Counseling Psychologists Go Back to List Assess and evaluate individuals' problems through the use of case history, interview, and observation and provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.

Tasks
	Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
	Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
	Analyze data, such as interview notes, test results, or reference manuals, to identify symptoms or to diagnose the nature of clients' problems.
	Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.
	Evaluate the results of counseling methods to determine the reliability and validity of treatments.
	Refer clients to specialists or to other institutions for noncounseling treatment of problems.
	Select, administer, and interpret psychological tests to assess intelligence, aptitudes, abilities, or interests.
	Conduct research to develop or improve diagnostic or therapeutic counseling techniques.
	Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
	Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.

Skills
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Knowledge
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).   Related Experience:   Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

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