Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

What Does a Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Do?

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
• 2Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
• 3Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
• 4Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
• 5Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
• 6Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
• 7Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
• 8Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans or diagnoses as necessary.

Required Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Monitoring
• Learning Strategies
• Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR
• Anasazi Software Client Data System
• Athena Software Penelope Case Management
• B Sharp Technologies B Care
• BlackHawk Canyon Publishers PracticianWorks
• Blueberry Harbor Software Clinical Record Keeper
• Bluewater Management Systems BMCASE
• BRB Software HorizonMIS
• Clinivate Clinitrak
• Comprehensive Affect Testing System CATS

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists Salary