthatmayimpactapatient’smentalhealthstatus.Psychology–Lookstolargertheoreticalbasesofhumanthoughtandbehaviortotracetherootcausesofdysfunction,oftenbacktotraumasandlifeevents,andthenofferingtreatmentonaholistic,individualbasis.Althoughthesedifferentpathshaveresultedindifferentprofessions,theyhaven’tevolvedinavacuum.Eachofthemhasinfluencedtheothersalongtheway.Andjustbecausetheyapproachmentalhealthproblemsfromdifferentperspectivesdoesnotnecessarilymeantheyarriveatdifferentconclusions.Thereisanevolutionaryarctowardwhatworks.Thatcanmaketheday-to-dayfunctionsofatypicaltherapist,counselororpsychologistappearverysimilarinpractice.Ascrewdriverisstillascrewdrivernomatterwhosehandisturningit.Butthedifferentperspectivesfromwhichtheyapproachproblemsareanimportantdegreeofdifference.Thosedifferentworldviewsstarttotakerootinthepathstoeducationyoufollowtoentereachprofession.Andasyoulookatthehistoryofhoweachoftheserolesemergedasadistinctprofession,youcanbegintoseehowthoseperspectivescametobepartofthepackageforeachone.Psychology’sDeepRootsandHistorybutContinuestoChangeandEvolvePsychology’shistorygoesbackthefurthestofany.Italsoservesassomeoftherootsforcounselingandtherapywork,allstrungaroundeachotherandweavingtogetheratvariouspointsintheirevolution.SomeoftheearliestphilosophicalworkfromculturesasvariedasGreek,Indian,andChinese,exploredthequestionsofthehumanmind.Butitwasn’tuntilGermandoctorWilhelmWundtgotinterestedinthephysiologyofthebrainthatpsychologyreallygotstartedonthemodernscientificapproachitsknownfornow.FromWundtthroughFreud,WilliamJames,JohnWatson,andthenhundredsofotherpsychologistsworldwide,thescienceevolvedquicklyandspreadwidelyintoeveryaspectofhumanbehaviorandcognition.Thefocusofeachofthemwasonscienceandascientificunderstandingofcognitiveandbehavioralissues.Andthat’swhypsychologyemergesasthemostdeeplyengagedoftheseprofessions.Thedepthandbreadthofthoserootsmeansthatpsychologyhasatendencytolooktotheoryanddatawhenitcomestoassessingmentalissues.Psychologistsaren’tafraidtotakeapartthecarburetorandgettotheheartofmentalissues.EmergenceofMentalHealthCounselingtoHelpWarVeteransAmentalhealthcounselor,ontheotherhand,mightjusthaveyoumakesubtleadjustmentsuntilthingsstartrunningmoresmoothly.Thepractical,get-it-doneperspectiveofmentalhealthcounselorscomesfromtheoriginsoftheprofessioninvocationalandschoolcounseling.Action-oriented,usedtoviewingindividualsbasedontheirownstrengthsandweaknesses,youcanseehowcounselorsnaturallybecameproblem-solvers.Theystartedoffworkingwithpeopletryingtofitintoachangingsocietybyfindingthemtherightrolestofillandeventuallyappliedthesametechniquestodealingwithmorepersonal,individualizedproblems.RightaroundthesametimeasthousandsofwoundedandtraumatizedsoldierswerecomingbackfromtheFirstWorldWar,societycametoembracetheideathatindividualswithmentalhealthissuescouldandshouldbetreatedandassistedinfindingaplaceinsociety.Itwastheseearlycounselorswhoarecreditedfordiscoveringthatphysicaldisabilitiesweren’ttheonlyproblemsthatneededtobeaddressed.But itwasn’tuntilthe1970s,post-Vietnamerathattheprofessionbegandoingseriousrehabilitationandmentalhealthworkwithreturningveteransusingthosesameperspectivesandtraining.TheAmericanMentalHealthCounselor’sAssociationwascreatedin1976whenitbecameclearthatthiswasawholenewballgamecomparedtothetypeofvocationalcounselingworkthatwasinthewheelhouseofmostcounselors.Buttheattitudesthatmotivatedthemtohelpindividuals,andtoseethemasuniqueandworthyofaplaceinsociety,neverleft.MarriageandFamilyTherapyRemainsInclusiveMaritalcounselingemergedinthe1930’sintheUnitedStatesasanoutgrowthfromtheeugenicsmovementofthatera…notagreatstart.Butinthepost-waryearsandintothe1960s,whatcameoutofthenewsocialupheavalswasarenewedinterestinmaritalhappinessandfamilyharmony.DrawingonnewtheoriesofpsychologycomingfromBowenandBatesonwhobelievedthattreatmentofindividualsmightnotbeaseffectiveasaddressingtheirentirefamilygroup,marriageandfamilytherapytookoffinabigway.Marriageandfamilytherapycameofageasnewunderstandingsofmulticulturalism,thesocialcontractandgenderwereevolving.Itonlymakessensethatitembracesmentalhealthandtherapyasproblemsthatarebestaddressedinthecontextofrelationshipsandsocialsupportsystems.Anditonlymakessensethatitnowseekstousemoreinclusivelanguage,thesedaysoftenbeingreferredtoascoupleandfamilytherapy.DegreePathsIntoTheMentalHealthProfessionsAlmostallofthelicensedrolesforpsychologists,counselorsandtherapistsrequireamaster’sdegreeorhigher.Psychologists,otherthanschoolpsychologists,havetoclimballthewaytoadoctorate.PsychologistCounselorTherapistDegreeLevelPhD/PsyDMasterorhigherMasterorhigherSpecialtyAccreditorAPACACREPCOAMFTETypicalCost$50,000toover$200,000$25,000toover$55,000$25,000toover$55,000 