How Does Counseling Psychology Differ from Clinical Psychology?
Updated April 10, 2024 · 3 Min Read
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Aspiring psychology professionals may wonder about the differences between counseling psychologists and clinical psychologists. Counseling and clinical psychology share many similarities. Both mental health careers require a doctorate to use the title "psychologist."
However, these two psychology specialties are not identical — and understanding the differences can help you find the right fit for your career.
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What is Counseling Psychology?
Counseling psychology helps people improve their mental health and well-being through evidence-based psychotherapy practices. Counseling psychologists conduct assessments and diagnostic tests to create treatment plans for patients. They help patients manage stress, address emotional challenges, and improve their coping skills. Many counseling psychologists emphasize prevention and education.
Can counseling psychologists diagnose mental health disorders? Yes — and in a small number of states, counseling psychologists can prescribe medication.
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology focuses on mental and behavioral healthcare. Clinical psychologists provide psychotherapy, consult with agencies, and provide clinical supervision. Within this broad field, clinical psychologists can specialize in several areas, including therapeutic practice and research.
Like counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists can assess emotional and behavioral functioning, diagnose mental health conditions, and develop behavioral intervention plans. They also conduct tests, interviews, and observations to better understand psychological issues.
Comparing Requirements for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Clinical and counseling psychologists share many similar job responsibilities — and you'll take a similar path to enter either of these psychology professions.
Education and Training
Both counseling and clinical psychologists must complete doctorates in psychology to earn licensure and work with clients.
An aspiring psychologist can earn a Ph.D. in psychology or a Psy.D. degree. While both doctoral tracks emphasize psychopathology, a Ph.D. often leads to careers in research or academia, while a Psy.D. prepares graduates to work in clinical settings. Ph.D. students often complete research-based dissertations, while Psy.D. students complete clinical research projects.
During a doctorate in psychology, you'll complete supervised clinical experience to meet licensure requirements. Counseling and clinical psychology doctoral students expand their psychotherapy abilities during these clinical hours, which meet professional licensure requirements.
Licensure and Certification
Clinical and counseling psychologists who work with clients must hold state-issued licensure. The licensure process and requirements vary depending on the state, but in most jurisdictions, you'll need a doctorate, clinical experience, and passing scores on a licensure examination.
While psychologists can specialize during their doctoral training, most states issue identical licenses to counseling and clinical psychologists. You'll also need to complete continuing education requirements to maintain your license.
In addition to licensure, you can also pursue professional certification in your specialty area. For example, you can become a board-certified counseling psychologist or a board-certified clinical psychologist. Some of the most popular certifications include:
American Board of Professional Psychology
- Board Certification in Counseling Psychology
- Board Certification in Clinical Psychology
- Board Certification in Couple and Family Psychology
- Board Certification in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Board Certification in Clinical Health Psychology
- Board Certification in Serious Mental Illness Psychology
What They Do
In the workplace, counseling and clinical psychologists share many similarities across job duties and responsibilities. The differences between the two specialties are nuanced and may not apply to every professional.
Counseling psychologists work closely with clients to address behavioral, social, and emotional challenges. While clinical psychologists can also work with clients, they may focus on more severe psychological disorders.
Clinical and counseling psychologists assess and diagnose psychological conditions. In practice, clinical psychologists may emphasize diagnosis more than counseling psychologists due to the nature of their work. With either specialty, you can pursue additional licensure to prescribe medication in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
Counseling Psychologist vs. Clinical Psychologist At a Glance
Working as a Counseling Psychologist
- Education Required: Doctoral degree
- Professional Focus: Emphasis on personal and interpersonal health and holistic well-being
- Common Workplaces: Private practice, academic institutions, public agencies
- Median Salary: $106,600 (BLS, May 2023)
Working as a Clinical Psychologist
- Education Required: Doctoral degree
- Professional Focus: Emphasis on pathology and treatment of mental illnesses
- Common Workplaces: Private practice, hospitals, inpatient mental health clinics
- Median Salary: $106,600 (BLS, May 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling and Clinical Psychology
What is the difference between counseling and clinical psychologists?
Counseling and clinical psychologists emphasize psychotherapeutic treatments to help clients manage their mental health. While both careers require a doctorate and licensure to treat patients, clinical psychologists often focus on more severe mental health disorders, depending on their work setting.
Can counseling psychologists diagnose?
Yes -- counseling psychologists can diagnose mental health conditions. In every state, a counseling psychologist needs a license and supervised clinical experience to treat patients. They can assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. However, only a handful of states allow counseling psychologists to prescribe medication with additional certification.
Can clinical psychologists prescribe medication?
In most states, clinical psychologists cannot prescribe medication. However, several states give prescribing authority to licensed psychologists, including Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico. In these states, clinical psychologists can provide comprehensive mental healthcare, including diagnosing mental health disorders and prescribing medications.
Which psychology degree is best - clinical or counseling?
Clinical and counseling psychology degrees train you in psychopathology, research methods, and psychology best practices. A doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology meets licensure requirements to work as a clinical or counseling psychologist. However, your coursework and focus will differ depending on the degree.
Page last reviewed on March 19, 2024