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Career overview · SOC 19-3033

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.

Also called: Case Manager · Clinical Psychologist · Counseling Psychologist · Counselor · Licensed Clinical Psychologist · Licensed Psychologist

Median pay (national)
$95,830
$50,470–$170,150 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
72,190
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+11.2%
~4,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for clinical and counseling psychologists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $170,150 versus $50,470 at the bottom 10% — 3.4x. The median of $95,830 leaves roughly 78% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +11.2% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 4,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 46 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $132,550, +38% vs the national median), while Georgia sits lowest at $51,210 — a 159% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science
  • Mathematics

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
  • Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
  • Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.
  • Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
  • Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
  • Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant research.
  • Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.
  • Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests to obtain information on individuals' intelligence, achievements, interests, or personalities.

Tools & technology

  • Google Meet
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Zoom
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software
  • Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR
  • Anasazi Software Client Data System
  • Athena Software Penelope Case Management
  • B Sharp Technologies B Care
  • BlackHawk Canyon Publishers PracticianWorks
  • Blueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record Keeper
  • Bluewater Management Systems BMCASE
  • BRB Software HorizonMIS
  • Clinivate Clinitrak
  • Comprehensive Affect Testing System CATS
  • Core Solutions Care Enterprise
  • DocuTrac QuicDoc

Knowledge areas

  • Psychology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • English Language
  • Education and Training
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Law and Government
  • Administration and Management