Psychology is a scientific study that focuses on the behavior and mental processes. Psychology encompasses not only what people do but their thoughts, emotions, perceptions, reasoning processes, memories, and even the biological activities that maintain bodily functioning. Psychologists try to describe, predict, and explain human behavior and mental processes, as well as helping to change and improve the lives of people and the world in which they live. They use scientific methods to find answers that are far more valid and legitimate than those resulting from intuition and speculation, which are often inaccurate. A counseling psychology career will give you many opportunities to work in a field in which you can help people from all walks of life.

Clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists do have their differences, but the main difference is their training and perspective. Clinical psychologists usually focus in one or just a few areas. Their main focus is on people with serious mental illness. Counseling psychologists focus on a wide range of therapeutic skills and the psychologically healthy people. They are generalists and deal with social, educational, and career adjustment problems. Counseling psychologists are generalists which allow them an endless amount of career opportunities. They can work anywhere a counselor is needed and still work with the same type of people as a clinical psychologist does. With a counseling psychology career you will open many doors.

People with a counseling psychology career work in private organizations, schools, and government agencies. They can do individual, group, or family research therapy. They can also teach at the college level and hold educational administrative careers, such as a dean. They can choose to focus their career in substance abuse, interpersonal relationships, eating disorders, neuropsychology, or child development to name a few. For anyone interested in how the human mind works or anyone having a strong interest in human behavior, a psychology degree will get you on the right path. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology is a great way to start but a person should consider continuing their education to help further their career goals.

Anyone looking to start or further their counseling psychology career should consider degrees such as a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology will train and educate students so they can work as licensed Marriage Family Therapists. They will learn basic counseling skills in both group and individual theoretical foundations of counseling psychology and also learn client interaction and intervention skills. A Master of Science (MS) in Mental Health Counseling or Forensic Counseling will prepare the student to integrate knowledge and new skills into a career as a professional counselor.

A Doctorate degree (PhD) will prepare people for an independent practice of psychological counseling. They learn more about utilizing therapeutic services to people and groups facing psychological problems. A counseling psychology career can prove to be very rewarding. Many people have issues they do not know how to deal with or just need a little help and encouragement to get them through. With this career you can be that person.