How to Become a Counseling Psychologist - Careers in ...

Counseling psychologists work with individuals, couples, groups and families to help them develop healthy relationships. They practice several talk therapy ... FINDSCHOOLS1DegreeCompletedHighSchoolDiploma/GEDSomeCollegeAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorateDegree2DesiredDegreeDiploma/CertificateAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorate3ProgramofInterestAllPsychology&CounselingProgramsAppliedBehaviorAnalysisChild/AdolescentPsychologyClinicalPsychologyCounselingPsychologyDevelopmentalPsychologyForensic/CriminalPsychologyHumanServicesIndustrial/OrganizationalPsychologyMarriageandFamilyTherapyMentalHealthCounselingOccupationalTherapySchoolCounselingSocialWorkSpeechPathologySubstanceAbuse/AddictionCounseling4GO!SponsoredContent FeaturedPrograms: SponsoredSchool(s) UniversityofWestAlabama FeaturedProgram:MasterofScience:ClinicalMentalHealth,FamilyorGuidanceCounseling RequestInfo EastCentralUniversity FeaturedProgram:BAHumanServicesCounseling:AgingServices,Rehabilitation,ServicestotheDeafandPreventionScienceConcentrations RequestInfo OurLadyoftheLakeUniversity FeaturedProgram:MasterofArtsinClinicalRehabilitationCounselingandSchoolCounseling RequestInfo SouthernNewHampshireUniversity FeaturedProgram:OnlineDegreesinPsychology&Counseling RequestInfo CapellaUniversity FeaturedProgram:MasterofScience:AddictionStudies,MarriageandFamilyTherapy,ClinicalMentalHealthandSchoolCounseling RequestInfo HowtoBecomeaCounselingPsychologist Betweenmanaginghomeresponsibilities,work,andfamilyrelationships,everyonecanbenefitfromtalkingtoaprofessionaltodiscussobstaclesintheireverydaylives.Pursuingacareerasacounselingpsychologistisagreatwaytogivebacktoothers,practiceempatheticlistening,andlearnskillstonavigateyourownobstaclesalongtheway. Thisrewardingcareerisagreatchoiceformanypeople.Learnmoreabouthowtobecomeacounselingpsychologist,whatthecareerincludes,andthenextstepstopursueapsychologydegreeonline. PopularCounselingPsychologyDegreePrograms ClinicalPsychologyvs.CounselingPsychology Becausethetwoaresosimilar,clinicalpsychologyandcounselingpsychologyareoftenmistakenforeachother.Despitethesimilarities,clinicalpsychologyandcounselingpsychologyaresomewhatdifferentaswell. Clinicalpsychologistsandcounselingpsychologistsbothtreatawidevarietyofmentalandemotionalproblems.However,counselingpsychologiststypicallyfocusonindividualswhosesymptomsarelesssevere,suchasthosecopingwitheverydaystressesandadjustingtolife'srollercoasterride.Clinicalpsychologists,ontheotherhand,oftentreatpatientswithmoreserioussymptomsanddisorders. Nowthatyouunderstandthedifferenttypesofpsychology,let’slookintohowtobecomeacounselingpsychologistinmoredetail. WhatDoesaCounselingPsychologistDo? Counselingpsychologistsworkwithindividuals,couples,groupsandfamiliestohelpthemdevelophealthyrelationships.Theypracticeseveraltalktherapytechniquestogettotherootofthedistressandoffersolutionstohelppatientsovercomeobstacles.Theylistentopatientsandofferadviceasneeded. Hereismoreinformationabouttheworkenvironmentsandday-to-daydutiesofcounselingpsychologists: ●Counselingpsychologistscanchoosetospecializeincertainareas,likegriefcounselingorvocationalstress. ●Thenumberofpatientsthatacounselingpsychologistworkswithatonetimecanvary.Someonlyworkwiththeirpatientsonaone-on-onesituation,whileothersmayworkwithsmallgroupsofpeople. ●Mostcounselingpsychologistsinteractwiththeirpatientseveryday.Theyareoftenpresentedwithawiderangeofmentalandemotionalconcerns. Manycounselingpsychologistsspecializeinperson-centeredtherapy,whichisatypeoftherapythatisbasedonpatients'individuallifeexperiences.Inperson-centeredtherapy,thepsychologistlistenstotheirpatientsandcanhelpsteerthemtowardchangingthemselvesforthebetter. Cognitive-behavioraltherapyisanothercommontypeoftreatmentusedbycounselingpsychologists.Thistypeoftherapyfocusesonclientsidentifyingandunderstandingtheirnegativebeliefs.Sincethesenegativebeliefsoftenaffectaperson'smoodandemotions,theclientandthepsychologistthenworktowardschangingthem. FINDSCHOOLSSponsoredContent