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Counseling Psychologist

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All About Counseling Psychologists

Counseling Psychologist Job 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.

What Do Counseling Psychologists Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Refer clients to specialists or to other institutions for noncounseling treatment of problems.
  • Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
  • Consult with other professionals, agencies, or universities to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources or techniques, and to share occupational information.
  • Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients’ interests, abilities, or needs.
  • Conduct research to develop or improve diagnostic or therapeutic counseling techniques.
  • Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.

Counseling Psychologist Skills

These are the skills Counseling Psychologists say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Healthcare Science Specialist
  • Group Counselor
  • Chemical Dependency Therapist
  • College Counselor
  • Family Psychologist

Job Opportunities for Counseling Psychologists

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.

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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.

Salary for a Counseling Psychologist

The average yearly salary of a Counseling Psychologist ranges between $44,040 and $129,310.

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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 do Counseling Psychologists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Counseling Psychologists:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Google Docs
  • Statistical software
  • Google Sheets
  • Testing software
  • Athena Software Penelope Case Management
  • ICANotes
  • SpectraSoft AppointmentsPRO
  • O*NET OnLine
  • Noldus Information Technology The Observer
  • Anasazi Software Client Data System
  • Blueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record Keeper
  • DocuTrac QuicDoc
  • Mdansby The PsychReport
  • TheraManager

How do I Become a Counseling Psychologist?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Counseling Psychologist?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Counseling Psychologists Are Employed

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Counseling Psychologists work in the following industries:

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Counseling Psychologist might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: BruceBlaus via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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