Are counseling psychologists in demand?

Counseling psychologists help clients cope with relationship issues or mental health challenges presented by issues like depression or anxiety. They may also provide evaluation and diagnosis for some clients and consult with a larger treatment team that prescribes medical doctors (psychiatrists) and others to provide patients with the best possible treatment.

The overall growth rate for psychologists is expected to be 3 percent, which is about average for all other occupations. The specific growth experienced by counseling psychologists will depend on the area of specialization and the environment in which the job occurs. At present, counseling is expected to be in greater demand due to a rise in demand for psychological services in varied settings, including schools, hospitals, community mental health centers, and social service agencies.

Increased awareness of the connection between mental health and overall wellbeing is expected to influence growth for psychology professions in general. As with most jobs in the scientific fields, the higher the level of education attained, the more job opportunities can be expected. Counseling psychologists who specialize in working with the elderly and in rehabilitation are expected to experience the most growth in the coming years.

Most clinical and counseling psychologists need a doctoral degree to work in the field. Doctoral degrees in psychology may be either a Doctor of Psychology, abbreviated Psy.D.,  or a Ph.D. in psychology. A doctoral degree requires completion of clinical work during the degree program and may require a dissertation, which usually requires intense research on a chosen topic; a university’s psychology department must approve that.

To practice, psychologists must obtain licensure from the state they plan to practice in. Different states have different requirements that determine eligibility for licensure. Often, a state board of licensed psychologists determines educational program requirements, internship or supervised hours of practice, and other requirements that a license applicant must meet to become licensed to practice in a given state. Consult your state’s licensing board for information on specific requirements you may have to meet to become licensed to practice.