Clinical Mental Health Counseling versus Psychology
Clinical mental health counselors and clinical psychologists are fundamentally similar but functionally different.
At a glance, both counselors and psychologists:
- are state-licensed,
- serve clients directly,
- are reimbursable by most insurance, and
- seek to improve quality of life and health outcomes for their clients.
However, there are key differences between these professions. Clinical mental health counselors and psychologists obtain different degrees, with a counselor earning a master’s in mental health counseling and a psychologist earning a master’s in psychology or, more commonly, a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD). They receive different philosophical training, develop unique approaches to providing care, and tend to have different career outcomes.
Explore the different components of these occupations and their corresponding degrees, below.
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Training and Education
Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling
Requirements
A clinical mental health counselor should have a master’s degree from a counseling program that follows CACREP standards. Clinical mental health counselors can also choose to focus on various concentrations such as substance use or special populations, including children and members of the LGBT community.
Length and Format of Study
A clinical mental health counseling master’s program typically lasts between two and three years. Some programs can be completed in as few as 18 months. Length of program depends on the credit requirements. Additionally, some clinical mental health counseling programs are offered both on campus and online.
Topics
Most counseling programs focus on providing students with the practical skill set to guide clients through life challenges. The core concepts covered typically include:
- human growth and development,
- diversity and multicultural issues,
- career guidance for clients, and
- contextual and cultural issues.
Counseling programs train students to be discerning consumers of research who responsibly incorporate current, credible information into their practice.
While a master’s in psychology emphasizes assessment and tailors treatment to specific mental disorders, a master’s in clinical mental health counseling focuses on holistic treatment. Clinical mental health counselors may administer therapeutic tests with the proper education, training, and supervised experience. However, counselors consider the results to be just one metric of many variables that measure a client’s overall health and development. Clinical mental health counseling programs generally share this commitment to caring for the whole person, though every curriculum has its own approach or perspective.
Master’s Degree in Psychology
Requirements
You can become a psychologist with a master’s degree in psychology, but in some states you may have to work under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate. Because of these limitations, many students go on to pursue a doctorate, such as a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology, a competitive degree program that usually lasts five years.
Psychology master’s programs follow standards set by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Length of Study and Format
A master’s degree in psychology typically takes between one and two years to complete. You can pursue a master’s in psychology through various on-campus programs, or you can enroll in an online master’s in psychology program.
Topics
Psychology master’s programs focus more on analyzing and conducting research than counseling pro
grams. Students explore research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, and statistical procedures in detail. A typical curriculum emphasizes psychometric assessments, which are standardized scientific tests that measure an individual’s mental capabilities, behaviors, and personality. Practicing psychologists use the results of psychometric assessments to guide work with clients.
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Scope of Practice and Role
Similarities between Clinical Mental Health Counselors and Psychologists
Both clinical mental health counselors and psychologists provide therapeutic services to help people navigate the mental health or emotional issues that make life difficult. Both practitioners work directly with clients, often in weekly sessions, engaging in talk therapy and giving homework assignments.
Clinical mental health counselors and psychologists each require state licensure to practice. However, the overall scope of practice differs according to their training. For instance, clinical mental health counseling programs highlight talk therapy, while a psychology master’s program stresses the importance of clinical assessments.
These roles can overlap. Clinical mental health counselors can use assessments in their practice, and psychologists also receive training to provide therapy.
If you are choosing between these two professions, consider which kind of work you find most interesting and how you want to spend the majority of your time and energy in your practice.
Mental Health Counselor Individualities
- General therapy
- Assist people in day-to-day life management
- Sessions can be more cost effective for clients
- Emphasis on “talk therapy”
- May be involved in conducting research
- Consume and apply research according to clients’ needs
Psychologist Individualities
- Disorder-specific therapy
- Typically administer a wide range of tests: IQ tests, tests of neurological function, etc.
- May administer tests to patients they do not see on a regular basis
- Frequently involved in conducting research
Career Growth and Salary
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- 2020 median annual pay: $47,660
- Clinical mental health counseling jobs are expected to grow 23 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
- Pursue careers in a variety of settings, including mental health, educational, agency, and corporate settings.
Psychologist
- 2020 median annual pay: $82,180
- Counseling, clinical, and school psychologist jobs are expected to grow 8 percent between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
- Many practitioners with a master’s in psychology work in private practice. Others seek employment in research labs, school settings, or on health care teams.
If you have any questions about these career paths or Counseling@Northwestern specifically, request information and an admissions counselor will contact you.
Request More Information
Complete the form to receive information about the online graduate counseling and therapy programs offered by the Family Institute at Northwestern University.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-5
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-6
What Psychologists Do
About this section
Industrial-organizational psychologists apply psychological research and methods to workplace issues.
Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments. They use their findings to help improve processes and behaviors.
Duties
Psychologists typically do the following:
- Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
- Observe, interview, and survey individuals
- Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
- Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
- Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
- Discuss the treatment of problems with clients
- Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others
- Supervise interns, clinicians, and counseling professionals
Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behavior. They use techniques such as observation, assessment, and experimentation to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence individuals.
Psychologists often gather information and evaluate behavior through controlled laboratory experiments, psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy. They also may administer personality, performance, aptitude, or intelligence tests. They look for patterns of behavior or relationships between events, and they use this information when testing theories in their research or when treating patients.
The following are examples of types of psychologists:
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists help people deal with problems ranging from short-term personal issues to severe, chronic conditions.
Clinical psychologists are trained to use a variety of approaches to help individuals. Although strategies generally differ by specialty, clinical psychologists often interview patients, give diagnostic tests, and provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy. They also design behavior modification programs and help patients implement their particular program. Some clinical psychologists focus on specific populations, such as children or the elderly, or on certain specialties, such as neuropsychology.
Clinical psychologists often consult with other health professionals regarding the best treatment for patients, especially treatment that includes medication. Currently, only Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication to patients.
Counseling psychologists help patients deal with and understand problems, including issues at home, at the workplace, or in their community. Through counseling, these psychologists work with patients to identify their strengths or resources they can use to manage problems. For information on other counseling occupations, see the profiles on marriage and family therapists, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, and social workers.
Developmental psychologists study the psychological progress and development that take place throughout life. Many developmental psychologists focus on children and adolescents, but they also may study aging and problems facing older adults.
Forensic psychologists use psychological principles in the legal and criminal justice system to help judges, attorneys, and other legal specialists understand the psychological aspects of a particular case. They often testify in court as expert witnesses. They typically specialize in family, civil, or criminal casework.
Industrial–organizational psychologists apply psychology to the workplace by using psychological principles and research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of worklife. They study issues such as workplace productivity, management or employee working styles, and employee morale. They also help top executives, training and development managers, and training and development specialists with policy planning, employee screening or training, and organizational development.
Rehabilitation psychologists work with physically or developmentally disabled individuals. They help improve quality of life or help individuals adjust after a major illness or accident. They may work with physical therapists and teachers to improve health and learning outcomes.
School psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to education disorders and developmental disorders. They may address student learning and behavioral problems; design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performances; and counsel students and families. They also may consult with other school-based professionals to suggest improvements to teaching, learning, and administrative strategies.
Some psychologists become postsecondary teachers or high school teachers.
