A 20 17 survey by the National Science Foundation found that 3.5 million people in the U.S. earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Out of this number, 14% pursued graduate degrees in psychology.
Many mental health professionals work in universities, research labs, hospitals, private practices, wellness clinics, or as school counselors. While counselors and clinical psychologists often work in similar surroundings, we examine the main differences between these two related branches of psychology.
What is Counseling?
A counseling psychologist is a qualified professional who works with generally stable people who want to learn how to manage emotions or stresses in their lives. Issues may involve sleep disorders, social anxiety, work-life balance, compulsive disorders, relationships, or substance abuse. A counseling psychologist can tailor a plan to help these individuals figure out and implement coping skills that work for them.
Counseling psychology is more holistic in practice than clinical psychology. These psychologists tend to work in student counseling at universities, rehabilitation clinics, mental health centers, and private practices.
What is Clinical Psychology?
In contrast to counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists’ sphere connects with the field of psychiatry.
After the Second World War, clinical psychology developed as a method to treat PTSD in soldiers returning home from the front. Today, clinical psychology has evolved into a field that diagnoses and treats mental illnesses such as major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
This kind of psychologist works in the natural science of psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, and humanistic psychotherapy. They apply psychological research to clients within clinical settings. This means directly working with or observing patients with various mental health disorders to offer treatments that drive internal and behavioral change. These clinicians work to develop resilience in their patients since counseling and clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication. Some may work in clinics, hospitals, community health clinics, legal systems, or private practice, while others may enter clinical settings within the social work sphere.
Counseling vs. Clinical Psychology: What’s the Difference?
Since these two degrees fall under the scope of psychology, you may wonder how these two disciplines differ.
While counseling psychology and clinical psychology might seem like the same thing, they tackle very different aspects of psychology.
By definition, general psychology studies cognition and how the science of thought, emotion, and behavior process and interact. The word counselor derives from the Latin word consulate, which means advising. A counselor usually helps people identify emotions, overcome behavioral patterns, and manage stresses in their everyday lives.
Clinical psychology goes a step further. It represents a specialized division of psychology that focuses on analyzing and handling multiple serious emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders. The word clinical derives from the Greek word klinike, which refers to “bedside.” These may include short-term or sudden-onset issues or severe, chronic problems that disrupt normal life and require treatment in a clinical setting.
If you want to become a clinical psychologist, a doctorate in this field will give you the understanding, skills, and practical experience to act in this profession.
Despite their differences, these two branches of the same field have many similarities. The main thing that clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists share is that they are concerned with helping people improve their mental health status.
Whether you pursue an academic career that seeks to understand gaps in understanding and addressing issues with human behavior or decide to directly improve mental health by working personally with patients, you can make a positive impact by pursuing an advanced degree.
The right program will bolster your knowledge and experience by giving you the real-world knowledge, in-depth understanding, and critical soft skills essential for this profession. These skills will help you adapt to working in academia, a hospital or school, or a regular clinical setting. In contrast to most counseling coursework, clinical psychology doctoral candidates will hone their skills by completing practica that engage them with people who experience serious mental health illnesses.
How to Choose Clinical Psychology vs. Counseling Psychology?
Deciding whether you want to become a counseling or clinical psychologist is a big decision that can determine where you go to school, what program you apply to, and in what direction you focus your career.
It is also a deeply personal choice based largely on preference and goals.
The main similarity between the two degrees is that they both follow the same licensing process. If you want to work in clinical psychology, however, be prepared to interact on a professional level with people who experience severe psychological disorders. This means that a clinical psychology degree will prepare you to perform in a more “bedside” clinical capacity. Suppose you want to interact with a diverse variety of people who experience different emotional, social, or behavioral issues in a less clinical setting. In that case, counseling psychology may be a great fit.
Remember that the social service fields are often underfunded, so base pay for people with an undergraduate degree in psychology may need to be higher. If you want to join a private practice, hospital, college, or company management position, these areas have more opportunities for ladder climbing and the potential to earn more money.
As in many disciplines, earning a graduate or postgraduate degree in counseling or clinical psychology can put you on track to a more stable career with a more rewarding salary.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that entry-level counseling psychologists earn an average of $51,000 per year (with an increase to $65,00 around 5-20 years into their careers). Meanwhile, a clinical psychologist earns around $70,500 annually.
Since these specialized skill sets are constantly in demand, psychological counseling positions in mental health are projected to increase by 20% this year.
If you prefer the academic path, there are plenty of research, writing, and teaching opportunities with counseling or clinical psychology degrees.
Final Thoughts
The best way to decide which degree path is right for you is to follow your passion, explore what interests you about human brains, emotions, and behavior, and figure out whether you want to help people directly in a clinical, school, or hospital setting or whether the idea of identifying new areas of research excites you.
While these two fields are linked, they offer different focuses. The former emphasizes working with everyday emotional concerns rather than more severe psychological issues. Whichever you feel best equipped to handle can help you forge a more fulfilling career.
Whether you plan to pursue a master’s or doctorate in one of these specializations, a graduate or postgraduate degree takes years of hard work and commitment. Identifying your strengths, interests, and goals is crucial before applying to a program. This will help ensure that you don’t regret your decision and invest your time and money in the program that best fits you.
Examining a program’s specifications and aligning your mission and ambition with counseling or clinical psychology can help you choose the right degree track.