Counseling Psychologist job description

Job description of a Counseling Psychologist

Counseling Psychologists are mental health practitioners who specialize in treating patients with emotional crises, stress, anxiety and behavioral disorders. Their primary responsibilities include offering patient consultations and implementing individualized psychological treatment. Counseling psychologists utilize psychological theory and research in their therapeutic work with clients.

Clients may present with a variety of problems ranging from anxiety and depression arising from difficult life issues to more serious mental health problems. Life issues could include bereavement, relationship difficulties, domestic violence or the aftereffects of childhood sexual abuse, while mental health problems could include eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) or psychosis.

Practicing as a counseling psychologist requires a high level of training and self-awareness, achieved through personal therapy, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with the client in a holistic, insightful and facilitating way to enable them to consider change. Counseling psychologists work with diverse client groups, including children, adults, students and young people, families and couples, and older people.

They work in many different settings, such as health and care services, hospitals, prisons, probation services, consultancy, and in private or public organizations.

This Counseling Psychologist job description example includes the list of most important Counseling Psychologist duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Counseling Psychologist profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Counseling Psychologist Duties and Responsibilities

Counseling Psychologist job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

Scheduling patient consultations.
Assessing patients and identifying their problems.
Engaging in discussion with patients and making them feel comfortable.
Offering services to all age groups.
Offering both one-on-one and group counseling.
Keeping a detailed account of patient mental health history.
Being patient and building relationships based on trust.
Implementing individualized treatment programs.
Undertaking psychometric testing.
Evaluating patient responses to treatment over time.
Organizing a long-term counseling plan that involves multiple visits.

Counseling Psychologist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Counseling Psychologist job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology.
Attainment of a state license in Counseling Psychology.
Good observational skills and attention to detail.
Empathy and sensitivity when dealing with patients.
Highly analytical mindset.
Good diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Counseling Psychologist starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Counseling Psychologist job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Counseling Psychologist may also reference it in preparation for the interview.