IsCounselingPsychologyaGoodCareer? Whetherpursuingacareerasacounselingpsychologistisagoodcareerisapersonaldecisionanddependsonbothyourexperienceandnaturalpersonalityandinterests. Greatcounselingpsychologistscreateacomfortableandinvitingatmosphereforpatients.They’reunderstandingandnon-judgmentalsothatpatientswillopenuptothem.Cognitivepsychologistsencouragetheirpatientstotalkabouttheirfeelingsandbehaviorsandaskquestionstounderstandtheiruniqueconcerns.Bygettingtoknowtheirpatients,cognitivepsychologistscanworktohelpthemdealwithandremedytheirobstacles. Withthisinmind,acareerincounselingpsychologyisgoodforpeoplewhocareaboutothersandwanttohelpthemsolvetheproblemstheyarefacing.Psychologistsarekind,understanding,patient,andnon-judgemental. BecomingaCounselingPsychologist Let’slookathowtobecomeacounselingpsychologist,includingeducationrequirementsandinformationonthemanyplaceswherecounselingpsychologistscanwork. CounselingPsychologyEducationRequirements Thoseinterestedincounselingpsychologycareerswillusuallystartbyearningafour-yearBachelor'sdegreeinpsychology.Advanceddegreesareusuallynecessary.Severaluniversitiesoffermaster’sandDoctoraldegreesincounselingpsychology.Choosingapsychologyschoolwilldependonwhereyouwanttoworkandifyouwanttospecializeinaspecificnichewhenworkingasacounselingpsychologist. Thecurriculumrequirementstobecomeacounselingpsychologistaretypicallysimilarfromoneuniversitytothenext.Inadditiontolearningthefundamentalsofpsychologyandresearchmethods,futurecounselingpsychologistswillalsooftenlearnaboutdifferenttherapyandcounselingtechniques. Peoplewonderifit’shardtobecomeacounselingpsychologistandtheanswerdependsonhowmuchschoolingyouwanttopursue.Generally,youwillneedatleastfouryearsofundergradstudyaswellastwotoeightyearsofgraduateschooling. Howlongittakestobecomeacounselingpsychologistdependsonyoureducationrequirementsandwhereyouwork. WhereDoCounselingPsychologistsWork? Acounselingpsychologycareercanoftenleadapersoninseveraldifferentdirections.Ingeneral,counselingpsychologistsshouldhavenotroublefindingwork.Forexample,theycanoftenfindemploymentinplaceslikementalhealthclinics,hospitals,psychiatrichospitals,andschools. Forthoselookingforalittlemorecontrolovertheircounselingpsychologycareers,openingtheirownpracticeisanotheroption. HowMuchdoCounselingPsychologistsMake? AccordingtotheU.S.BureauofLaborStatistics(BLS),themediansalaryforcounselingpsychologistswas$78,200asofMay2019. Ofcourse,averagesalariesforcounselingpsychologistsvaryaccordingtowheretheywork.Hereareafewexamples: ●Childdaycareservices:$120,130 ●Homehealthcareservices:$105,440 ●Officesofotherhealthcarepractitioners:$100,300 ●Outpatientcarecenters:$99,870 ●Officesofphysicians:$95,960 CounselingPsychology:ACareerThatGivesBack Pursuingacareerasacounselingpsychologistisagreatwaytolearnmoreabouthowtoprocessemotionsandstressors,understandhowtolistenandempathize,andhelpothers.Tolearnhowtobeginaneducationandbecomeacounselingpsychologist,findapsychologydegreeprogramthatfitsyourneeds. FINDSCHOOLSSponsoredContent EmploymentOutlook&CareerGuidanceforCounselingPsychologists