By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Gerald Koocher, PhD, Program Director of Clinical Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Clinical counseling – also known as psychotherapy – is a skill area of clinical psychology that can help people overcome emotional or mental health difficulties.
If you’re interested in pursuing studies in clinical counseling or a related field, understanding the basics of what it is and how it’s practiced can be helpful. Gerry Koocher, PhD, has suggestions for the education you might consider as you pursue your options in the field of clinical counseling.
Dr. Koocher is the Capella University program director for the clinical psychology program in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Here, he offers some thoughts about the nature of clinical counseling and where you might find your fit in this area.
A. Skills such as active listening, compassion and the ability to maintain a non-judgmental attitude are essential in clinical mental health counseling. These skills are especially important when working with individuals, couples and larger groups dealing with personal issues that cause emotional discomfort.
While empathy is a core part of the role, it must be supported by education and practical clinical experience. Professionals trained in the latest diagnostic assessments and evidence-based intervention techniques can help people navigate complex challenges, including substance abuse, marriage and family conflicts and ongoing work-related stress.
Psychologists need these skills to support people through stressful life events, including workplace stress, relationship challenges or the loss of a loved one. Their work may also involve the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and other common mental health problems.
A. In a clinical counseling program, you hone skills like critical thinking and communication through a combination of structured coursework, supervised practice and applied learning experiences.
Foundational courses introduce theories of counseling and psychotherapy, human development and evidence-based approaches to help you learn how to analyze research and apply the latest techniques to real-world scenarios.
As you progress, supervised practicum and internship experiences allow you to use these concepts in clinical settings under professional guidance. This hands-on training supports you in learning to integrate key principles of adaptation and coping with real-life problem situations, a central component of clinical counseling education. Another essential skill involves understanding and applying ethical and professional standards in the field.
A. A typical day in clinical counseling often starts with client intake and assessment, during which psychologists gather background information and test data. This allows them to understand current concerns and set goals for care.
Ongoing work usually involves scheduled counseling sessions, progress check-ins and documentation to track outcomes and guide next steps.
In many settings, counselors collaborate with other professionals, such as healthcare providers or social workers, to support a client’s overall well-being. Counseling today may also include telehealth sessions, which allow clients to receive care remotely while maintaining professional and ethical standards.
Across these settings, counselors rely on evidence-based approaches and established guidelines to inform their work, ensuring consistent, client-centered care.
A. Typically, undergraduate students with an interest in clinical counseling will begin with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Pre-Counseling and Therapy and then move on to a master’s degree.
Master’s-level education in clinical psychology is rooted in evidence-based practice. Students immerse themselves in psychological theory and learn to apply current knowledge to help their clients solve problems and cope more effectively.
Students at the master’s level will learn to assess clients’ strengths and weaknesses using psychological testing and interviews, and then apply psychological concepts to help clients improve their mental health.
A. In most states, a master’s degree is the minimum required degree for someone practicing in the field of clinical counseling. In all states, a doctorate is required to qualify for licensure as a psychologist.
Professionals in the counseling and therapy field must complete an academic program that meets the educational requirements of the state in which they intend to practice.
Remember that, beyond an academic degree, a state license is also needed. Those interested in obtaining a professional license should review their state’s licensure requirements, which typically include passing relevant exams.*
There are professional doctorates, PhDs or PsyDs, that might fit a student’s goals if they’re interested in pursuing a doctoral-level degree in counseling or psychology.
Capella also offers other programs in counseling and therapy, psychology, applied behavior analysis and social work and human services.
*It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the requirements for your state.
Clinical counseling offers a way to support people facing emotional or mental health challenges, but it also requires clear educational and licensure pathways.
As you explore this field, think about the populations you want to serve, the settings that interest you and the level of education required to practice. Looking at psychology and counseling degree options can help you understand what’s involved and decide whether this path aligns with your goals.
A clinical counselor works with individuals, families or groups to help them navigate emotional, behavioral and mental health concerns, including relationship challenges and family counseling needs. In practice, that means listening closely, assessing what’s going on and using therapy techniques grounded in professional training and ethical guidelines to support change over time.
Clinical counselors may work in a range of settings, including healthcare organizations, community agencies and private practices.
There’s actually not much distinction between the two in psychology today. Clinical and counseling psychologists perform very similar roles, despite having been trained in slightly different historical traditions.
We've received your message and will get back to you soon.