Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
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.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists earn a median of $48.36/hr — about $100,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $26.53/hr; the top 10% earn $87.00/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
- Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
- Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
- Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
- Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
- 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.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
The feel of the work
It rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 2.4% of clinical and counseling psychologists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and organized and detail-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
- Biological Scientists, All Other
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- School Psychologists
- Chemists
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Quick questions
- How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make?
- The median pay is $48.36 per hour — roughly $100,500 a year, with the real range running from about $26.53/hr (10th percentile) to $87.00/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a clinical and counseling psychologist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Doctoral degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a clinical and counseling psychologist actually do all day?
- Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others. Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans. Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
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