Careers as Counseling Psychologists
Counseling psychologists assess peoples’ problems by doing interviews, observing, analyzing case histories and leading counseling sessions. They help people be more successful in the educational, personal, social and vocational areas of their lives.
Counseling psychologists assist people as they cope with problems in their homes, communities or work places. Their main goal is to improve their clients’ quality of life. They also do preventative work to curb social, physical and mental disorders.
As a counseling psychologist, you will most likely be employed by a rehabilitation center, university counseling center, crisis counseling center, individual or group practice or a hospital.
People with this career sometimes have a title like counseling services director, chemical dependency therapist, therapist, clinical counselor, applied behavior science specialist or college counselor.
Counseling psychologists inform clients on how counseling could benefit them, create treatment plans, offer counseling, help people set goals and make plans to reach them, interpret interview notes and help clients find specialists who can meet their needs.
They also observe how people are responding to treatments and consult with other professionals about treatments, resources, therapies, information and techniques.
People who make successful counseling psychologists are usually good communicators, listeners, monitors, critical thinkers, reasoners, writers and learners. They are also sensitive to problems and social issues.
To make it big as a counseling psychologist you will need a master’s degree, Ph.D., M.D. or even a J.D. so you will have an understanding of therapy and counseling, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, theology, psychology, education and many other subjects. Check out the programs being offered in many locations.
Job opportunities for counseling psychologists are expected to increase. The average hourly wage for people with this job is about $30 and the average annual income is about $64,000.