DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLINICAL AND COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY

ROHIT BHUTANI

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!!

CAREER IN COUNSELLING VS CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 

There are different areas of psychology in which one can achieve professional recognition and reflect the best-known expertise and knowledge, such as clinical, counseling, educational, forensic, health, occupational, etc. to name a few. 
However, one may find some of these fields overlapping, for example, Counseling and Clinical Psychology. Therefore, It is essential to understand the difference to determine the rightful pathway for your career. 

Let us explore the key differences between the two fields that will help you better understand them and make the right choice for your career ahead: 

 

COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY

 

• The field involves catering therapeutic services to the clients using applications of psychological theories and research. 
• The work involves interaction with the clients and addressing the mental health concerns and also discovering and working upon the underlying problems and causal factors
• A professional deals with a wide array of issues, including grief, relationships, career, difficulties in adapting to lifestyle changes, etc.

To know more, read our blog Counseling Psychology and Social Psychology!

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

• The field involves working with severe mental illnesses to reduce psychological distress and enhance and promote mental well-being.
• The work consists of assessing clients by employing different methods like psychometric tests, interviews, and observations and provide a diagnosis for treatment.
• A professional deals with a variety of severe mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, BPD, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, major depressive disorders, etc.

For more information, read Clinical Psychology & Developmental Psychology!
 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO FIELDS

Counseling psychologists deal with a comparatively healthier population of clients who have less severe pathological mental health problems, whereas Clinical psychologists focus on other serious mental illnesses or psychosis.
  Both the fields partake research, training, and activities of supervision, however, counseling psychologists involve vocational skills training in their work, and clinical psychologists involve projective assessment training in work
  Both the fields overlap to a great extent when it comes to theoretical orientation. However, it has been noticed that clinical psychologists tend to favor psychoanalytical persuasions and behavioral issues. Whereas, counseling psychologists prefer humanistic, client-centered traditions and emphasize on multiculturalism and holistic education.
  Clinical psychologists- primary health and social care settings like hospitals, community mental health teams, private clinics, etc.
Counseling psychologists- counseling service centers, educational institutions, industries, rehabilitation centers, etc.
 

MAKE A CHOICE FOR YOUR CAREER!!

The choice that you make for your education and career in psychology ultimately depends on your interests. Your preference can be determined by the fact that either your interest lies in psychopathology and working with cases of severe psychological disorders or you are interested in catering emotional and vocational support to help people dealing with daily life issues.

The fields provide you an opportunity to elaborate your scope of knowledge and apply your learning in real-time settings. Either way, you will exploit many skills and extensive training to serve the noble cause of helping people with mental health issues.