CFChooseField
Science

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Median pay

$95,830
Median annual pay for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

11.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

4,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

76,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+8,500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical additional preparation: Internship/residency.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Writing
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Psychology
  2. 2Therapy and Counseling
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Sociology and Anthropology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Written Comprehension
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Problem Sensitivity
  5. 5Written Expression
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Empathy
  2. 2Sincerity
  3. 3Integrity
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Cooperation
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Assisting and Caring for Others
  4. 4Documenting/Recording Information
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Spend Time Sitting
  3. 3Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  4. 4E-Mail
  5. 5Freedom to Make Decisions
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.

Software and tools

Zoom · in demandMicrosoft Teams · in demandGoogle Meet · in demandMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyGoogle Sheets · hot technologyGoogle Docs · hot technologyeClinicalWorks EHR software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyDocuTrac QuicDoc

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.