Counseling psychology is a compound profession that covers the fields of counseling and general psychology, encompassing a broad range of professions. Learn more about the field of counseling psychology and seven potential careers you can pursue with a master’s degree in counseling psychology.
What is Counseling Psychology?
Counseling psychology is a discipline within professional psychology focused on improving personal and relational functioning in all spheres of life. It cuts across vocational, emotional, educational, social, health-related, organizational, and developmental needs.
Counseling psychology bypasses cultural and racial barriers, focusing on the behavioral patterns of people, their interactions, and their functions in a given society. Also, counseling psychology deals with mental, emotional, physical, and social health as well as functionality at school, work, and home.
A counseling psychologist is a professional who helps people with emotional, mental, and physical needs develop a sense of well-being and become more productive, offering something positive to society. A counseling psychologist is adept at conflict management and resolution and helps ease emotional distress and low self-esteem.
A counseling psychologist must deal with clients at all stages of life, addressing issues in individual settings and as part of a set group.
Request info7 Career Paths in Counseling Psychology
Counseling psychologists can work almost anywhere, including at schools, hospitals, organizations, mental health facilities, and private practices. Future job titles for graduates of a counseling psychology program may include the following.
School Counselor
In educational settings, school counselors help students with career development, mental health issues, academic challenges, and improving social skills. A counseling psychologist understands how the mind works as well as the social sphere of a population of students and can give advice based on these insights.
How much does a school counselor make?
The median annual salary for a school counselor is $60,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data was collected in May 2021 for school and career counselors and advisors.
Clinical Social Worker
A counseling psychologist can choose to work with children, youth, and the elderly to provide them with mental health services and a better overall living environment. In a social work role, a counseling psychologist may also work with victims of abuse or trauma and develop treatment plans to improve their sense of well-being.
How much does a clinical social worker make?
The national average salary for a clinical social worker is $69,510, according to Zip Recruiter. This data was collected at the time this article was last updated.
Organizational Counselor
Counseling psychologists can choose to work in organizations or other professional workspaces to help employees reach maximum performance and efficiency levels.
Productivity is optimal when workers are emotionally and psychologically balanced, comfortable, and poised to put in their best efforts. An organizational counselor oversees interventions, strategies, and recommendations for workplace change to achieve these goals.
How much does an organizational counselor make?
The median annual salary for an organizational counselor is $113,320, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data was collected in May 2021 for industrial-organizational psychologists.
Adult & Geriatric Counselor
A counseling psychologist possesses the patience and compassion it takes to assist the elderly, understand their needs, and ensure that they remain mentally sound. As an adult and geriatric counselor, your job may include providing psychological and physical assessment services for older adults, counseling, direct care, and offering solutions to problems interfering with a patient’s quality of life.
How much does an adult and geriatric counselor make?
The national average salary for a geriatric counselor is $78,504, according to Zip Recruiter. This data was collected at the time of the updating of this article.
Group counselor or therapist
Counseling psychologists can work specifically within group settings to help members become better as both individuals and members of a unit. Group counselors facilitate meetings in which members of a common background or those experiencing similar issues will share their experiences in a safe and supportive space. Group therapy as a practice is a proven tool in mental health, and as a counselor in this sphere, you can help a large number of people lead better lives.
How much does a group counselor make?
The national average salary for a group counselor is $45,843, according to Zip Recruiter. This data was collected at the time this article was last updated.
Sports Psychologist
Athletes benefit from the stability and support of counseling psychologists, who help them bring out their best selves and achieve their goals—both on and off the field. A sports psychologist helps athletes to overcome mental hurdles and limitations in order to enhance their performance in their sport and daily lives.
How much does a sports psychologist make?
The national average salary for a sports psychologist is $80,110, according to Zip Recruiter. This data was collected at the time this article was last updated.
Health Psychologist
As a health psychologist, your job may include helping people live with chronic conditions, prevent further illness, or guiding patients through recovery in a way that maximizes their functional capabilities. This role requires an understanding of how biological, psychological, and social factors affect illness within the populations you are working with.
How much does a health psychologist make?
The national average salary for a health psychologist is $91,884, according to Zip Recruiter. This data was collected at the time this article was last updated.
Want to Pursue a Career in Counseling Psychology?
If you’re compassionate and find fulfillment in supporting others, a counseling job may be the right career for you. Counseling careers combine analytical psychology skills with empathic people skills.
The counseling job description varies depending on the specific job, but most counseling careers have many similarities. While counseling can take place with individuals, couples, or groups, many of the concepts remain the same. Counselors help clients communicate, discuss emotions, examine issues such as marital problems and substance abuse, and gather insights about themselves.
Request infoHow to Become a Licensed Counselor
Want to become an LPC, LCSW, LCPC, or another licensed counselor? In addition to obtaining a master’s degree, you’ll have to apply for licensure.
Licensure requirements include strong grades in your degree courses, supervised clinical experience, exams, and continuing education for license renewal. Specific licensure requirements differ by state and the type of license you’re pursuing.
Counseling Psychology programs at The Chicago School
A prospective counseling psychologist must achieve a master’s degree in counseling psychology, gain work experience, and pass their state board exam.
At The Chicago School, our variety of master’s degree programs equip future psychologists with the therapeutic, progressive diagnostic, and consultative skills necessary to stay relevant in their field of counseling.
Our M.A. in Counseling Psychology is available in Chicago. Students in Chicago can also choose from six concentrations: trauma and crisis intervention, marital and family therapy, health psychology, Latino mental health, treatment of addiction disorders, and child and adolescent treatment.
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology (Chicago)
- Health Psychology Concentration (Chicago)
- Marital & Family Therapy Concentration (Chicago)
- Treatment of Addiction Disorders Concentration (Chicago)
- Child & Adolescent Treatment Concentration (Chicago)
- Trauma & Crisis Intervention Concentration (Chicago)
- Latino Mental Health Concentration (Chicago)
Learn more about counseling psychology programs and careers!
The Chicago School offers graduate programs built with our students in mind. For more information about our M.A. in Counseling Psychology program, complete the form below.
FAQs About Counseling Psychology
Q: What can you do with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology?
A: There are many types of career paths in counseling psychology to choose from. Among them are the seven careers for counseling psychologists highlighted in this article: school counselor, clinical social worker, organizational counselor, adult and geriatric counselor, group counselor, sports psychologist, and health psychologist.
Q: What do you do as a counseling psychologist?
A: Depending on the specific field you decide to go into within counseling psychology, you can use your degree to counsel kids, adults, or the elderly; go into sports psychology; help people address chronic conditions; become a school counselor; or more!
Q: Where can you work as a counseling psychologist?
A: You can work as a counseling psychologist in most major cities, and even some more rural areas in the world. Most of the jobs in this field cannot be done remotely.