With many different areas of mental health to pursue a degree and a career in, understanding the differences between popular fields such as clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) and counseling psychology is helpful in your degree search. Both of these disciplines offer unique perspectives and opportunities, especially for those passionate about mental health. The Chicago School’s M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology programs teach a diverse range of knowledge and skills that cater to various professional aspirations. Let’s explore the similarities and differences of these two paths to better understand their roles, educational requirements, and career opportunities.
What Does a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Do?
A clinical mental health counselor works with clients who may be struggling with a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, stress, grief, suicidal ideation, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. CMHCs work to assess behavior, begin a diagnosis process, and come up with solutions and a treatment plan for the client. Utilizing the knowledge they’ve learned in their studies, they must assess any outside factors and stressors that could be triggering unhealthy behaviors and thoughts.Â
Clinical mental health counselors can work in a diverse set of environments including private practice, educational institutions, hospitals, and community health centers. There are also specialized fields within clinical mental health counseling you can pursue as well, such as a substance abuse counselor, sports counselor, military counselor, or rehab counselor, to name a few.
CMHC Educational Requirements
In order to become a practicing clinical mental health counselor, you’ll need to pursue a master’s degree in a related counseling field to start. Post-graduation, receiving licensure is your next step toward being able to practice. In order to become licensed, you need to complete field training.Â
The Chicago School’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program is designed to meet the licensure standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for a professional counseling license. There are different licensure requirements for each state so please be sure to check the licensure disclosures for the program and state you are interested in practicing in.
What is the Average Clinical Mental Health Counselor’s Salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a mental health counselor in the U.S. is $53,710.
What Does a Clinical Psychologist Do?
A clinical psychologist assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental and emotional disorders of clients through the use of their clinical knowledge and psychological testing. Clinical psychologists often work with clients with a wide range of mental and behavioral disorders. Utilizing specialized knowledge learned from schooling and fieldwork, clinical psychologists must be able to assess cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal functions to put together observations and test data from client to client.
Clinical psychologists can work in a variety of settings including clinics, private practice, hospitals, nonprofit or government agencies, and educational institutions.
Clinical Psychologist Educational Requirements
To begin your path to becoming a clinical psychologist, you must first pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and then a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Post-graduation you must complete fieldwork training and licensure in your state.Â
The Chicago School’s Psy.D. Clinical Psychology is designed to meet the educational requirements set by the American Psychology Association (APA) for a professional clinical psychologist license. The licensure requirements differ by state, so be sure to check the licensure disclosures for information on the program and state you are interested in practicing.
What is the Average Clinical Psychologist’s Salary?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a clinical psychologist is $96,100.Â
Clinical Mental Health Counseling vs. Clinical Psychology
While these careers are both mental health-focused, clinical mental health counseling and clinical psychology do differ in knowledge and expertise, education requirements, and day-to-day clientele.
| Educational Requirements | Salary Expectations* | Client Work | Projected Career Growth 2023-2033* | |
| Mental Health Counselors | Master’s degree and Professional Licensure | $53,710 | Counseling sessions consist of assessing and diagnosing common stressors and triggers | 19% (Much faster than average) |
| Clinical Psychology | Doctoral Degree and Professional Licensure | $96,100 | Assessment and diagnosis of advanced psychological conditions and applying treatment plans | 11% (Much faster than average) |
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pursue a Degree in Mental HealthÂ
If you know that you’re interested in pursuing a degree in the mental health field, The Chicago School has many different program options within that field including Clinical Psychology, Counseling, General Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. Take the next steps toward becoming a mental healthcare professional and start your education today.