What is the primary difference between clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists

1. Finding a job
2. Differences in Clinical vs. Counseling Psychology

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated March 31, 2022 | Published June 15, 2021

Updated March 31, 2022

Published June 15, 2021

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Working in the psychology field can be a rewarding career for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. There are many specialties in psychology that may overlap or seem similar, such as clinical and counseling psychology. Understanding the similarities and differences between these two types of psychologists may help you decide which career option is right for you. In this article, we define clinical and counseling psychology and explore the key differences between these two specialties to help you choose which is the best fit for your needs and skills.

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What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology describes a specialty within psychology that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. A clinical psychologist uses the science of psychology to assess their patients and implement treatment programs to help them manage and improve their mental health. These psychologists often work with patients who have serious or complex mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, or developmental conditions like autism and ADHD.

What is counseling psychology?

Counseling psychology is a specialized area that focuses on helping individuals overcome everyday challenges by identifying their strengths and improving their coping skills. Like clinical psychologists, a counseling psychologist may also work with patients with diagnosable mental health conditions, though they are often less severe cases than those treated by clinical psychologists. These psychologists also work with clients without diagnosable mental health conditions. They help clients improve their overall functioning and well-being by helping them increase their interpersonal, vocational and stress management skills. A counseling psychologist may also help clients with their career and educational development.

Related: 6 Mental Health Jobs and Ways To Succeed in the Field

Clinical vs. counseling psychology

Though clinical and counseling psychology overlap in many ways, they also differ in several key areas. Here is an outline of the core similarities and differences between these disciplines:

Place of employment

Both clinical and counseling psychologists commonly work in private practices. Some private practices may even employ both clinical and counseling psychologists. They may both also work in community mental health centers, substance abuse clinics, family centers and academic institutions as instructors and researchers. However, clinical psychologists are more likely to work in a hospital or in-patient setting than counseling psychologists. Conversely, counseling psychologists are more likely to work in a college counseling center.

Population served

While clinical and counseling psychologists both work to improve the overall functioning of their clients, clinical psychologists typically work with more severe clinical populations than counseling psychologists. Clinical psychologists may also work with more specialized populations, such as children or people with a particular kind of mental health disorder like personality or eating disorders. The population treated by counseling psychologists tends to be more general, and they often focus on populations with less severe mental health symptoms like college students.

Research area

Many psychologists across all disciplines participate in research in addition to their work as practitioners. However, the research specialties often differ between clinical and counseling psychologists. Here are some research areas that clinical psychologists may specialize in:

• Psychopathology, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention

• Child mental health

• Learning disabilities

• Geriatric mental health

• Health psychology

Some research areas that counseling psychologists may specialize in include:

• Cross-cultural and multicultural assessment and counselor training

• Women and mental health

• Counseling interventions for at-risk youth

• Relationship coaching

• Community mental health interventions

Theoretical foundation

Though both branches often overlap in the theoretical frameworks they use in their practices, they may emphasize different theoretical foundations. For example, counseling psychologists may use a more client-centered or multicultural approach to their work. Clinical psychologists may apply a more medical, behavioral or psychoanalytical perspective in their practice.

Practice

Clinical and counseling psychologists focus on different areas of practice. A counseling psychologist helps clients improve their personal, interpersonal and vocational functioning across the life span. They help their clients learn coping skills to navigate major life changes, process grief, improve self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills and manage stress. Clinical psychologists work from a more healthcare-oriented perspective. They assess and treat psychological and behavioral health conditions using psychoanalytic and behavioral interventions.

However, in an academic setting, clinical and counseling psychologists may perform similar responsibilities. They may supervise and instruct students, conduct research, prepare and deliver lectures and present at conferences.

Educational requirements

There are similar educational requirements for clinical and counseling psychologists. Most psychologist careers require practitioners to earn a graduate-level degree such as a master's or doctoral degree. To become a clinical or counseling psychologist, practitioners must earn at least a master's degree and gain the necessary licensure to practice in their state. However, these degree programs may differ in their specialties and their coursework requirements.

A clinical psychology degree program may focus on coursework in psychopathology, developmental psychology and psychological assessment. A counseling psychologist program may place more focus on coursework in vocational psychology, human lifespan development and personality.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About How To Become a Therapist

How to choose between a career as a clinical or counseling psychologist

Here are some steps to help you choose between a clinical or counseling psychologist career:

1. Consider your area of professional interest

Since clinical and counseling psychologists provide different services to different populations, it is important to consider what style of counseling you're most interested in and what population you wish to serve. The populations served by clinical psychologists may have different needs from those served by counseling psychologists. Clinical psychologists may also have more opportunities to specialize in treating a particular clinical population or disorder. For example, as a clinical psychologist, you might have more access to training and working with children than a counseling psychologist.

If you are unsure what population you wish to work with, you might consider volunteering in a variety of mental health settings to gain experience working with different kinds of counselors and clinical groups. For example, you might find volunteer opportunities at:

• Hospitals

• Community health clinics

• Crisis intervention call centers

• Youth intervention programs

Volunteering can be a great way to gain practical experience in the field while meeting industry professionals, learning about the different specializations in psychology and helping people within your community.

Related: Career Paths: Definition and How To Choose One in 9 Steps

2. Think about your preferred work environment

While clinical and counseling psychologists sometimes work in similar facilities, specializing in one or the other may lead to opportunities in different work settings. For example, clinical psychologists are more likely to work in an inpatient or hospital setting, so you may prefer a career as a clinical psychologist if you are interested in working in one of these institutions.

Before choosing a program, think about your work habits and preferences. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced setting, you may prefer a career as a clinical psychologist in a hospital. Or, if you're interested in working in an office setting on a college campus, you might prefer a career as a counseling psychologist.

3. Research degree programs

Some of the coursework required to become a clinical or counseling psychologist may overlap, but many degree programs emphasize one area of specialty over the other. This may include differences in research areas and practical training.

For example, as a student in clinical psychology, you may need to complete a practicum that includes working in specialized settings like an adult in-patient facility, while a practicum for a counseling psychologist may involve working in a general outpatient clinic. Different degree programs may also include different research opportunities. Conducting research is often part of a psychology degree program, so you may find it helpful to know what kind of research the institution's faculty specializes in before choosing a program.

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