Education:
43%
Doctoral Degree
34%
Post-Doctoral Training
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
This is a sub-career of
Psychologist
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Select a specialized sub-career for more details.
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Job Outlook:
Faster than average
Education:
Doctoral or professional degree
Salary
High:
$168,790.00
Average:
$102,740.00
Hourly
Average:
$49.40
What they do:
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
On the job, you would:
- Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Psychologists must examine the information they collect and draw logical conclusions.
Communication skills. Psychologists must have strong communication skills because they spend much of their time listening to and speaking with patients or describing their research.
Integrity. Psychologists must keep patients’ problems in confidence, and patients must be able to trust psychologists’ expertise in treating sensitive problems.
Interpersonal skills. Psychologists study and help individuals, so they must be able to work well with clients, patients, and other professionals.
Observational skills. Psychologists study attitude and behavior. They must understand the possible meanings of facial expressions, body positions, actions, and interactions.
Patience. Psychologists must demonstrate patience, because conducting research or treating patients may take a long time.
Problem-solving skills. Psychologists need problem-solving skills to collect information, design research, evaluate programs, and find treatments or solutions to mental and behavioral problems.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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98% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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96% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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94% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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93% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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93% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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91% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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85% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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82% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. | |
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80% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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80% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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79% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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77% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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73% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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71% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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66% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
89% | Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. | |
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86% | Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities. | |
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61% | Artistic - Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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97% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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83% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
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81% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
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79% | Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
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72% | Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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91% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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88% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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85% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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85% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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81% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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78% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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75% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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75% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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75% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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72% | Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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71% | Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
Record research or operational data.
Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
Diagnose neural or psychological disorders.
Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Advise others on healthcare matters.
Collect archival data.
Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or educational programs.
Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.
Administer standardized physical or psychological tests.
Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
Direct medical science or healthcare programs.
Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
Advise others on healthcare matters.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
Advise others on educational matters.
Counsel clients on mental health or personal achievement.
Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
Supervise trainees.
Develop educational programs.
Advise others on healthcare matters.
Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
Plan social sciences research.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Direct medical science or healthcare programs.
Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
Write reports or evaluations.
Train staff members.
Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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94% | Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting? | |
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94% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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92% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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91% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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89% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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89% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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85% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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79% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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75% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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71% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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71% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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69% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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69% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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68% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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66% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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98% | Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. | |
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91% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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91% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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89% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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85% | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. | |
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83% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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82% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. | |
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81% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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80% | Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. | |
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77% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. | |
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75% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. | |
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69% | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. | |
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69% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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68% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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68% | Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. | |
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67% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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66% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
What Psychologists Do
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological research and methods to workplace issues.
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Duties
Psychologists typically do the following:
- Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
- Observe, interview, and survey individuals
- Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
- Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
- Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
- Discuss the treatment of problems with clients
- Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others
- Supervise interns, clinicians, and counseling professionals
Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior. They use techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence individuals.
Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy. They also may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and they use this information when testing theories in their research or when treating patients.
The following are examples of types of psychologists:
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists help people deal with problems ranging from short-term personal issues to severe, chronic conditions.
Clinical psychologists are trained to use a variety of approaches to help individuals. Although strategies generally differ by specialty, clinical psychologists often interview patients, give diagnostic tests, and provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy. They also design behavior modification programs and help patients implement their particular program. Some clinical psychologists focus on specific populations, such as children or the elderly, or on certain specialties, such as neuropsychology.
Clinical psychologists often consult with other health professionals regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medication. Currently, only Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication to patients.
Counseling psychologists help patients deal with and understand problems, including issues at home, at the workplace, or in their community. Through counseling, these psychologists work with patients to identify their strengths or resources they can use to manage problems. For information on other counseling occupations, see the profiles on marriage and family therapists, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and social workers.
Developmental psychologists study the psychological progress and development that take place throughout life. Many developmental psychologists focus on children and adolescents, but they also may study aging and problems facing older adults.
Forensic psychologists use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judges, attorneys, and other legal specialists understand the psychological aspects of a particular case. They often testify in court as expert witnesses. They typically specialize in family, civil, or criminal casework.
Industrial–organizational psychologists apply psychology to the workplace by using psychological principles and research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of worklife. They study issues such as workplace productivity, management or employee working styles, and employee morale. They also help top executives, training and development managers, and training and development specialists with policy planning, employee screening or training, and organizational development.
Rehabilitation psychologists work with physically or developmentally disabled individuals. They help improve quality of life or help individuals adjust after a major illness or accident. They may work with physical therapists and teachers to improve health and learning outcomes.
School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education disorders and developmental disorders. They may address student learning and behavioral problems; design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performances; and counsel students and families. They also may consult with other school-based professionals to suggest improvements to teaching, learning, and administrative strategies.
Some psychologists become postsecondary teachers or high school teachers.
