What Is Counseling Psychology? - Society of Counseling ...

What Is Counseling Psychology?
A Brief Description of the
Discipline and Comparison to
Other Psychology Professions
Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS)
http://www.div17.org/SAS/
University at Albany
April, 2011

In This Presentation, You Will …
• Learn more about counseling psychology
• Develop an understanding of the differences and
similarities between counseling psychology and
other psychology disciplines (especially clinical
psychology)
• Gain information to help you make informed
decisions regarding your career path

Psychology Is Very Broad
• There are many different subfields of psychology:
▫ Clinical Psychology,
▫ Counseling Psychology,
▫ Forensic Psychology,
▫ Sports Psychology,
▫ Health Psychology,
▫ Industrial/Organizational
Psychology,
▫ School Psychology
▫ Social Psychology,
▫ Cognitive Psychology,
▫ Developmental Psychology,
▫ Experimental Psychology
▫ Neuropsychology
▫ the list goes on and on …
• Additionally, the type of degree earned can differ:
▫ Ph.D., Ed.D., Psy.D., M.S., M.A.

Applied Psychology
• Counseling Psychology is considered to be an
applied subfield of psychology
▫ Applied Psychology
• Focuses on the research and application of
psychological knowledge to solve practical problems
• e.g., I/O Psychology, community psychology, school
psychology, clinical psychology, counseling
psychology
▫ Basic Psychology
• Branches of psychology that tend to be less applied
and focus more on fundamental research
• e.g., social psychology, developmental psychology

Counseling Psychology Is One Specialty
of Psychology
• According to the website of the Society of
Counseling Psychology, “Counseling psychology as a
psychological specialty facilitates personal and
interpersonal functioning across the life span with a
focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational,
health-related, developmental, and organizational
concerns” (www.div17.org).
• Counseling psychology is a broad and diverse
discipline
▫ Can lead to many different careers

Scientist-Practitioner Model
• Counseling psychologists are usually trained to
be scientists as well as professional practitioners
▫ Science and practice are integrated
• Learn how to understand and conduct scientific
research
• Learn how to conduct therapy
• Doctoral level degree is required to be a
counseling psychologist
Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

Typical Requirements to Become a
Counseling Psychologist
• Two Methods of Entry to a Doctoral Program:
▫ Post Bachelor’s Degree
• Frequently in psychology, but may be in another subject
▫ Post Master’s Degree
• Credits may transfer to a doctoral program
• Graduate School
▫ Full-time study in a doctoral program
• At least 5-6 years post bachelor’s, 4-5 years post Master’s
• Some programs accept students with a Master’s degree only,
while other programs accept Bachelor’s and Master’s
students
• Length of time to graduate depends on the program, the
degree already held by the student, etc.

Typical Components of Doctoral
Programs in Counseling Psychology
• Class-work counseling theories, research and
statistics, assessment, etc.
• Practica clinical practice (e.g., seeing clients,
performing assessments, facilitating groups)
• Comprehensive exams (a.k.a. doctoral qualifying
exams) completed when the majority of courses
are finished
• Internship one complete calendar year of fulltime
clinical work, typically completed at the end of
the program
• Dissertation an independent research study that
is needed to complete the Ph.D.

Typical Requirements to Become a
Counseling Psychologist
• Post-doc one-year of supervised postdoctoral
practice is usually required to become a licensed
psychologist
▫ Can provide more training in a particular area of
research or practice after graduation as well
▫ There has been a movement toward eliminating the
requirement of post-doctoral training in order to be
licensed as psychologist
• Model is not yet adopted in all 50 states, though
• Licensure differs per each state; at minimum
passing a nationally administered exam is required
to be a practicing psychologist

What Do Counseling Psychologists Do?
• Counseling psychologists participate in a wide
range of activities (www.div17.org):
▫ Psychotherapeutic and Counseling Practice
▫ Teaching
▫ Research
▫ Career Development
▫ Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation
▫ Supervision
▫ Consultation
▫ Administrative Activities

What Do Counseling Psychologists Do?
• The majority of counseling psychologists have
described their primary role as either a clinical
practitioner (working with clients) or an
academician (faculty member at a college or
university) (Watkins et al., 1986).
• However, many counseling psychologists
participate in a large number of the previously
listed activities.

