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Counseling Psychologist

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What Do Counseling Psychologist Do?

Counseling Psychologist Example 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.

List of Counseling Psychologist Job Duties

  • Supervise interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors.
  • Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
  • Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients’ interests, abilities, or needs.
  • Select, administer, and interpret psychological tests to assess intelligence, aptitudes, abilities, or interests.
  • Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
  • Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as 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.

Other Counseling Psychologist Job Titles

  • Staff Psychologist
  • Behavioral Analyst
  • Counseling Services Director
  • Psychotherapist
  • Sexual Assault Counselor

Counseling Psychologist Job Outlook

There were about 147,500 jobs for Counseling Psychologist in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

Average Counseling Psychologists Salary

Counseling Psychologists make between $44,040 and $129,310 a year.

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Counseling Psychologists who work in California, Oregon, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

How much do Counseling Psychologists make 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

Tools & Technologies Used by Counseling Psychologists

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
  • 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

Becoming a Counseling Psychologist

Education needed to be a Counseling Psychologist:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Counseling Psychologist?

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Where do Counseling Psychologists Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Counseling Psychologists employed by various industries.

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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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