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 PerceptivenessActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingActive LearningMonitoring
Knowledge areas
PsychologyTherapy and CounselingEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Medical softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareWord processing softwareVideo conferencing softwareSpreadsheet software
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.Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.Maintain current knowledge of relevant research.Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.Consult reference material, such as textbooks, manuals, or journals, to identify symptoms, make diagnoses, or develop approaches to treatment.Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests to obtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, or personalities.Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care.Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.Direct, coordinate, and evaluate activities of staff and interns engaged in patient assessment and treatment.Supervise and train interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors.Refer clients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.Consult with other professionals, agencies, or universities to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources or techniques, and to share occupational information.Develop, direct, and participate in training programs for staff and students.Plan and develop accredited psychological service programs in psychiatric centers or hospitals, in collaboration with psychiatrists and other professional staff.Provide consulting services, including educational programs, outreach programs, or prevention talks to schools, social service agencies, businesses, or the general public.Provide occupational, educational, or other information to individuals so that they can make educational or vocational plans.Conduct research to develop or improve diagnostic or therapeutic counseling techniques.Prepare written evaluations of individuals' psychological competence for court hearings.Observe individuals at play, in group interactions, or in other contexts to detect indications of cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.Plan, supervise, and conduct psychological research and write papers describing research results.Provide psychological or administrative services and advice to private firms or community agencies regarding mental health programs or individual cases.
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
146 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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