Counseling Psychology Programs

Counseling psychology is a branch of psychology which focuses on facilitating normal development of individuals and supporting mental health for everyday functioning. Today’s fast-moving life requires individuals to balance a broad range of responsibilities related to work, family, etc. Often, these situations become stressful, and can leave one mentally and emotionally depleted. Counseling psychology aims at preventing, diagnosing, and treating problems related to inter-personal functioning through therapeutic measures.

1. What is a Counseling Psychologist?
2. How to Become a Counseling Psychologist?
3. Counseling Psychology Graduate Programs
4. Counseling Psychology PhD Programs
5. Licensing and Certification
6. What Does a Counseling Psychologist Do?
7. How Much Do Counseling Psychologists Make?
8. Where do Counseling Psychologists Work?

What is a Counseling Psychologist?

A counseling psychologist is a trained professional who advises individuals and families on how to manage and deal with various issues that are causing stress. These issues can be related to work and personal relationships. Following are the main job responsibilities of a counseling psychologist:

• Administering and interpreting psychological tests to assess and diagnose problems among patients
• Discussing different therapeutic counseling techniques with patients and advising them
• Providing counseling services to patients/clients
• Referring clients to other specialists for non-counseling treatment plans
• Conducting research to develop improved diagnostic techniques

How to Become a Counseling Psychologist?

To become a counseling psychologist, certain educational and training requirements must be met. These may vary from state to state. Listed below are the general steps that may lead to a career as a counseling psychologist:

• Complete a counseling psychology degree at graduate and post-graduate level
• Acquire a minimum hours of supervised practice
• Pass the licensing examination in your state

Counseling Psychology Graduate Programs

Education and training is an important requirement for this field. Without a degree in counseling psychology, you cannot practice as a professional.  A number of schools are offering APA accredited counseling psychology programs at masters level. This program is designed to help students acquire expert knowledge of counseling psychology and develop skills necessary to succeed in the field.
The program will cover scientifically-based psychological theories and concepts. Students will learn how to apply counseling theories and research interventions, and assess clients with the help of psychological testing and communication. The curriculum of a masters degree in counseling psychology may vary a little from college to college. Students will be required to cover a number of theory-based courses and field-training, and earn the required number of credit hours. It is important to remember that not all masters degree entail a thesis; there are many non-thesis masters programs available as well. Here are a few of the subjects students are most likely to encounter in the program:

• Testing and assessment
• Counseling diagnosis
• Research methods
• Counseling skills and procedures
• Lifespan development
• Counseling theories
• Group counseling

Counseling Psychology PhD Programs

This is a post-doctorate degree aimed at providing students with training and advanced education needed for entry-level practice. The program will enable students to learn about diverse clinical settings and how to conduct, conceptualize, and evaluate research findings. Here are the main goals of the program:

• Understand the role of professional psychologists and job responsibilities that fall within its context
• Understand the application of scientific-based clinical practice and psychotherapy
• Build strong research skills and analytical skills
• Demonstrate ethical practice and an understanding of moral boundaries
• Respond appropriately to individual differences and diversity in the practice field
• Understand ethics that govern therapeutic relationship within the workplace environment

The coursework is advanced in nature and may differ from college to college. It can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete the program. The duration will depend upon the pace of the student and chosen course of study.
During the first few years, students will be required to cover a range of fundamental and advanced courses. Most of the courses are covered in a classroom environment. These may include topics such as:

• Social psychology
• Cognitive and affective bases of behavior
• History and systems of psychology
• Personality and cognitive development
• Advanced clinical interventions

During the final phase of the program, students can choose from a range of electives and specializations such as the psychotherapy, multicultural counseling, family counseling, etc. The specialization chosen must reflect the student’s interest area and career goals. Students must acquire in-depth knowledge of latest advancements within the field. They can get information from a number of external resources such as the Journal of Counseling Psychology which is published by the American Psychological Association. Apart from this, students must also conduct a research thesis and generate a dissertation. Completing the thesis is crucial and will allow students to practically apply skills and knowledge learned throughout the program.

Licensing and Certification

In most states, a license is required to clinically practice as a counseling psychologist. The requirements for licensing may vary from state to state. There are a number of professional organizations that offer certification in counseling psychology. Acquiring a credential or certification may not be mandatory, but can help improve career prospects. The American Board of Professional Psychology and the National Board for Certified Counselors are the leading credentialing organizations.

What Does a Counseling Psychologist Do?

These professionals work with patients and help them seek treatment for a range of mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. Their job duties will typically include assessing patients and determining core problems. Counseling psychologists may use a variety of tests to diagnose problems related to anxiety, depression, addiction, stress, etc.
Apart from diagnosis, counseling psychologists can also seek suitable treatments for patients. They aim at helping patients overcome difficulties and problems through counseling and therapy. It is important to remember, in most states, a counseling psychologist is not authorized to prescribe medication.

How Much Do Counseling Psychologists Make?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, counseling psychologists made a median annual income of $67,760 in 2013. A counseling psychologist salary will vary by state and can also be influenced by factors such as specialization, employer organization, skill, and certification.

Where do Counseling Psychologists Work?

Counseling psychologist can work in a different range of settings depending upon their specialization. For example, school counseling psychologists will most likely work in educational institutes whereas a family counseling psychologist can be found working in a healthcare facility. Most counseling psychologists are employed in health practitioner offices.