Where Do Counseling Psychologists
Typically Work?
Setting %
College or University (Faculty Member) 35.2
Independent Practice 20.1
College or University Counseling Center 17.2
Hospital 7.4
Clinic 4.4
Human Services (nursing home, rehab facility, etc.) 4.2
Government (military, government, criminal justice system) 2.1
School/Education Setting 2.1
Medical School 1.7
Business and Industry 0.9
Other 4.5
Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001 (Based on the 1995 APA Directory Survey)

Counseling Psychology Trends
• May be likely to work with clients who are closer
to the “normal” range of functioning
▫ This is not always the case, as many counseling
psychologists work with clients with more “severe”
psychopathology
• Focus on strengths instead of a focus on
psychopathology only
▫ May focus on taking clients past normal
functioning to an “optimal” level of functioning
Sources: Gelso & Fretz, 2001, & Society of Counseling Psychology Website

Counseling Psychology Trends
• Focus on career-related issues
▫ Vocational choice and development are often
studied
▫ Often work with clients who have problems in the
career realm
• Place an emphasis on multicultural research,
practice, and training
▫ The role of culture in therapy and in society is
explored
Sources: Gelso & Fretz, 2001, & Society of Counseling Psychology Website

Counseling Psychology vs.
Related Disciplines
• Clinical Psychology
▫ There is much overlap between clinical and
counseling psychology (this will be discussed
further in a moment)
▫ More emphasis on psychopathology in clinical
psychology
• Community Psychology
▫ Focuses on person-environment interactions
▫ Moves beyond the individual and examines
community settings
▫ Not likely to involve direct counseling / therapy
Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

Counseling Psychology vs.
Related Disciplines
• School Psychology
▫ Primarily work with children in schools
▫ Much time is spent on assessment (e.g., testing for
ADHD)
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology (I/O
Psychology)
▫ The study of behavior in work settings
▫ Has the goal of helping an organization become
more effective
▫ Client is a company or organization, not an
individual
Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

Counseling Psychology vs.
Related Disciplines
• Psychiatric Social Work
▫ 2 year Masters’ degree (MSW)
▫ Conduct counseling and psychotherapy
• Mental Health Counseling
▫ Master’s Degree
▫ Provide counseling and psychotherapy
▫ More limited career options than with a doctoral
degree
▫ Can be licensed as a Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC) or similar
• Licensure is available in all states. Exact title may vary
slightly.
Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

Counseling Psychology vs.
Related Disciplines
• Psychiatrist
▫ Medical doctor
• Much time is spent monitoring symptoms and
prescribing medication
▫ Conduct counseling and therapy
• Often not as extensively trained in psychotherapy
• Many psychiatrists no longer provide
psychotherapy and instead focus exclusively on
medication management
Source: Gelso & Fretz, 2001

Overview: Counseling Psychology vs.
Clinical Psychology
• Clinical psychology is most similar to counseling
psychology, and so the two will be compared/contrasted
in detail here
• Most of the differences between counseling psychology
and clinical psychology are based on the historical
emphases in each field
▫ Traditionally, counseling psychology has taken a more
“whole-person” approach (e.g., vocational work, strengthsbased,
developmental, and contextual focus), whereas
clinical psychology has taken more of a psychopathology
approach (e.g., focus on diagnosis and abnormal
functioning).
• However, although differences still exist between clinical
and counseling psychologists, they have become more
similar, and psychologists from both fields work in
mostly the same settings

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• The following information comparing clinical and
counseling psychology is derived mostly from the
following source:
▫ Norcross, J. C. (2000). Clinical psychology vs.
counseling psychology: What’s the diff? Eye on Psi
Chi, 5(1), 20-22.
• As we tease out the differences, keep in mind that
Clinical and Counseling Psychology are very similar
overall!
▫ In reality, there are many more similarities than differences
between the two fields.
▫ Lead to similar job opportunities
▫ Both require a doctoral level degree

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Size
▫ There are more clinical psychology programs than
counseling psychology programs
• Approximately three times as many clinical psychology
programs
▫ More Clinical Psychology graduates each year than
Counseling Psychology graduates
• Location
▫ Clinical Psychology: Department of Psychology
▫ Counseling Psychology: Usually Department of
Education
• Also can be in Department of Psychology, Arts and
Sciences. and others

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Theoretical Orientations
▫ Percentages are the same for most theoretical
orientations, with a few exceptions:
▫ Clinical Psychology
• Slightly more psychoanalytical and behavioral
orientations
▫ Counseling Psychology
• Slightly more humanistic/client-centered
orientations

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Professional Activities
▫ Clinical Psychology
• In some cases, focuses more on clients with more
“severe” psychopathology
▫ Counseling Psychology
• In some cases, focuses more on clients with less
“severe” psychopathology
• More vocational assessment
• e.g., help with career decision-making, focus on
managing work-related problems

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Employment Settings
▫ Similar overall, with a few differences
▫ Clinical Psychology
• More often employed in hospital settings
▫ Counseling Psychology
• More often employed in University Counseling
Centers
• More diverse work settings than any other field
▫ However, it is important to keep in mind that you can
work in virtually the same settings with either degree