Helpingindividualsofallagestoaddressandcreateahealthybalancebetweentheextremesencounteredinalifetime(suchassadnessandhappiness,successandhardtimes,joyandpain),counselingpsychologistsaretrainedtoassistpatientsandclientsresolvesomeoflife'stoughestissues.Byidentifyingpsychologicallysoundcopingmethodsonanindividualandgroupbasis,professionalsoftenfindemploymentinhospitals,withcommunityorganizations,andatotherfacilitiesthatprovidecounselingservices. WhatTypeofPositionsCanaCounselingPsychologistHold? Inadditiontoassumingpositionsatcommunitymentalhealthcenters,familyserviceagencies,psychiatrichospitals,counselingcentersandmedicalschools,about21%ofcounselingpsychologistsworkinprivatepracticeswhile34%ofcounselingpsychologistsworkinacademia.Manycounselingpsychologistsprovidepsychotherapyserviceswithnumerousavailablecareerpathsthatonemayfollow,suchas: Administeringcareertestingandofferingvocationalcounselingtohelpclientschooseaprofession,copewithworkplaceconflict,oradjusttoanewjobenvironment. Workingwithspecificdiscussionandtherapygroupsrelatedtogrief,pregnancy,parenting,divorce,and/orlong-termillness. Administeringpersonalitytestsforlargecorporationsandbusinessesseekingnewemployees. Establishingaprivatepracticetoproviderelationshipcounselingtonewlyweds,couplesexperiencingcommunicationissues,andsame-sexcouples. Treatingpatientsinaclinicthatdealswithaddiction,suchasovereating,smoking,and/ordrugs. StaceyGlaesmann,M.A.saysthatundergraduatedegreesinanytypeofpsychologyfieldarelimiting;however,addsthatitisnotimpossibletofindapositioninthefield.AcommonjobpositionforsomeonewithaBachelor'sdegreeisinresearchasanassistant(RA).GlaesmannsuggeststhatthosewithaninterestinpursuinggraduateschoolshouldgetinvolvedinacoupleofstudiesasanRAwhilestillanundergrad.Learnmoreabouthowtobecomeacounselingpsychologist. "Startoffasclinicalmentalhealthcounselorsandeventuallyserveinsupervisoryandadministrativeroles.Somegoontopursueadoctoraldegree,whichaffordsthemtheopportunitytoteachandconductresearch." –ChristopherJ.Quarto,Ph.D SpotlightMastersinCounseling Psychology Program EmploymentOpportunitiesforCounselingPsychologistsAreAlsoFoundIn: MentalHealthSettings:Inpsychiatrichospitals,communitymentalhealthcenters,universitycounseling,orinaprivatepractice,counselingpsychologistsprovideservicestoindividualsorfamilieswhoseekrelieffrompsychologicaldisorders,suchasdepression,addiction,bipolardisorder,andschizophrenia. HumanServiceSettings:Acounselingpsychologistthatworksinahumanservicesenvironmentcanprovideassessmentanddiagnosisservicesforindividuals,families,andothergroupsofpeople.Somedevelopinterventionprotocoltoremedyissuesrelatedtotheirspecificjob.Othershelpclientsimprovetheirwellbeing,resolvecrises,andeasestressfulsituationspertainingtophysical,social,emotional,vocational,educational,developmental,andorganizationaldisorders. EducationSettings:Collegesanduniversitiesoftenemploycounselingpsychologiststohelpstudentscopewithpersonalissuesthatmayaffecttheirdailylifeandstudies,suchascomingtotermswiththedeathofalovedoneorfriend;adjustingtocollegelife;andovercominghealthobstacles,suchasaneatingdisorder.Theyalsoassiststudentswhoarepreparingtograduateandentertheworkforce. ResearchSettings:Thosewhoconductresearchrelatedtothefieldoftenseekanswerstoissuesthatcanaffectthesuccessofpsychologicaltreatmentmethods.Topicsmayincludethepsychologicalimpactofexposuretoamajordisaster;ethicsinmentalhealth;andexploringthemesofexperimentalpsychology. "Ifastudentwantstohavemore[job]options,he/sheshouldconsidergoingtograduateschooltoearnaMaster's(incounseling,schoolcounseling,children'scounseling,socialwork,ormarriageandfamily)andthentakinghis/herstatelicensingexam." –StaceyGlaesmann,M.A.  