You’ve decided your skill set would be best utilized in a career dedicated to helping others. Choosing a specialty can be difficult, and oftentimes students are faced with the choice between clinical mental health counseling and counseling psychology. The line between the two professions appears to be blurred, making it difficult to determine the differences between clinical mental health counseling graduates and counseling psychology graduates. If you’re undecided, this post will help you decipher the similarities and differences between the two graduate school paths.
Careers. One of the most confusing aspects of the differences between clinical mental health counseling and counseling psychology is their work settings. Actually, both types of counselors work in very similar settings. They often provide the same types of services, such as the diagnosis and treatment of mental health concerns; treatment of personal problems and other developmental concerns; substance abuse treatment; family and child concerns; and couple and marital counseling. They also work in similar settings, including outpatient clinics, nonprofits, private practices, residential treatment facilities, and hospital settings. So the differences are more about the curriculum, educational requirements, and licensure. However, another difference is one’s ultimate career goal. Because clinical mental health counseling is a terminal degree, those seeking this program tend to be interested in direct post-master’s clinical experience. Those seeking a counseling psychology degree are typically ultimately interested in earning a doctorate in psychology.
Curriculum. The differences between the two programs are clearly seen in their curriculum and training emphasis. Typically, counseling programs are either CACREP accredited or CACREP aligned. As a result, they reflect a nationally endorsed set of standards that emphasizes human growth and development, multiculturalism, group work, career development, and ethics. Additionally, faculty members in counseling programs tend to have doctorates in counselor education and supervision making them experts in teaching and supervision. Faculty in counseling psychology programs are more likely to be researchers and clinicians. These programs tend to follow APA standards so they have an emphasis on research, psychopathology, and assessment. They often use what is referred to as the scientist or practitioner model. While individual programs vary, in general, it could be said that counseling programs treat mental health disorders from a strength-based and development emphasis while counseling psychology programs emphasis is on the medical model.
Education requirements. Different schools have different criteria for admission so it is wise to check each school’s specifications. For both career paths, most schools require undergraduates to finish basic coursework in psychology or a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, and obtain fieldwork or volunteer experience. Master’s programs often require transcripts from postsecondary institutions and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. Both careers require the time it takes to earn a master’s degree. On average, this means two to three years and 60 semester hours of coursework to complete a degree. For many counseling psychology programs, the master’s degree is seen as a degree linked to a doctoral degree in psychology where the clinical mental health counseling degree is a terminal degree often leading directly to practice.
Licensure. It is important to note that licensure requirements differ from state to state. Graduates from both programs typically seek a license as a clinical mental health counselor; however the specific name of this license also varies from state to state. All states have education, experience, and examination requirements in order to obtain a license. It is important to check to see that the specific curriculum of a program meets the state’s licensure requirements.
Career outlook and salary. Master’s-level counselors, whether from counseling psychology or clinical mental health counseling programs may have a bright future with growth surpassing other occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mental health counselor jobs are expected to grow 20 percent from 2014 to 2024. Graduates from both clinical mental health counseling and counseling psychology programs work as mental health clinicians.
Clinical mental health counseling and counseling psychology are two similar graduate programs with subtle differences. When deciding between the two programs, it’s the nuances—developmental models and medical models—that make the difference. Either way, you’ll find yourself in a specialty where helping others is paramount and your skill set is put to use improving society.
Counselors and counseling psychologists perform similar duties, but there are some key differences between the two professions. Both help people live better lives, but counselors and counseling psychologists have different educational backgrounds, areas of focus and specialization, and work settings.
Similarities
There are similarities between counselors and counseling psychologists, including that both professions:
- Are mental health practitioners
- Can diagnose and treat mental health conditions
- Can provide psychotherapy
- Help clients improve their well-being
- May specialize in a particular area, such as working with children, adults, or couples
- Work in diverse areas including hospitals, government offices, mental health clinics, academic settings, and private practice
Differences
Some of the major differences between counselors and counseling psychologists are in their level of education, the scope of their practice, and the settings in which they work.
Counselors
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Usually have a master’s degree
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Mainly address clients’ emotional and relationship issues through talk therapy and skills development
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Often work in school or career settings
Counseling Psychologists
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Have a doctorate degree
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Primarily treat clients with serious mental health conditions as well as pursue research and teaching
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Often work in medical and mental health clinics
Education and Training
One of the major differences between the professions is educational and training requirements.
Counselor Educational Requirements
Counselors typically hold a minimum of a master’s degree in either counseling or psychology. To become a licensed professional counselor (LPC), an individual must pass a national professional exam and complete a specified number of supervised hours in the field.
Counseling programs require less time to complete than a doctorate, allowing students to enter the workforce faster.
Some master’s programs allow for part-time study, making it possible for students to remain employed in their current job while they earn their degree. Many of these programs are also available partially or completely online.
Counseling Psychologist Educational Requirements
Counseling psychologists, on the other hand, hold a PhD, PsyD, or EdD degree in counseling psychology.
The education for counseling psychologists generally has a greater focus on research than master’s level counseling programs do.
These doctorate programs typically take at least five years to complete. The first four years are spent on required courses, research, clinical experiences, and a dissertation; a supervised internship in the field is completed during the fifth year.
As with master’s programs, some PhD, PsyD, and EdD degree programs can be done partially or completely online.
Accreditation and Licensing
Counseling psychology and counseling degree programs are sometimes housed within a university’s College of Education. Both programs receive accreditation from different accrediting bodies in the United States.
In the U.S., counseling programs are accredited through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and counseling psychology programs are accredited through the American Psychological Association (APA).
Both counselors and psychologists must also be licensed to practice within the state where they work. To become licensed, counselors and psychologists must meet specific education, training, and testing criteria established by the state.
The requirements typically include meeting a minimum education level, completing required supervised experience hours, and passing state certification exams.
Scope of Practice
Another key difference between counselors and counseling psychologists is in the type of duties they typically perform.
Counseling psychologists often conduct psychological assessments and administer diagnostic tests to clients, while counselors tend to focus less on using these tools.
Additionally, state laws can dictate the types of assessments a counselor can offer and may require that administration of these tests be supervised by a psychologist.
Counseling psychologists typically work with clients who have serious mental health conditions. Clients with emotional, relationship, social, and academic problems, on the other hand, are often referred to a counselor because these professionals typically offer more cost-effective treatments.
Both professionals provide important mental health services that are designed to help people overcome challenges and optimize their well-being.
Specializing
Counselors and psychologists can both choose to specialize in a particular area, which can be related to the setting they practice in or the type of clients they work with. Specializing generally requires additional education, training, and licensure, and may require research, internships, or fieldwork.
Counselors may choose to focus on a specialty area such as school counseling, career counseling, marriage and family counseling, mental health counseling, and addiction counseling.
Counselors can go by different titles depending on the type of education they received, the population of clients they work with, and the settings they practice in. Licensed professional counselor (LPC) and licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) are two common examples.
Counseling psychologists may choose to specialize in areas such as substance abuse, child development, health psychology, community psychology, crisis intervention, or developmental disabilities.
A Word From Verywell
While counselors and counseling psychologists perform many similar job duties in the field of mental health, it is important to be aware of the differences between the two professions. If you are thinking about entering one of these fields, you will need to determine which one is right for you and adjust your educational plan to meet the requirements in the state where you intend to practice.
If you are looking for mental health services, talk to your health care provider about the type of mental health provider who would best meet your needs. For example, if you need help coping with stress at school or work, a counselor might be able to help. If you have a mental health condition that requires treatment, you might be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist who can manage your care.
