Occupation · SOC 19-3033
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
971 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningService OrientationMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingLearning StrategiesPersuasionCoordinationTime ManagementInstructingNegotiationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesScienceMathematicsOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Therapy and CounselingPsychologyEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceSociology and AnthropologyLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyComputers and ElectronicsBiologyCommunications and MediaPublic Safety and SecurityPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematicsTelecommunicationsEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyChemistryGeographyFine ArtsProduction and ProcessingTransportationEngineering and TechnologyDesignPhysicsMechanicalFood ProductionBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Addison Health Systems WritePad EHRAnasazi Software Client Data SystemAthena Software Penelope Case ManagementB Sharp Technologies B CareBRB Software HorizonMISBlackHawk Canyon Publishers PracticianWorksBlueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record KeeperBluewater Management Systems BMCASEClinivate ClinitrakComprehensive Affect Testing System CATSCore Solutions Care EnterpriseDocuTrac QuicDocFagerman Technologies MedLookGoogle DocsGoogle MeetGoogle SheetsHealth Care Software HCS INTERACTANTHealthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSICANotesJTL Enterprises MedIntakeMICA Information Systems MICA-MED Practice ManagerMPMsoft billingMS*Health Software/CMHCMdansby The PsychReportMedEZ behavioral healthcare and substance abuse softwareMedical Outcome Systems eMINI Software SuiteMedicine Rules PowerSEAT 360Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft TeamsMicrosoft WordMy Clients PlusNeuro Innovations Therapist's ToolkitNeurobehavioral Systems PresentationNoldus Information Technology The Observer XTO*NET OnLineOffice Management Systems Mental Health Office All-in-OnePolaris Health Directions Polaris-MH
Representative tasks
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsAssisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with ComputersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping and Building TeamsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Standard intakes and biopsychosocial assessments — conduct under licensed supervision in a community-mental-health clinic.Risk assessment (suicide, self-harm, abuse) — perform per the agency's safety protocol on every relevant encounter.Evidence-based psychotherapy manuals (CBT, IPT) — deliver to fidelity on routine adult cases.Psychological test administration (WAIS, PHQ-9, GAD-7) — administer and score per published manuals.Clinical documentation in the EHR — maintain to agency and payer standards.HIPAA and informed-consent practice — apply consistently across patient encounters.Treatment-planning collaboration with a clinical supervisor — contribute concrete goals and measures.Crisis-line and after-hours coverage — staff per agency rotation with appropriate consultation.Routine consultation with prescribers, schools, and families — conduct with consent and clear scope.Routine supervision sessions — prepare for with cases, recordings, and reflective questions.
developing
Independent caseload of routine outpatient cases — manage with supervisor consultation on complex situations.Targeted evidence-based protocols (PE, CPT, DBT skills, EMDR) — deliver to fidelity on indicated cases.Psychological testing batteries (cognitive, personality, neuropsych screen) — administer, score, and interpret.Integrated reports for schools, courts, or workers' comp — author independently with appropriate caveats.Group therapy protocols — facilitate routinely (DBT skills, anxiety, substance use).Trainees and practicum students — supervise on clinical fundamentals under a licensed supervisor.Couples and family interventions in routine contexts — deliver evidence-based models.Outcomes monitoring (PHQ-9, BDI, ORS) — use to inform treatment decisions in each case.Consultation with PCPs, schools, and case managers — lead with concrete recommendations.Ethics and licensure scope — maintain across jurisdictions and payer environments.
proficient
Complex and high-risk caseloads — manage independently across diagnostic complexity (PTSD, severe mood, dissociation).Specialty programs (trauma clinic, eating disorder, OCD, perinatal) — deliver with mastery of the relevant protocols.Clinical supervision and consultation — provide to postdocs and licensed colleagues across complex cases.Program development and protocol fidelity — lead within a clinic or department.Forensic and disability evaluations — conduct independently with defensible methodology.Research and program evaluation — lead small to mid-size studies in the practice setting.Insurance audits and quality reviews — lead with documentation and outcomes data.Teaching and training contributions to graduate programs — maintain regularly.Cross-disciplinary teams (medicine, social work, education) — lead on complex care plans.Professional ethics and peer consultation — model and contribute through formal channels.
advanced
Clinical leadership of a department, program, or large practice — set direction across staff, training, and outcomes.Statewide or national program design — lead in collaboration with payers, agencies, and academia.Doctoral training pipelines — design and direct with APA-style accreditation requirements.Externally funded research on intervention science — lead as principal investigator across institutions.Public-mental-health policy — advise legislators, agencies, and trustees with evidence.Disciplinary norms (APA, licensure boards, ethics committees) — advance through formal leadership.Major awards, named lectureships, and editorial roles — hold consistent with sustained field shaping.Crisis-response programs and mass-casualty mental-health planning — lead at jurisdictional scale.Workforce development and supervision standards — institutionalize through training systems.Cross-disciplinary policy (justice, education, healthcare) — catalyze with evidence and coalitions.
Also known as
55 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Applied Behavior Science Specialist (ABSS)Assessment CoordinatorBehavior AnalystBehavior SpecialistBehavior TherapistBehavioral AnalystBehavioral Health SpecialistBehavioral PsychologistBehavioral SpecialistBehavioral TherapistCase ManagerChemical Dependency TherapistChild and Adolescent TherapistChild Custody EvaluatorClinical Child PsychologistClinical CounselorClinical PsychologistCounseling PsychologistCounseling Service PsychologistCounseling SpecialistCounselorCriminal ProfilerCriminal PsychologistDevelopmental PsychologistEating Disorder PsychologistEating Disorder SpecialistEducational PsychologistElder CounselorExperimental PsychologistFamily PsychologistGeropsychologistGroup CounselorHealth PsychologistHealthcare Science SpecialistLicensed Clinical PsychologistLicensed PsychologistLPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)Mental Health ClinicianMental Health ProfessionalMental Health Unit Psychologist