FINDSCHOOLSSponsoredContent WaysforCounselingPsychologiststoIncreaseDesirabilityasaJobCandidate CreatingandupdatingaCurriculumVitae(CV)helpsdemonstrateefforttoapotentialemployerandanindividual'sdesiretodevelopasaprofessionalinthefield.ACVshouldcontaineducationhistory,academicexperience,researchexperience,teachingexperience,posterpresentations,professionalmemberships,invitedtalks,publishedworks,andanyotherrelevantexperience. AttendingcontinuingeducationeventsandpursuingadditionalonlinetrainingareafewwaysthatajobcandidatecanaddexperienceandcredentialstoaCV. Quartoalsosuggestsobtainingvolunteerandpaidworkexperiencerelatedtoaspecificfieldofinterestasawayforjobapplicantstoincreasetheirchancesoflandingapositionthatconcentratesontheirspecificpreferences.Networkingwithprofessionalsatconferencesandstartingacommunityserviceprojectarealsobeneficialtothosewholackpriorjobexperienceinthefield. "Volunteeringwithanorganization,non-profitorresearchstudybegetsexperience,whichisveryvaluableinthementalhealthfield." –StaceyGlaesmann,M.A. Qualitiesthatemployerstypicallylookforinacounselingpsychologistinclude Theabilitytosuccessfullypersuadeotherstochangetheirmindsorbehavior. Aculturallysensitiveprofessional,whoisabletomaintainhealthboundaries. Knowledgeofprinciplesandmethodsrelatedtothediagnosisandtreatmentofphysicalandmentaldysfunction. Demonstratesaneffectivebalancebetweenshowingempathyandholdingclients/patientsaccountablefortheiractions. Establishesandappliespoliciesandproceduresonaconsistentbasis. Upholdsabeliefthatpeoplecan,anddochange. Theabilitytosetanoptimisticyetrealistictoneregardingapatient'sprogress. WaysforaCounselingPsychologisttoIncreaseHis/HerSalary "Oftentimesthesalarywillincreasebyvirtueofworkingforanagencyforaperiodoftime. Salariescanalsoincreasebychangingfromonerole(e.g.,counseloratanagency)toanotherrole(e.g.,supervisoratanagency)." –ChristopherJ.Quarto,Ph.D. Privatepracticeisoneoftheprimarywaysthatacounselingpsychologistcanincreasehisorheryearlyincome.Psychologistsmayestablishapart-timeprivatepractice,optingtoseeclientsoneveningsandweekendsasawaytoearnextramoney.Glaesmannsaysword-of-mouthadvertisementcaneventuallyleadtoapsychologisttransitioningintoafull-timeprivatepracticeenvironment. AccordingtoGlaesmann,anincreasingtrendregardingtoday'scounselingpsychologistsischoosingnottoacceptinsurance(oronlyacceptoneortwooptions),andinstead,concentrateontreatingprivate-payclients.Shesaysthisapproachcanbecomequitelucrative.Byeliminatingdirectcontactwithinsurancecompanies,paperworkandbillingishandledbythepsychologist.Clientsaregivenareceiptforservices,andarethentoldtofileinsuranceclaimsforreimbursementontheirown. Anotherwaytoincreaseasalaryisbyofferingtotakeonmoreresponsibilitywithoutaraiseforaperiodoftime,whichcanprovetoanemployerthataprofessionalisworthyofadvancementwithintheworkplace.Educationalsohelpsprofessionalscommandahighersalary. "AMaster'sisenoughtogetworkinmanyagencies[suchasUnitedWay,ChildProtectiveServices,andwomen'sshelters],teachatcommunitycolleges,andtogointoprivatepractice.APhDisusefulifsomeonewantstoteachatUniversitylevel,dooriginalresearch,providetestingservices(suchasADHDevaluations,IQtests,etc.)orbeabletochargemoreinprivatepractice." –StaceyGlaesmann,M.A. NetworkingOpportunitiesandOrganizations Inadditiontostateandlocalaffiliatesofnationalorganizations,annualconferences(suchastheonesheldbythelikesoftheAmericanCounselingAssociationandAmericanPsychologicalAssociation–APA) providecounselingpsychologistsanexcellentopportunitytonetworkwithothersinthefield.Eventsataconferencemayincludekeynotespeakers,workshops,symposia,postersessions,presentations,CEsessions,aswellashosteddinners,dances,andsilentauctions. Niche-relatedassociationsavailableonthelocal-,regional-,state-,andnationallevelsprovideamoretargetednetworkingopportunityforcounselingpsychologists.Forexample,theAPAhassub-chaptersestablishedineachstate.Associationsandnon-profitsconcentratingonspecificnichesalsohostyear-roundnetworkingevents,includingluncheons,conferences,andseminars. Organizationsthatprovideadditionalnetworkingopportunitiesforcounselingpsychologistsinclude: