Psychology is the study of human behavior. Majoring in Psychology can result in many different benefits. One benefit you can achieve is having the ability to handle stressful situations. You will be able to learn how to cope during highly difficult situations. Another benefit of majoring in psychology is that you can obtain a bachelors degree and work in a variety career field. One can further their education and obtain their Ph.D., but it is not needed in order to work in the psychology field. That is a great benefit to know that you can have an undergraduate degree and work while still attending school.

Counseling and clinical are two areas of specialization in psychology that have many similarities. These two are types of psychology that both focus on psychotherapy and counseling. They both are trained to treat people who are battling psychological problems. Many people who suffer from psychiatric disorders can be treated within these two areas of specializations. Within in counseling and clinical psychology they both specialize in therapy. They both work with all types of people of all ages. The training they receive can be earned through universities as well as professional schools of psychology. In both they may work in different places, including hospitals, health care centers or even in private practice.

Counseling and clinical have many differences as well. The Greek word kline, meaning bed, is where clinical comes from. This is one reason Clinical psychology would be held at the bedside of an ill patient. The Latin word consulere, meaning advising, is where Counseling comes from. This explains why in counseling psychology, they advise. In Clinical psychology the student studies mental health, and the occurrences of their patients. Within counseling psychology there job is to provide the guidance and advice to their patients. In counseling psychology unlike in clinical psychology, they focus more on a person with adjustment problems. Clinical psychology focuses on a person who suffers from severe psychological disorders. Counseling psychology focuses on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span. This specialty also focuses on the emotional, social, educational, health related and developmental concerns. Clinical psychology mainly involves research and teachings of methods, procedures for understanding and predicting. They strive to recognize the importance of diversity, roles of gender, culture, race, ethnicity, and other diversity.

A career in the clinical specialty is Clinical Psychologist, and in the counseling psychology specialty is a Counseling Psychologist. A Clinical Psychologist, has to be licensed and they provide direct contact with their patients. They can work in out-patient and in-patient mental health care facilities, schools, and private practices. As a counseling psychologist you have to focus on how problems and people act differently. Their attention is focused on the human traits. Counseling psychologist help strengthen their patients mental health and help them get through everyday life. They focus on things such as marriages, family and substance abuse.

The first step you need to do in order to become a licensed Clinical Psychologist, is to earn a bachelor’s degree. The next step is to either complete the doctoral program with either a Doctor of Psychology or Doctor of Philosophy. This program can take up to five years, and must be accredited by the American Psychological Association. The third step before you become a licensed Clinical Psychologist you have to gain field experience. Of course the last step is to get licensed. As you can see there is a lot of schooling to become a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics the annual salary is $68,900.

A Counseling Psychologist education is the same as a Clinical Psychologist. The first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Key courses such as social psychology, abnormal psychology and developmental psychology is good for exposure. Volunteering within a mental facility or a hospital is also a great way to gain experience and show your future employers that you are dedicated to fulfill your career. The next step is to earn your doctorate degree. You may want to earn a Doctor of Philosophy. With this program it focuses on research within the degree. A Doctor of Psychology program can also be obtained in Counseling Psychologist. Within this program, they prepare students to understand research. A state license is also required to become a Counseling Psychologist. An examination is given and it must be passed. It is very important for a student to research the examination requirements for their state before they take the test.

Twenty hours of continuing education per year may also be required according to your state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual salary of Counseling Psychologists was $72,540.

Many licensed psychologist are self-employed. The key skills for both clinical and counseling psychologists include communication, observation, and analytical skills and the ability to work well with others.