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Research Areas
▫ According to Norcross (2000), for all programs
(clinical and counseling combined), the most
frequently listed areas of faculty research, in
descending order, were:
1. Behavioral
medicine/health
psychology
2. Minority/cross-cultural
psychology
3. Psychotherapy process and
outcome
4. Family therapy/research
5. Child clinical/pediatric
psychology
6. Neuropsychology
7. Mood disorders
8. Anxiety disorders
9. Eating disorders
10. Assessment

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Research Areas:
▫ Largest differences occurred in
minority/cross-cultural psychology and
vocational assessment: 69% and 62% of
counseling psychology programs listed these,
respectively, as areas of faculty research,
compared to 32% and 1% of the clinical
programs

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Counseling psychology programs more
frequently provide research training and
mentorship in:
▫ career processes and vocational assessment
▫ human diversity
• e.g., gender differences, sexual orientation, cultural
differences
▫ professional issues
• e.g., ethics, professional training, supervision

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Clinical Psychology programs more frequently
provide research training and mentorship in:
▫ psychopathological populations
• e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism,
affective disorders, chronic mental illness,
personality disorders, etc.
▫ hospital/medical settings
• e.g., neuropsychology, pain management

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Admissions
▫ GRE scores: similar overall with a few differences
favoring the clinical programs (on average, slightly
higher GRE scores may be needed for clinical
programs)
▫ GPA needed for admission is similar across clinical
and counseling doctoral programs
▫ Clinical programs receive more applications (270 vs.
130) but acceptance rates are the same

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Admissions (cont.)
▫ In both programs two thirds accepted are women
▫ Ethnic minorities: Counseling - 25% vs. Clinical – 18%
▫ For both programs, approximately two thirds of
applicants accepted are baccalaureate and one third
are masters level
• Please bear in mind that there are some programs that
only accept students with a master’s degree, though!

Clinical Psychology vs.
Counseling Psychology
• Both Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) and
Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) of APA have
specific “sections” for specific interest areas
within each division:
▫ List and summary of Division 12 sections
▫ List and summary of Division 17 sections

In Conclusion
• Counseling psychology is a very broad degree that
can lead to employment in many different settings.
▫ forensics, managerial consultation, private practice,
private and public hospitals, VA centers, military,
college counseling centers, community mental health
centers, academic-teaching positions, administration,
residential treatment facilities, neuropsychological
settings, research oriented positions, etc.
• Although this PowerPoint may be a good starting
point, you will probably need to learn more in order
to determine if earning a degree in counseling
psychology is the best fit for you.

For More Information On Counseling
Psychology
• Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS) Website:
▫ http://www.div17.org/SAS/index.html
▫ You can use the SAS message board to
communicate with other students who are or may
be interested in counseling psychology.
• Division of Counseling Psychology website
▫ http://www.div17.org/
• Look for resources under the “Student” subheading.
• List of APA Accredited Counseling Psychology
Programs:
▫ http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/programs/ac
cred-counseling.aspx

For More Information On Counseling
Psychology
• Find counseling psychologists (and other mental
health professionals) and talk with them
▫ For example, you could talk with a few counseling
psychologists and a few clinical psychologists to get
more information on the similarities and
differences between the two fields
• Consult the resources listed on the following
references pages

References and Additional Resources:
• Fitzgerald, L. F., & Osipow, S. H. (1986). An
occupational analysis of counseling psychology:
How special is the specialty? American
Psychologist, 41, 535-544.
• Gelso, C., & Fretz, B. (2001). Counseling psychology
(2 nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
• Norcross, J. C., Sayette, M. A., Mayne, T. J., Karg, R.
S., & Turkson, M. A. (1998). Selecting a doctoral
program in professional psychology: Some
comparisons among PhD counseling, PhD
clinical, and PsyD clinical psychology programs.
Professional Psychology: Research and
Practice, 29, 609-614.

References and Additional Resources:
• Norcross, J. C. (2000). Clinical psychology vs.
counseling psychology: What’s the diff? Eye on
Psi Chi, 5(1), 20-22.
• Society of Counseling Psychology (2010). Society
of counseling psychology, division 17.
Retrieved from http://www.div17.org/
• Watkins, C. E. (1983). Counseling psychology
versus clinical psychology: Further
explorations on a theme or once more
around the "identity“ maypole with gusto. The
Counseling Psychologist, 11, 76-92.

References and Additional Resources:
• Watkins, C. E., Lopez, F. G., Campbell, V. L., &
Himmell, C. D. (1986). Counseling
psychology and clinical psychology: Some
preliminary comparative data. American
Psychologist, 41, 581- 582.
• Watkins, C. E., Lopez, F. G., Campbell, V. L., &
Himmel, C. D. (1986). Contemporary
counseling psychology: Results of a national
survey. Journal of Counseling Psychology,
33, 301-309.