AcademyofCounselingPsychology AmericanCounselingAssociation AmericanBoardofProfessionalPsychology:CounselingPsychology AmericanAssociationforMarriageandFamilyTherapy SocietyofCounselingPsychology ContinuingEducation(CE)Sources Inadditiontostate-approvedCEprogramsforpsychologists,theAPAalsoprovidescontinuingeducationprogramsgearedtowardscounselingpsychologists.SomeofthewaystoprofessionallydevelopacounselingpsychologycareerisbyearningCEcreditsintopicssuchasPositiveAging:AnInnovativeApproachtoCounselingOlderAdults;QualityofMaster'sEducation:AConcernforCounselingPsychology?;andContextualSchoolCounselingApproach:LinkingContextualPsychotherapywiththeSchoolEnvironment. FINDSCHOOLSSponsoredContent RelatedArticlesEmploymentOutlook&CareerGuidanceforCounselingPsychologistsHowYourReputationImpactsYourCareerinPsychologyTheEmergenceofFashionPsychologyRehabilitationPsychologistsMaximizeOutcomesforIndividualswithCognitiveandPhysicalDisabilitiesTheNeedforSelf-Care100PsychologyTwitterAccountstoFollowFollowingintheFootstepsofthePsychologyExpertsRelatedCareersConsumerPsychologyCareersSocialPsychologyCareersBecomingaHealthPsychologistEducationalPsychologyCareersCareerAsACognitivePsychologist { "@context":"https://schema.org", "@type":"FAQPage", "mainEntity":[{ "@type":"Question", "name":"HowLongDoesItTakeToBeaCounselingPsychologist?", "acceptedAnswer":{ "@type":"Answer", "text":"Howlongittakestobecomeacounselingpsychologistdependsonthetypeofworkyouwouldliketodo.Thoseinterestedincounselingpsychologycareerswillusuallystartbyearningafour-yearbachelor’sdegreeinpsychology.Advanceddegreesareusuallynecessary.Severaluniversitiesoffermaster'sandDoctoraldegreesincounselingpsychology." } },{ "@type":"Question", "name":"IsItHardToBecomeaCounselingPsychologist?", "acceptedAnswer":{ "@type":"Answer", "text":"Peoplewonderifit’shardtobecomeacounselingpsychologistandtheanswerdependsonhowmuchschoolingyouwanttopursue.Generally,youwillneedatleastfouryearsofundergradstudyaswellastwotoeightyearsofgraduateschooling.Thoseinterestedincounselingpsychologycareerswillusuallystartbyearningafour-yearbachelor'sdegreeinpsychology.Advanceddegreesareusuallynecessary." } },{ "@type":"Question", "name":"IsCounselingPsychologyaGoodCareer?", "acceptedAnswer":{ "@type":"Answer", "text":"Anycareermoveisapersonaldecisionanddependsonbothyourexperienceandnaturalpersonalityandinterests.However,acareerincounselingpsychologyisgoodforpeoplewhocareaboutothersandwanttohelpthemsolvetheproblemstheyarefacing." } }] } Writtenbycareersinpsychology Viewallpostsby:careersinpsychology FINDSCHOOLS1DegreeCompletedHighSchoolDiploma/GEDSomeCollegeAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorateDegree2DesiredDegreeDiploma/CertificateAssociateDegreeBachelor'sDegreeMaster'sDegreeDoctorate3ProgramofInterestAllPsychology&CounselingProgramsAppliedBehaviorAnalysisChild/AdolescentPsychologyClinicalPsychologyCounselingPsychologyDevelopmentalPsychologyForensic/CriminalPsychologyHumanServicesIndustrial/OrganizationalPsychologyMarriageandFamilyTherapyMentalHealthCounselingOccupationalTherapySchoolCounselingSocialWorkSpeechPathologySubstanceAbuse/AddictionCounseling4GO!SponsoredContent ResearchPsychologyPrograms Bachelor'sPrograms Master'sPrograms DoctoralPrograms OnlinePsychologyDegrees PsychologyDegreePath Licensing&CertificationInformation PsychologistLicensingbyState CounselorLicensingbyState SocialWorkerLicensingbyState TherapistLicensingbyState