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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 370 | $84,360 | $40.56 | |
| Alaska | 110 | $92,450 | $44.45 | |
| Arizona | 720 | $76,870 | $36.96 | |
| Arkansas | 420 | $75,050 | $36.08 | |
| California | 10,250 | $122,790 | $59.03 | |
| Colorado | 980 | $86,760 | $41.71 | |
| Connecticut | 550 | $116,740 | $56.13 | |
| Delaware | 130 | $129,450 | $62.24 | |
| District of Columbia | 270 | $99,890 | $48.02 | |
| Florida | 2,580 | $87,730 | $42.18 | |
| Georgia | 830 | $73,350 | $35.27 | |
| Hawaii | 380 | $113,040 | $54.35 | |
| Idaho | 330 | $77,070 | $37.05 | |
| Illinois | 4,160 | $101,090 | $48.60 | |
| Indiana | 1,360 | $79,250 | $38.10 | |
| Iowa | 330 | $103,070 | $49.55 | |
| Kansas | 430 | $96,950 | $46.61 | |
| Kentucky | 470 | $96,290 | $46.29 | |
| Louisiana | 200 | $101,420 | $48.76 | |
| Maine | 120 | $91,630 | $44.05 | |
| Maryland | 820 | $93,330 | $44.87 | |
| Massachusetts | 3,120 | $92,110 | $44.29 | |
| Michigan | 2,040 | $81,940 | $39.40 | |
| Minnesota | 1,260 | $93,790 | $45.09 | |
| Mississippi | 330 | $76,800 | $36.92 | |
| Missouri | 1,290 | $72,530 | $34.87 | |
| Montana | 180 | $87,310 | $41.98 | |
| Nebraska | 260 | $82,110 | $39.48 | |
| Nevada | 220 | $95,830 | $46.07 | |
| New Hampshire | 160 | $95,850 | $46.08 | |
| New Jersey | 910 | $143,150 | $68.82 | |
| New Mexico | 310 | $110,410 | $53.08 | |
| New York | 4,220 | $120,350 | $57.86 | |
| North Carolina | 1,930 | $94,480 | $45.42 | |
| North Dakota | 180 | $112,160 | $53.92 | |
| Ohio | 2,010 | $105,460 | $50.70 | |
| Oklahoma | 340 | $66,350 | $31.90 | |
| Oregon | 850 | $126,230 | $60.69 | |
| Pennsylvania | 2,620 | $77,140 | $37.09 | |
| Rhode Island | 410 | $107,060 | $51.47 | |
| South Carolina | 240 | $84,760 | $40.75 | |
| South Dakota | 100 | $91,540 | $44.01 | |
| Tennessee | 510 | $108,560 | $52.19 | |
| Texas | 3,170 | $82,510 | $39.67 | |
| Utah | 910 | $87,030 | $41.84 | |
| Vermont | $69,060 | $33.20 | ||
| Virginia | 1,350 | $108,910 | $52.36 | |
| Washington | 970 | $103,190 | $49.61 | |
| West Virginia | 390 | $63,410 | $30.49 | |
| Wisconsin | 1,800 | $86,750 | $41.71 | |
| Wyoming | 100 | $72,900 | $35.05 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behavior, the physical and environmental bases of behavior, and the analysis and treatment of behavior problems and disorders. Includes instruction in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the unique stages of psychological growth and development of individuals from infancy through childhood. Includes instruction in cognitive and perceptual development, emotional development, personality development, the effects of biological maturation on behavior, theories of cognitive growth and related research methods, testing and assessment methods for different age levels, research on child and adolescent behavior therapy, and the psychology of aging.
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of clinical psychology, involving the analysis, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of psychological disorders and behavioral pathologies. Includes instruction in clinical assessment and diagnosis, personality appraisal, psychopathology, clinical psychopharmacology, behavior modification, therapeutic intervention skills, patient interviewing, personalized and group therapy, child and adolescent therapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy, supervised clinical practice, ethical standards, and applicable regulations.
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling, involving the rendering of therapeutic services to individuals and groups experiencing psychological problems and exhibiting distress symptoms. Includes instruction in counseling theory, therapeutic intervention strategies, patient/counselor relationships, testing and assessment methods and procedures, group therapy, marital and family therapy, child and adolescent therapy, supervised counseling practice, ethical standards, and applicable regulations.
A program that focuses on the developmental processes of children and associated disorders and that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of clinical child psychology. Includes instruction in developmental neuropsychology, child psychopathology, testing of children and adolescents, pediatric psychology, psychosocial variables in child development, clinical skills, family therapy, behavioral assessment and intervention, clinical skills, consultation, professional standards and ethics, and applications to topics such as infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
A program that focuses on the psychology of aging and of elderly individuals and populations, with reference to growth and decline across the life span. Includes instruction in gerontology, developmental and adult psychology, age-related development and decline of cognitive processes, age-related psychological and neurological disorders, social and personality development in aging populations and individuals, and applications to the clinical treatment and care of older adults.
A program that focuses on the psychological study of health and illness, and recovery, from the perspective that these phenomena arise from a combination of physical, behavioral, and social conditions. Includes instruction in abnormal and social psychology, psychophysiology, psychopharmacology, learning processes, clinical and behavioral therapies, biopsychosocial modeling, clinical procedures and assessment, preventive education, psychotherapy, rehabilitation processes, and research methods.
A program that prepares individuals to provide therapeutic, evaluative, and research services to families and individuals in the family unit context. Includes instruction in natural and family systems theory, family and group rituals, family evaluation and assessment, marital and couples therapy, sex therapy, parenting, interviewing techniques, genogram construction, family sculpting, diversity issues, family violence, family law, and professional standards and ethics.
A program that focuses on the application of principles of learning and behavior to enhance the development, abilities, and choices of children and adults; and that prepares individuals to address the behavioral needs of individuals, especially those with developmental disabilities and autism. Includes instruction in behavior analysis and learning, behavioral and functional assessment, developmental psychology, applied behavioral analysis in developmental disabilities and autism, applied behavioral analysis in mental health and aging, research methods, evaluation of interventions, and professional and ethical issues.
A program that prepares individuals to practice the provision of psychoanalytic counseling to individuals and groups based on the psychodynamic principles evolved from authorities such as Freud, Adler, and Jung. Includes instruction in self-analysis, personality theory, dream analysis, free association and transference theory and techniques, psychodynamic theory, developmental processes, applications to specific clinical conditions, practice management, and professional standards and ethics.
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$99,640 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Doctoral or professional degreeTypical education requirement
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Internship/residencyTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as clinical and counseling psychologists.
- Less than high school 0%
- High school graduate 0%
- College dropout 0%
- Associate’s degree 0%
- Bachelor’s degree 10%
- Master’s degree 23%
- Doctorate degree 66%
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