AllfiguresarefromtheNationalCenterforEducationStatistics(NCES)forthe2018-2019schoolyear.Thosecostsdon’tincludethecostoftheundergraduatedegreethatcomesfirst.NCESpegsabachelor’satabout$20,000to$44,000peryear,dependingonwhetherit’sapublicorprivateschoolandifyouareeligibleforin-statetuitionornot.Onesimilaritythatrunsthroughallofthesepathsissomethingthatcanendupbeingabigadvantageforyou.Attheundergraduatelevel,justaboutanyofthesemajorswillworkjustfinetoqualifyyoutoenteranyoftheothersatthemasterordoctorallevel.ABSinPsychologyisareallycommonwaytogetintomaster’sprogramsincounselingortherapy.ABSinCounselingisperfectlyacceptabletoPsyDdoctoraladmissionscommittees.SpecialtyAccreditationStandardsinMentalHealthOnethingthatmakesallthesedegreesdifferentisthatprogramsshouldmeetthehighstandardsoftheirrespectivespecialtyaccreditors.Thatgivesyoualltheassurancesyouneedaboutthequalityofyourinstructorsandtheresourcesyou’llgetateachschool,butitalsodoesmorethanthat.Eachspecialtyaccreditorisastandard-bearerfortheprofession.Theykeeptheseprogramsintheirlanes,keepingthecultureandphilosophyconsistent.Theseaccreditorsareactuallyabigpartofwhatestablishesthedistinctionsbetweenalloftheseroles.CACREP–CouncilforAccreditationofCounselingandRelatedEducationalPrograms:CACREPistheyoungestagency,establishedin1981,butitgrewoutoftheAssociationforCounselorEducationandSupervisionthathadbeenputtingtogetherstandardsforcounselingeducationsincethe1960s.Unliketheothertwoaccreditors,itisaseparateentityfromthemainprofessionalbodiesincounseling.COAMFTE–CommissiononAccreditationforMarriageandFamilyTherapyEducation:COAMFTEwasestablishedin1974bytheAmericanAssociationofMarriageandFamilyTherapytooverseetrainingprogramsinthefield.Theyreviewmaster’sanddoctoralprogramsandpost-graduatedegreeclinicaltrainingprogramsinmarriageandfamilytherapy.APA–AmericanPsychologicalAssociation:TheAPAistheoldestgroup,foundedin1892,andthebody’sCommissiononAccreditationnotonlyevaluatesdoctoralprogramsbutalsointernshipandpostdoctoralresidencyprograms,controllingtheentirescopeofclinicalpsychologytraining.DecipheringDifferencesinDegreeTitlesSomethingyouwillnoticewithallofthesedegreepathsisthattheyleanslightlytowardeitherliberalarts,scienceoreducation.Andlikecounseling,therapyandpsychologyroles,thedifferencescanbesubtle,butstillworthnoting.MasterofArts(MA)–Foreithercounselingortherapy,anMAisatraditionalhumanitiesdegree,withamixtureofinterdisciplinaryskillsdrawingfromallthedifferentelementsofaliberalartseducation:philosophy,history,ethics,andsoon.Youmayfindlessresearchandexperimentalcourseworkandfewerhardsciencecoursesinfavorofsocialandculturalstudiesrelevanttocounselingandtherapy.MasterofScience(MS)–AnMSinCounselingorTherapy,ontheotherhand,stickswiththesciences.Youwillhavemorecourseworkinhardcorepsychologicaltheoryandpsychometrics.You’llprobablygetmoreresearchopportunitiesandlearnaboutmethodologyandexperimentaltechniquestoo.MasterofEducation(MEd)–MEdprogramsincounselingofferspecializedtrainingtopreparestudentsforworkineducationalcounselingenvironments…K-12,colleges,orotherinstitutionslikeprisonsormentalhealthcarefacilities.Theystillcarrytheaccreditationforlicensureandyouwillfindthemwithappropriateconcentrationsinclinicalmentalhealth,addiction,andothertypesofcounseling.DoctorofPhilosophyinCounselingorTherapy(PhD)–Thedoctorallevelofcounselingandtherapyeducationisalmostentirelydesignedtopreparegraduatesforacademicandresearchjobsinthefield,ratherthanpractice.DoctorofPhilosophyinPsychology(PhD)–Ontheotherhand,aPhDinpsychologyisthetraditionaldegreeforallkindsofpsychologists,includingclinicalpractitioners.Itisfocusedheavilyonresearchandexperimentation,however.Forthatreason,it’sconsideredidealforacademicandinvestigativerolesinthefield,withalotoftheoreticalstudyofpsychologicalprinciples.DoctorofPsychology(PsyD)–ThePsyDisanewerpsychologydegree,intendedspecificallytopreparegraduatesforclinicaltreatmentpositions.Theyfocusonthepracticalapplicationsofpsychologyinthefield,fromhandlingassessmentstodeliveringtherapies.DoctorofEducation(EdD)–Adoctorofeducationinpsychologyisanotherspecializeddegreethatisspecificallydesignedforschoolpsychologists.Althoughmoststatesonlyrequireschoolpsychologiststoholdamaster’sdegree,theadditionaltrainingoffersagreaterdepthofexpertiseinthefield.You’llalsoseedegreesadvertisedasstraightMasterofFamilyTherapyprograms.Digdeeper,though,andyou’llseeinthecollegecatalogthatthesearealsoeitherMAorMSdegreesatheart.Justastherearenutsandboltsdifferencesineachofthesejobsoutinthefield,though,therearealsospecificdifferencesintheeducationandtrainingforeachofthem.BecomeaCounselor–Master’sDegreeMentalhealthcounselorsmustearnmaster’sdegreesincounselingorincloselyrelatedareas.Statesvaryonwhattheywillaccept,butmostwilltakeanymaster’sprogramwith60creditsorsooftraining,withacertainminimumnumberofcreditsinspecificcounseling-relatedcoursework.ThatspecializedCACREPaccreditationmeansthatcourseworkwillinclude:ProfessionalCounselingOrientationandEthicalPractices–You’llgetintothehistoryandphilosophythatledtothemoderncounselingprofessionanddiscusstherolesandresponsibilitiesthatcomewiththeprofession.SocialandCulturalDiversity–Theimpactofheritage,attitudes,beliefsandacculturativeexperiencehasanenormouseffectonmentalhealthandhardship.You’llunderstandhowtoputyourbraininthechairacrossthetableandseethingsfromtheclient’sperspectiveafterthiscoursework.HumanGrowthandDevelopment–Humanbeingschangeastheygrow,andthesystemicandenvironmentalfactorsinthatprocesscancreateabnormalities.You’llstudythetheoriesandetiologiesofbehaviorsateveryage.CareerDevelopment–Morethanjusthowtoofferjobadvice,thesecourseslookatthemajorimpactthattheworkenvironmentcanhaveonindividualhealthandhappiness.Withone-thirdofatypicallifespentintheworkplace,it’sahugefactorinmentalwell-being.CounselingandHelpingRelationships–Thesecourseswillgetintothecoreofcounselingwork,developingarapportwithclientsandcomingupwitheffectivetreatmentplans.Crisisinterventionandtrauma-preventiontacticsarecoveredhere.GroupCounselingandGroupWork–You’llgetintothetheoreticalandpracticalaspectsofmanaginggrouptherapy,learninghowtoleveragethesocialspectrumforresultsinmulti-patientsettings.AssessmentandTesting–Standardizedtestsandvariouschecklistsandobservationalconceptsaretaughttohelpyounarrowdownyourdiagnosesinvariouseducational,social,andclinicalsettings.ResearchandProgramEvaluation–Finally,althoughit’slessemphasizedincounselingthanpsychology,you’llgetintothedevelopmentandusesofevidence-basedapproachestoprogramdevelopmentandevaluations.CACREPalsoaccreditsdoctoraldegreesincounseling.Thosearen’trequiredforlicensureorevenformostjobs,buttheygiveyouachancetoexpandyourknowledgeandqualificationstothehighestlevelifyouchoosetodoso.BecomeaMarriageandFamilyTherapist–Master’sorDoctorateAtherapistwillgothrough45credithoursormoreofgraduate-levelcourseworkinadditiontoatleast500directcontacthoursoffieldworkinmultipleinternshipplacements.COAMFTE’sapproachtoaccreditationensuresthatthetrainingallalignswitharelational/systemicphilosophy:lookingatmentalhealthissuesaspartsofsocialorpersonalinterrelationships.Thatmeansalotofcourseworkonsocietyandculture.Anti-racismandinclusionarebuiltintotherapymaster’sprogramsbydesign.Understandingculturalcompetencyisacorerequirement.Thetrainingisdesignedtobeoutcome-based.TheStudentLearningOutcomessetoutbyCOAMFTEdon’trequirespecifickindsofclasses,butallowprogramstotakedifferentroutestomeettheseobjectives:Developcompetenciesintherelational/systemictheoriesandmodelsofmarriageandfamilytherapy,usingevidence-basedpracticeandabiopsychosocialperspective.Becomecompetentintheclinicaltreatmentofindividuals,couplesandfamiliesfromdiversebackgroundsandsocialstatus,includingdevelopingcrisisinterventionskills.Understandandapplyknowledgeofdiversity,power,privilegeandoppressioninpracticewithdiverse,marginalizedorotherwiseunderservedcommunities.Beabletounderstandanduseresearchandevaluationmethodsinsupportofevidence-basedpractices,includingbeinganinformedconsumerofcurrentresearchinthefield.Understandtheprofessionalidentityandlegalandethicalresponsibilitiesofmarriageandfamilytherapists,centeredontheAAMFTCodeofEthics.Haveafirmunderstandingofbiopsychosocialhealthanddevelopmentacrossthelifespan.Developcompetenciesinsystemandrelationalassessmentofmentalhealthissuesandtreatmentplanning.Thisincludesunderstandingofthepsycho-diagnosticcategoriesincludingaddiction,suicide,trauma,andabuse.Familiaritywithcontemporaryissuesinmarriageandfamilytherapy.Thechangingnatureofsocialacceptanceandcustomincludingeffectsofimmigration,technology,same-sexmarriage,violenceinschools,andotherhottopicsshouldbeunderstoodintermsofimpactsoftherapypractices.Graduateswillbecomefamiliarwithcommunityintersectionsandcollaborationwithmultidisciplinarytreatmentteams,viewingthetherapeuticcomponentsoftheirprofessionaspartofmoreholistictreatmentgoals.AswithCACREP,COAMFTEaccreditsdoctoral-leveldegreesaswell.Theysetoutadditionalandhigherstandardsforthoseprograms,but,aswithCACREP,PhDsinMFTaremorecommonforthoseheadedforjobsintheteachingworldthanforpractitioners.BecomeaLicensedPsychologist–PsyDorPhdPsychologistsreceivethebroadestanddeepesteducationinmentalhealthissuesofanyoftheseroles.Uptosevenyearsinadoctoralprogramgivesyoualotoftimetohitthebooks.Psychologydoctoralstudentscomeawaywithacoreunderstandingofeveryelementofhumancognitionandbehaviorfromeveryangle,fromneurologytosociology.Thatputspsychologistsinauniqueplacetospecializeinanykindofmentalhealthcarepractice.Soyouwillfindcounselingpsychologistsandfamilypsychologistsinthehumanservicesfieldandbeyond,andtheirpracticesalmostcompletelyoverlapwithcounselorsandtherapistsinthiscapacity.Developingthatsortofexpertisegoesbeyondjuststudying.Psychologydoctoralprogramsalsoinvolveoriginalresearchandplentyofhands-onpracticum.YoucanexpectclinicalfieldplacementsthroughoutaPsyDprogram,placingyououtintherealworldtolearnasyouworkundersupervisionandguidanceforbetween8and20hoursperweekdependingonyourcourseload.Afullclinicalinternshipcapsthatoffwithevenmoreon-the-jobexperience.PhDprogramsshiftsomeofthisintoresearchhours,buteitherway,theprocessisintense.Therearemanydifferentspecializationsandconcentrationsinpsychology.Eachofthemwillhaveuniquecourseworkthatgoalongwiththem.ButthecoreprograminanypsychologyPhDorPsyDwillcover:HistoryandFoundationsofPsychology–Youstartoffwiththetheorygoingallthewaybacktothebeginnings,andfollowthefamilytreeofpsychologicalthoughtforwardthroughFreudtoPeircetoJamestoMaslowandbeyond.Themodernschoolsofpsychologicalthoughtandinterpretationaregrownoutofthishistory,settingyourfoundationfirmlyinresearchandexperimentation.TheBasesofHumanBehavior–Outofthosetheoriescomesunderstanding.You’llstartdownattheneurologicallevelandlearnthemodernconceptionsofthebasesofhumanbehavior,fromcognitive/affectivetosocialandcultural.It’safirmpictureofwhatmakespeopletick.Psychopathologies–Andafteryoulearnwhatmakespeopletick,you’llstudyallthedifferentwaystheycanstartmissingbeats.You’lldigintotherootsofmentalissuesandlearnthecategoriesandeffectsofabnormalpsychology.AssessmentandTreatmentCompetencies–Thisiswheretherubbermeetstheroadinpsychprograms.LearningtestsandassessmenttoolsliketheMinnesotaMultiphasicPersonalityInventory(MMPI)anddifferenttypesoftreatments,rangingfromcognitivebehaviortherapytopsychotherapygivesyouthetoolsetthatmakespsychologistsunique.Research–ResearchgetsastrongerfocusinPhDprograms,butit’saprominentpartofalldoctoralpsychologydegrees.Experimentaldesign,ethicsstatisticalandquantitativecourseworkandbestpracticesallhelpbuddingpsychologistscometogripswiththeevidence-drivenrootsoftheprofession.EthicsandtheLaw–Liketheothermentalhealthtreatmentroles,ethicsareabigpartofpsychologyeducation.Psychologistsaretrainednotjustinthelegalandcodeofconductstandards,butalsothephilosophybehindethicalbehaviorandhowtoreasonthroughdifficultsituationsfromthoseprinciples.Notonlydotheygetthisintensiveeducationduringtheprogram,buttheyalsomayspendasmanyastwoyearsworkingonadoctoraldissertationinthefield.Whilemaster’sgraduatesintherapyandcounselingwillproduceathesisduringtheirtrainingthatfillsasimilarpurpose,adissertationisexpectedtobeahighlyoriginalsynthesisofthepsychologist’seducationandasynthesisoftheirentireprogram.Itdevelopsahighlevelofexpertiseinthesubjectmatter.HowLicensingWorksforCounselors,TherapistsandPsychologistsAlloftheserolesarelicensedatthestatelevel.Thereisnounifiednationalstandardforeveryprofession.Soyou’llfindsomedifferencesnotjustfromjobtojob,butalsofromstatetostate,evenwherethetitlesarethesame.Butyouwillalsofindthatallofthemjumpthroughalotofthesamehoopstogetthatlittlepieceofpaperattheend.Ingeneral,licensureforeachoftheseprofessionsincludescheckingtheseboxes:PsychologistCounselorTherapistEducationDoctorate–4to7yearsMaster’s–2yearsMaster’s–2yearsExaminationEPPPNCE/CRCE/ECCP/NCMHCEMFTNESupervisedExperience1500–6000hours2000–3000hours1500–3000hours/2yearsLicenseCost$500–$1000$50–$400$130–$400Ontopofthelicensecostitself,you’llalsohavevarioustestingfees,thecostsofgettingacriminalbackgroundcheck,andsometimesadditionalstate-mandatedclassesindomesticviolence,HIV-awarenessorothersubjects.Everystatehasaboardthatisresponsibleforsettingthosestandardsandevaluatingqualificationsforeachlicense.Inmanystates,likeArkansasandPennsylvania,you’llevenbedealingwiththesamelicensingboardsfortherapistsandcounselors.Butit’snotalwayssoclear.Alaska,forinstance,categorizesbothLicensedMarriageandFamilyTherapistsandLicensedMarriageandFamilyCounselorsastherapists,eventhoughthereisalsoaBoardofProfessionalCounselorsandaseparateLPClicense.Thereisenoughcommonthreadrunningthroughdifferenttypesoftherapyandcounselingthatlicenseholdersinanyoftheserolesareusuallyspecificallyexemptedfromhavingtogetalicenseintheother.Soyoucaneasilypracticeacrossboundaries…toanextent.Locallawswilltellyouwherethatlineis.Andschoolcounselorsandpsychologistseachhaveawholeseparatelicensingregimetodealwithspecifictotheirjobs.Youcanfindmoredetailshereonhowtobecomeapsychologist,aswellastherapistandcounselinglicenserequirements.TestingCreatesDistinctiveCategoriesForMentalHealthProfessionalLicensingTestingsetsouttheboundariesfortheroleineverystate.Testsforeachtypeoflicensereflectthekindofapproachtomentalhealthtreatmentyougotinyourdegreeprogram.Apartfromthat,theytendtocoverthesamekindsofgeneralmentalhealthconditionsandclinicalskills,justfromdifferentangles.Allstatesrelyononespecifictestforeachofthosejobs:Therapists:TheMFTNationalExamination,offeredbytheAssociationofMarital&FamilyRegulatoryBoards,isthesoleexamusedtovetcoupleandfamilytherapistlicensecandidates.It’sanin-personexamtakenatPrometricTestingCentersthatyouwillbeallowedtoscheduleafteryoureducationandotherqualificationshavebeenapprovedbythestatelicenseboard.Thetestitselfcoverssixdomainswithinmarriageandfamilytherapywithatotalof180questionstobecompletedin4hours.Psychologists:PsychologistsineverystatehavetofacedowntheintimidatingEPPP,orExaminationforProfessionalPracticeinPsychology.It’satwo-partexamcoveringknowledgeandskills,withover200questionsinmultipleformats.Theygoover14differentdomainsofpsychologicalinformation,reflectingtheprofession’swidebaseofexpertise.Theexamcosts$600andtakesjustoverfourhourstocomplete.That’saboutoneminuteperquestion,sothere’snotimetocontemplate.Youneedtoknowthematerialcold.Counselors:Unliketherapistsandpsychologists,counselorsfacealotofdifferentpossibleexams.Thatreflectsthedifferentpracticalareasthefieldcovers.Thethreemainexamsare:NCE–NationalCounselorExamfromtheNationalBoardforCertifiedCounselors.Themostcommonexam,ithas200questionsoneightcontentareasspecifiedbyCACREP.NCMHCE–NationalClinicalMentalHealthCounselorExamination.AlsoofferedbyNBCC,thistestfocusesmorespecificallyonmentalhealthpractice.Theformatconsistsof10simulatedclinicalmentalhealthcasesandcoversassessmentandclinicalproblem-solvingskills.CRCE–CertifiedRehabilitationCounselorExaminationfromtheCommissiononRehabilitationCounselorCertification.FromtheCommissiononRehabilitation,thistestcovers12knowledgedomainsthatarespecifictorehabilitationcounselingthrough175multiplechoicequestions.SupervisedExperienceRequirementsforEachPractitionerEachstatealsohasspecificrequirementsforsupervisedclinicalexperienceforeachkindofpractitioner.Althoughyou’llnoticeafewdifferencesifyoureallygetdownintotheweeds,infact,therearereallymorepracticaldifferencesfromstatetostatethantherearefromprofessiontoprofession.Everywhereyougo,you’llhavetospendatleastayearandprobablyclosertotwoyearspracticingunderthesupervisionofaqualifiedpractitioner.Someofyourcollegeexperiencewillcountwhilesomeofthehoursmustbeearnedaftergraduation,dependingonthestate.Itcantakeanywherefrom1,500to6,000totalhours,butsomestateswillgiveyoucreditformoreeducationversushours:extragraduatecreditscanreducethattotalcount.Inasignthatthereismorethatunitesthesejobsthandividesthem,inmanystatesyoursupervisorcanactuallybealicensedprofessionalfromoneoftheothertworoles.Inotherwords,apsychologistcanbethesupervisorforacounselor,oranLPCforanLMFT.Psychologystudentsintraining,membersoftheclergy,licensedtherapistsandpsychologists,medicaldoctorsandevenattorneysinsomecases,canbeexemptfromlicensurelaws.Andschoolcounselorshavetheirowncredentialtreetoclimb,althoughitoftenmirrorsLPCs.Allthelittlehoopsintoprofessionalpracticetendtobesimilarforeachrole,too.Thatincludesajurisprudenceexaminmoststates,whereyouverifyhowwellyouunderstandwhatyoucanandcannotdowiththatlicense.You’llalsohavetopasscriminalbackgroundchecksinmostcases,filloutabunchofforms,andpaytherequiredfees.Andallthreeprofessionswillrequirecontinuingeducationtokeepthoselicensescurrent.Thehoursvaryfromstatetostateandjobtojob.Ingeneral,youcanexpecttohavetoputinbetween10and20hoursperyeartokeepcurrentwiththelatestdevelopmentsinyourfield.Inmostcases,courseswillonlybeacceptediftheyareendorsedbythegoverningnationalbodyfortherole:Psychologists–APAContinuingEducationTherapists–AAMFTCoursesCounselors–NBCCContinuingEducationDay-to-DayDifferencesandSimilaritiesforTherapists,CounselorsandPsychologistsPsychologistCounselorTherapistJobsintheU.S.192,300319,400+66,200JobGrowth3%25%22%MedianPay$80,370$46,240$49,610 Dataforallprofessionsretrievedfromthe U.S.BureauofLaborStatistics,published May2019.You’veseenthedifferencesineducationandlicensingforthesejobs.Butwhatmakestheactualday-to-daytasksdifferentfromoneanother?Howislifedifferentforacounselorwhoshowsupatanaddictiontreatmentcenterversusapsychologistinprivatepracticeseeingclientsinaluxuryofficesuite eachday?That’safunvisual,butit’sactuallythewrongquestion.Adayinthelifeofapsychologistworkinginaddictiontreatmentwillhavealotmoresimilaritiestoacounselorworkinginthesamerolethanitwillwithafellowpsychologisttreatingwealthyclientsinaprivateoffice.AndanMFTworkinginthesameofficeparkasthatpsychologistwillprobablyseealotofthesamekindsofpatientsandengageinthesamekindsofassessmentandtreatment.Infact,theymayevenholdthesameboardcertifications.Manyspecialistmentalhealthtreatmentboardsofferelectiveprofessionalcertificationtolicensedmentalhealthprofessionalsregardlessoftheirtitle:BCPC–BoardCertifiedProfessionalCounselor(AmericanPsychotherapyAssociation)CCBT–CertifiedCognitive-BehavioralTherapist(NationalAssociationofCognitive-BehavioralTherapists)CST–CertifiedSexTherapist(AmericanAssociationofSexualityEducators,Counselors,andTherapists)Thesearegenerallyawardedformaster’sandhigherdegreesinabroadrangeofareaslikepsychology,counseling,socialwork,psychiatryandoccupationaltherapy.UniqueSkillsRequiredofCounselorsProfessionalcounselorsintheU.S.gobyalotofdifferenttitles.TheLicenseRequirementsforProfessionalCounselorsoverviewpublishedbytheAmericanCounselingAssociationfoundthefollowingtobethemostcommon:LicensedProfessionalCounselorMentalHealthCounselorClinicalProfessionalCounselorLicensedProfessionalClinicalCounselorofMentalHealthLicensedClinicalMentalHealthCounselorLicensedMentalHealthPractitionerCounselinglooksattoday’sproblemsandfiguresoutwhatyoucandoaboutthemtoday.That’swhyyoufindcareerandcollegecounselingmixedinwithheavy-dutystufflikeaddictionandmentalhealth…it’sallpartofthepackage.Fromatherapeuticmethodologicalperspective,therearen’tbrightlinesbetween“I’mhavingatoughtimeintheclassroom”and“Mymotherjustpassedaway.”Counselorsdon’tspendalotoftimediggingintoyourinnermostfeelingsorchildhoodtraumas.Theyworktogetahandleontoday’sproblemsandprovideworkable,provensolutions.Duetotheirpracticalperspectiveonmentalhealthproblems,counselorsendupinalotofhands