Clinical VS Counseling Psychology

Many aspiring psychologists are interested in the field because they want to work directly with patients or clients and help them cope with and resolve their problems. There are two branches of psychology that can fit this description: counseling psychology and clinical psychology. Though counseling and clinical psychology share many similarities, they are distinct disciplines that entail different job duties and educational paths.

Counseling Psychologists

A counseling psychologist is a psychology professional who helps patients or clients deal with life problems. Often, this means providing advice on how to resolve issues effectively, improve communication and enhance the health of social relationships. A counseling psychologist may teach a client new coping strategies and help him or her determine what resources, such as personal support systems and community services, they can use. Counseling psychologists may help people struggling with psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety, but often they primarily work to address life changes, stresses and traumas that trigger these issues. While counseling psychology degree programs cover psychotherapy as do their clinical psychology counterparts, counseling programs often seek to utilize multicultural training methods to prepare aspiring counselors to work with clients of varied backgrounds, the American Psychological Association reported.

Clinical Psychologists

The field of clinical psychology approaches psychotherapy from less of an educational perspective and more of a healthcare perspective. Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat psychological conditions similar to how healthcare workers would diagnose and treat physical medical conditions. These professionals use diagnostic tests and inventories to identify psychological conditions, including emotional and behavioral disorders.