What is a Counseling Psychologist?
Occupation Description Assess and evaluate individuals' problems through the use of case history, interview, and observation and provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.
Life As a Counseling Psychologist: What Do They Do?
- Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.
- Refer clients to specialists or to other institutions for noncounseling treatment of problems.
- Supervise interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors.
- Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
- Analyze data, such as interview notes, test results, or reference manuals, to identify symptoms or to diagnose the nature of clients' problems.
- Provide consulting services, including educational programs, outreach programs, or prevention talks to schools, social service agencies, businesses, or the general public.
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Qualities of a Counseling Psychologist
When polled, Counseling Psychologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Staff Psychologist and Assessment Coordinator
- Counseling Specialist
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- University Counselor
- Behavioral Specialist
Counseling Psychologist Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 147,500 jobs for Counseling Psychologist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 21,000 new jobs for Counseling Psychologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Counseling Psychologist are Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Counseling Psychologist Salary
The typical yearly salary for Counseling Psychologists is somewhere between $44,040 and $129,310.
Counseling Psychologists who work in California, Oregon, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Counseling Psychologists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $69,070 |
| Alaska | $91,450 |
| Arizona | $66,040 |
| Arkansas | $69,000 |
| California | $108,350 |
| Colorado | $85,470 |
| Connecticut | $90,870 |
| Delaware | $78,850 |
| District of Columbia | $95,500 |
| Florida | $76,190 |
| Georgia | $89,190 |
| Hawaii | $94,550 |
| Idaho | $64,270 |
| Illinois | $75,180 |
| Indiana | $73,350 |
| Iowa | $85,260 |
| Kansas | $65,320 |
| Kentucky | $64,330 |
| Louisiana | $86,630 |
| Maine | $75,620 |
| Maryland | $79,820 |
| Massachusetts | $86,490 |
| Michigan | $83,210 |
| Minnesota | $85,860 |
| Mississippi | $67,570 |
| Missouri | $76,480 |
| Montana | $63,720 |
| Nebraska | $66,510 |
| Nevada | $83,760 |
| New Hampshire | $84,270 |
| New Jersey | $98,470 |
| New Mexico | $73,600 |
| New York | $94,140 |
| North Carolina | $77,470 |
| North Dakota | $87,090 |
| Ohio | $75,710 |
| Oklahoma | $60,760 |
| Oregon | $103,870 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,610 |
| Rhode Island | $83,030 |
| South Carolina | $63,050 |
| South Dakota | $73,900 |
| Tennessee | $69,510 |
| Texas | $73,650 |
| Utah | $80,920 |
| Vermont | $77,670 |
| Virginia | $80,380 |
| Washington | $73,840 |
| West Virginia | $59,200 |
| Wisconsin | $83,420 |
| Wyoming | $78,360 |
What Tools & Technology do Counseling Psychologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Counseling Psychologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Spreadsheet software
- Google Docs
- Statistical software
- Google Sheets
- Athena Software Penelope Case Management
- ICANotes
- Testing software
- Blueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record Keeper
- Noldus Information Technology The Observer
- O*NET OnLine
- Anasazi Software Client Data System
- SpectraSoft AppointmentsPRO
- TheraManager
- DocuTrac QuicDoc
- Mdansby The PsychReport
How to Become a Counseling Psychologist
What education or degrees do I need to become a Counseling Psychologist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counseling Psychologist?
Counseling Psychologists Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Counseling Psychologist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: BruceBlaus via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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