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Clinical psychologist-licensed vs licensed professional counselor

The differences between clinical psychologist-licenseds and licensed professional counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clinical psychologist-licensed, becoming a licensed professional counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a clinical psychologist-licensed has an average salary of $96,135, which is higher than the $94,675 average annual salary of a licensed professional counselor.

The top three skills for a clinical psychologist-licensed include rehabilitation, patients and family therapy. The most important skills for a licensed professional counselor are patients, social work, and LPC.

Clinical psychologist-licensed vs licensed professional counselor overview

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedLicensed Professional Counselor
Yearly salary$96,135$94,675
Hourly rate$46.22$45.52
Growth rate14%6%
Number of jobs83,526153,612
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Master's Degree, 48%
Average age4341
Years of experience24

What does a clinical psychologist-licensed do?

A licensed clinical psychologist specializes in diagnosing and treating various emotional, behavioral, and psychological issues. Part of their job is to conduct initial interviews and assessments to identify the patients' needs, study their medical history, coordinate with fellow health care professionals, develop intervention and treatment plans, and provide regular counseling sessions, monitoring the patients' progress. They may also conduct research and analyses, assess the clients' risks, and work together with the clients' families to ensure the client's welfare.

What does a licensed professional counselor do?

A licensed professional counselor is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing therapy and counseling to patients with emotional and mental health issues. They listen to their patients and utilize various techniques to address concerns and help through the healing procedures. Their duties entail conducting interviews and evaluations, performing research and assessments, studying the patients' medical histories, providing consultations, and developing treatment plans that suit every patients' needs. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor monitors and records their patients' progress, adjusting treatments and medications as necessary.

Clinical psychologist-licensed vs licensed professional counselor salary

Clinical psychologist-licenseds and licensed professional counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedLicensed Professional Counselor
Average salary$96,135$94,675
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $129,000Between $73,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyKaiser PermanenteBloomberg
Best paying industryProfessionalReal Estate

Differences between clinical psychologist-licensed and licensed professional counselor education

There are a few differences between a clinical psychologist-licensed and a licensed professional counselor in terms of educational background:

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedLicensed Professional Counselor
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 45%Master's Degree, 48%
Most common majorClinical PsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNorthwestern University

Clinical psychologist-licensed vs licensed professional counselor demographics

Here are the differences between clinical psychologist-licenseds' and licensed professional counselors' demographics:

Clinical Psychologist-LicensedLicensed Professional Counselor
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 3.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between clinical psychologist-licensed and licensed professional counselor duties and responsibilities

Clinical psychologist-licensed example responsibilities.

  • Provide individual and family psychotherapy for adult and geriatric nursing-home patients including crisis intervention, treatment planning, and medical consultations.
  • Provide parent-support and training for parents with toddlers or young children recently diagnose with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Provide psychological screening, evaluation, and treatment for individuals in rehabilitation and nursing home settings.
  • Generate positive results from recommendations such as decreasing PRN usage, minimizing require staff observations, and discharging previously problematic patients.
  • Conduct psychological and psychoeducational testing evaluations for disability and vocational rehabilitation.
  • Provide cognitive behavioral treatment for members with PTSD from combat and sexual assault.
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Licensed professional counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Provide clinical supervision to LPC candidates, contract clinicians and counseling psychology practicum/internship students.
  • Assign, direct, and provide supervision of screening assessment complete by LPC and LCSW.
  • Conduct intakes and assessments on new admissions and recommend placement into services base on ASAM criteria.
  • Coordinate with the patient's family, attending physician, other hospitals and agencies following HIPAA standards.
  • Specialize in OCD and animal assist psychotherapy.
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Clinical psychologist-licensed vs licensed professional counselor skills

Common clinical psychologist-licensed skills
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Family Therapy, 11%
  • Group Therapy, 9%
  • Mental Illness, 7%
  • Social Work, 7%
Common licensed professional counselor skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • LPC, 10%
  • Real Estate, 10%
  • Individual Therapy, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%

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