-on,functional,specializedroles.Infact,CACREPdefinesthemspecifically:AddictionCareerClinicalMentalHealthClinicalRehabilitationCollegeCounselingandStudentAffairsMarriage,Couple,andFamilyCounselingSchoolCounselingInmanycases,thosejobsaredirectlywithanon-profitoragovernmentagency.Butasurprisingnumberofmentalhealthcounselorsworkindependently…65percentaccordingtoonestudy.Butcounselorsworkinginlargersystemstendtoapplyfixedprogramsoftreatmentandareoftenworkingwithclientswhoalreadyhaveadiagnosisoraproblemthatfitsintoaclearcategory.There’snotalotofroomforinnovationorcreativity.Youcanseealotmoredetailonallthedifferenttypesofcounselingjobsoutthereonouroverviewtobecomingacounselorpage.TherapistJobsFocusontheFamilyTherapistsmighthavesomeofthemostconsistentjobdutiesoutofanyoftheroles.Theyareconcentratedinindividualandfamilyservicesandotherclinicalcenters,with52percentofjobsfoundinthoseindustries.Becauseoftheirsystemicviewofmentalhealthissues,therapistsaremorelikelytospendtheirtimeconductinggroupsessionsorworkingwithasetofrelatedindividualsbothone-on-oneandtogether.Thenatureofthejobalsoputstherapistsmoreconsistentlyintocontactwithkids,eitheraspatientsoraspiecesofalargerpuzzlewhendealingwithissuesofmaritalconflict.FamilytherapistsowemuchoftheiruniqueapproachtotherapytoDoctorMurrayBowen.Bowenstartedoffinvestigatingschizophreniainthe1950s.ThemajorpsychologicaltherapeuticapproachtothediseaseatthetimewasrootedinFreudianthinking.ButBowenfeltthatwastoonarrow.Hebelievedthatthebasicemotionalunitmightnotbetheindividual,butthefamilygroup.Andifthatwasthecase,theonlywaytotreatitwastoengageinsystemsthinking.Itwasamajorshiftinmentalhealthtreatment,onethatmarriageandfamilytherapistshavemadetheirown.Theirfirstemphasisindiagnosisandtreatmentistoseethebigpictureofrelationshipsaroundthepersonorpeopleintherapy.Becausetheyaremorelikelytobeseeingkids,italsoputsthemonthefrontlinesofanepidemicamongAmericanyouth:autismtreatment.CDCestimatesputtheprevalenceofAutismSpectrumDisorderasaffectingroughlyoneineverysixty-eightkidsinthecountryasof2017.Marriageandfamilytherapistsmayworkdirectlywithkidsonthespectrum,ortheymayconcentrateonhelpingthefamiliesofthosekidswhilecoordinatingwithmorespecializedtypesoftherapists,namelylikeappliedbehavioranalysts.Thetrainingfortherapistsrevolvesaroundcommunicationandhelpingothersseedifferentpointsofview.Sodiscussionsandtrainingwithclientsaroundissuesofself-awarenessandcommunicationtechniquesmakeupalargepartofthedayfortherapists.PsychologistsHaveUnlimitedSpecialtiesAvailableTheAPAestimatedtherewereonlyaround106,000licensedpsychologistsintheUnitedStatesasof2019.It’sthemostexclusiveofthesejobs,whichalsomakesitthehighestpayingofthethree.It’salsotherolethatcantakeonthemostvariedtypesofspecialties.Apsychologydoctorateunlockstheoptionofengaginginjustaboutanysortofmentalhealthtreatment.Addictioncounseling?It’sonthetable.Familytherapy?Anytimeyoulike.Oryoucanheadoverintoresearchandacademicfunctions,maybeeventeachinginMFTorclinicalcounselingdegreeprograms.Butmostclinicalpsychologistshandlepatienttreatmentfromthesolidtheoreticalgroundingtheyreceiveinschool.Theycanuseanysortoftherapeuticapproachintreatment,butitwillalwaysbefixedondeterminingarootcauseandaddressingthesourceofthedisfunction.Psychologistsaremorelikelytoseepatientsforlongerperiodsoftheirlives.Thatgivesthemachancetobuildarapportthattherapistsandcounselorscanrarelyachieve.Assomeofthemosthighlytrainedmentalhealthprofessionals,you’llfindpsychologistshavealotmoreroomtosettheirownagendafromday-to-day.Theyhavewidelatitudeindiagnosingclients,decidingontreatmentplansanddeliveringdirecttreatment.TherapistsvsCounselorsvsPsychologistsSalaryDifferencesBecauseofthewaythattheBureauofLaborStatisticstracksdata,thesenumberswon’tbeonthenose—theydon’tincludemanytypesofcounselingroles,whicharesplitoffintoothercategories,buttheydolumpinmanynon-licensed,non-clinicalpsychologists.Still,yougetanideaofhowthingsbreakoutforeachkindofjob.Whereyouwillnoticethebiggestdifferenceswillbeinthespecializationsavailabletothedifferentroles,andthepaychecktheycashattheendofthemonth.CounselorSalaryWhatcanyoumakeinthoseroles?AccordingtotheBureauofLaborStatistics,entry-levelrolesforlicensedprofessionalcounselorsrunbetween$35,000and$54,000peryear.Butspecialtiesandindustriesmatter,too:RehabilitationCounselors–$35,950Stategovernment–$51,260Individualandfamilyservices–$33,590Communityandvocationalrehabcenters–$32,310Nursingandresidentialcare–$31,070SchoolandCareerCounselors–$57,040Elementary–$64,060State,local,andprivateeducationalservices–$51,880Colleges–$51,120Healthcareandsocialassistance–$40,620SubstanceAbuse,BehavioralDisorder,andMentalHealthCounselors–$46,240Government–$52,720Hospitals–$49,100Individualandfamilyservices–$46,090Outpatientmentalhealthandtreatmentcenters–$44,750Residentialmentalhealthandtreatmentcenters–$36,690Thetoptenpercentofcounselorscanearnmorethan$76,080peryear.It’sthelowesthighofallthreeprofessions,butwiththerightjob,youcanreachmorepeopleandmakemoreofadifferenceintheworldthaninanyotherrole.MarriageandFamilyTherapistSalaryThe$49,610mediansalaryformarriageandfamilytherapistsisgenerallyhigherthantheaverageforcounselors.Butitcanalsoapproachtheratesforpsychologistsinsomecases.Thetoptenpercentoftherapistsearnmorethan$87,700.Thepaycanvarybyindustry,however.Surprisingly,someofthebestsalariescomewithgovernmentjobs:Stategovernment–$72,230Outpatientcarecenters–$52,140Individualandfamilyservices–$45,660Otherhealthcareoffices–$45,150PsychologistSalaryPsychologistshavethegreatestearningpotentialoutofanyofthesepositions.That’swhatyouwouldexpectconsideringtheyaresittingaroundinclassroomsandrackinguppracticumforalmostfiveyearslongerthantheirtherapistandcounselorcounterparts.IfFreudwerealivetoday,hemightnotsaythatthebestwaytosurpassyourfatheristopulldownbigpaychecksasaclinicalpsychologist…butthatdoesn’tmeanhewouldn’tbethinkingit.Thehugerangeofjobopportunitiesopentopsychologistsalsomeansthattheyhaveabroadsetofpossiblesalariestolookat.BLSshowsthattheaveragepsychologistmade$80,370in2019,buttheclinicalpsychologyrolehadamedianof$101,790thatyear.Andlikecounselingandtherapyjobs,whereyouworkmatters.Thesearesomeofthesalariesbysettingforpsychologistsinclinicalpractice:Physician’soffices–$89,060Hospitals–$92,560Government–$94,670Otherhealthcareoffices–$133,710TheAPAhasalsodonealotofnumber-crunchingfordifferentspecializationsinpsychology.Fromasurveypublishedin2017,theyfoundthattheaveragesalariesvariedwidelyfromspecialtytospecialty:Generalpsychology–$73,606Clinicalpsychology–$107,183Counselingpsychology–$89,108Educationalpsychology–$87,257Experimentalpsychology–$113,747Industrial/organizationalpsychology–$149,912Socialpsychology–$85,860Theyalsotookthetimetocalculateregionaldifferencesinsalaries.Regionaldifferencesholdtrueforallthreeroles,butpsychologyhappenstobewherewehavethemostconcretedataasreportedintheAPAsurvey:Pacific–$93,322Mountain–$73,645WestSouthCentral–$97,195EastSouthCentral–$69,782SouthAtlantic–$82,631WestNorthCentral–$103,652EastNorthCentral–$77,288MiddleAtlantic–$144,970NewEngland–$98,011Workinginmajorurbancentersornearthecoaststendstopaybetter.Sincethosearealsohighercost-of-livingareas,ofcourse,thatonlymakessense.Withalltheseprofessions,though,yourrealcompensationcomesintermsofliveschanged.Withalltheoptionsforpracticeyoucanfindbetweenthethree,there’snoquestionyoucangetintothekindofjobyoufindmostchallengingandrewardingforyourlife’swork.Thoughoftenconfused,thedifferencesbetweenacounselor,psychologist,andtherapistaresignificant,especiallywhenitcomestodecidingwhichcareeristhebestfitforyou.Ifyou’rewantingtopursueacareerasacounselor,findthebestonlineMaster’sinCounselingprogramtohelpyouachieveyourgoal.Ifpsychologyistherouteforyou,learnmoreaboutadegreeinpsychology.FINDSCHOOLS1DegreeCompletedHighSchoolDiploma/GEDSomeCollegeAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorateDegree2DesiredDegreeDiploma/CertificateAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorate3ProgramofInterestAllPsychology&CounselingProgramsAppliedBehaviorAnalysisChild/AdolescentPsychologyClinicalPsychologyCounselingPsychologyDevelopmentalPsychologyForensic/CriminalPsychologyHumanServicesIndustrial/OrganizationalPsychologyMarriageandFamilyTherapyMentalHealthCounselingOccupationalTherapySchoolCounselingSocialWorkSpeechPathologySubstanceAbuse/AddictionCounseling4GO!SponsoredContent