Occupation Profile for Counseling Psychologists

opportunity | video

Assess and evaluate individuals' problems through the use of case history, interview, and observation and provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.

Signficant Points

  • About 34 percent of psychologists are self-employed, compared with only 8 percent of all workers.
  • Competition for admission to graduate psychology programs is keen.
  • Overall employment of psychologists is expected to grow faster than average.
  • Job prospects should be the best for people who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty, such as counseling or health, and those with a specialist or doctoral degree in school psychology.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
  • Core — Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
  • Core — Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, and needs.
  • Core — Consult with other professionals to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources, or techniques, and to share occupational information.
  • Core — Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.

Activities

  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.