What is the difference between counseling psychology and clinical psychology?
I know the main differences, but what I want to know is can a counseling psychologist work in a psychiatric hospital? I believe I may be more of a counseling type, but I would prefer to work with more severe mental disorders.
LMFT said,
Wrote on September 24, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
Counseling psychologists have a master’s degree.
Clinical psychologists have a PhD.
Both can work in a psychiatric hospital and with a variety of disorders. I don’t know what you mean by “severe mental disorders.” Both can work with schizophrenics, developmental disorders, other mood disorders etc.
The main difference is diagnosis and testing. For example as a counseling psychologist I can diagnose mood disorders (depression, bi polar, schizophrenia), anxiety disorders, personality disorders, etc. I cannot diagnose learning disorders, autism, down syndrome; but I can work with these clients. Also, in a hospital setting the clinical psychologist is likely to be the supervising staff.
If your interest is to do the day to day work, face to face with clients for the majority of your day you are likely interested in being a counseling psychologist. If you are interested in doing some of that, but desire to management/administratvie tasks as well then perhaps you want to go further in school to be a clinical psychologist.