Work Environment
Psychologists held about 196,000 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up psychologists was distributed as follows:
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | 67,500 |
| School psychologists | 62,200 |
| Psychologists, all other | 56,300 |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | 10,100 |
The largest employers of psychologists were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 28% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 27 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 21 |
| Government | 8 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 4 |
Some psychologists work alone, doing independent research, consulting with clients, or counseling patients. Others work as part of a healthcare team, collaborating with physicians, social workers, and others to treat illness and promote overall wellness.
Work Schedules
Psychologists in private practice often set their own hours, and many work part time as independent consultants. They may work evenings or weekends to accommodate clients. Those employed in hospitals or other healthcare facilities may also have evening or weekend shifts. Most psychologists in clinics, government, industry, or schools work full-time schedules during regular business hours.
Getting Started
How to Become a Psychologist
In most states, practicing psychology or using the title of “psychologist” requires licensure.
Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license.
Education
Most clinical, counseling, and research psychologists need a doctoral degree. Students can complete a Ph.D. in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. A Ph.D. in psychology is a research degree that is obtained after taking a comprehensive exam and writing a dissertation based on original research. Ph.D. programs typically include courses on statistics and experimental procedures. The Psy.D. is a clinical degree often based on practical work and examinations rather than a dissertation. In clinical, counseling, school, or health service settings, students usually complete a 1-year internship as part of the doctoral program.
School psychologists need an advanced degree and either certification or licensure to work. Common advanced degrees include education specialist degrees (Ed.S.) and doctoral degrees (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). School psychologist programs include coursework in education and psychology because their work addresses both education and mental health components of students’ development.
Industrial–organizational psychologists typically need a master’s degree, usually including courses in industrial–organizational psychology, statistics, and research design.
When working under the supervision of a doctoral psychologist, other master’s degree graduates can also work as psychological assistants in clinical, counseling, or research settings.
At the bachelor's degree level, common fields of degree include psychology, education, and social science.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
In most states, practicing psychology or using the title “psychologist” requires licensure. In all states and the District of Columbia, psychologists who practice independently must be licensed where they work.
Licensing laws vary by state and by type of position. Most clinical and counseling psychologists need a doctorate in psychology, an internship, and at least 1 to 2 years of supervised professional experience. They also must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Information on specific state requirements can be obtained from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. In many states, licensed psychologists must complete continuing education courses to keep their licenses.
The American Board of Professional Psychology awards specialty certification in 15 areas of psychology, such as clinical health psychology, couple and family psychology, and rehabilitation psychology. The American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology offers certification in neuropsychology. Board certification can demonstrate professional expertise in a specialty area. Certification is not required for most psychologists, but some hospitals and clinics do require certification. In those cases, candidates must have a doctoral degree in psychology, a state license or certification, and any additional criteria required by the specialty field.
Training
Most prospective psychologists must have pre- or postdoctoral supervised experience, including an internship. Internships allow students to gain experience in an applied setting. Candidates must complete an internship before they can qualify for state licensure. The required number of hours of the internship varies by state.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 12,800 openings for psychologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Employment of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists is projected to grow due to demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, mental health centers, and social service agencies.
Demand for clinical and counseling psychologists will increase as more people turn to psychologists for help with their problems.
Employment of school psychologists will continue to grow because of an increased awareness of the connection between mental health and learning. These workers also will be needed to help students whose educational, behavioral, or developmental issues impact their ability to learn.
Organizations will continue to employ industrial–organizational psychologists to help with tasks such as selecting and retaining employees, implementing trainings, and improving office morale.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about careers in all fields of psychology, visit
American Psychological Association
For more information about careers for school psychologists, visit
National Association of School Psychologists
For more information about state licensing requirements, visit
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
For more information about psychology specialty certifications, visit
American Board of Professional Psychology
For more information about industrial–organizational psychologists, visit
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
For more information about careers and certification in neuropsychology, visit
American Board of Professional Neuropsychology
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
School psychologists (PDF)
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of psychologists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Market Research Analysts |
Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service. |
Bachelor's degree | $68,230 |
|
Marriage and Family Therapists |
Marriage and family therapists help people manage and overcome problems with family and other relationships. |
Master's degree | $56,570 |
|
Physicians and Surgeons |
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Doctoral or professional degree | $229,300 |
|
Postsecondary Teachers |
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. |
See How to Become One | $80,840 |
|
School and Career Counselors and Advisors |
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment. |
Master's degree | $60,140 |
|
Social Workers |
Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. |
See How to Become One | $55,350 |
|
Sociologists |
Sociologists study society and social behavior. |
Master's degree | $98,590 |
|
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression. |
Bachelor's degree | $49,710 |
|
Survey Researchers |
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Master's degree | $60,410 |
|
Training and Development Specialists |
Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees. |
Bachelor's degree | $63,080 |