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.
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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.

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.

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:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Counseling Psychologist?

Where do Counseling Psychologists Work?

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

Related Careers
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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