Psychologist, private practice vs counseling psychologist

The differences between psychologists, private practice and counseling psychologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a psychologist, private practice and a counseling psychologist. Additionally, a psychologist, private practice has an average salary of $81,680, which is higher than the $80,294 average annual salary of a counseling psychologist.

The top three skills for a psychologist, private practice include patients, primary care and private practice. The most important skills for a counseling psychologist are mental health, crisis intervention, and behavioral health.

Psychologist, private practice vs counseling psychologist overview

	Psychologist, Private Practice	Counseling Psychologist
Yearly salary	$81,680	$80,294
Hourly rate	$39.27	$38.60
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	38,463	12,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	6	6

Psychologist, private practice vs counseling psychologist salary

Psychologists, private practice and counseling psychologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Psychologist, Private Practice	Counseling Psychologist
Average salary	$81,680	$80,294
Salary range	Between $57,000 And $116,000	Between $55,000 And $116,000
Highest paying City	-	Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between psychologist, private practice and counseling psychologist education

There are a few differences between a psychologist, private practice and a counseling psychologist in terms of educational background:

	Psychologist, Private Practice	Counseling Psychologist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Northwestern University

Psychologist, private practice vs counseling psychologist demographics

Here are the differences between psychologists, private practice' and counseling psychologists' demographics:

	Psychologist, Private Practice	Counseling Psychologist
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%	Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0%
Race ratio	Black 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, 6.2% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 3.3% White, 76.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between psychologist, private practice and counseling psychologist duties and responsibilities

Psychologist, private practice example responsibilities.

Conduct psychological and psychoeducational evaluations including ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, emotional and behavioral issues.
Assist personnel in identifying triggers leading to relapse of PTSD, negative behaviors and thoughts.
Provision of psychological assessment, psycho-diagnostic evaluation and psychotherapy of patients using brief therapy models.
Provision of psychological assessment, psycho-diagnostic evaluation and psychotherapy of patients using mindfulness base psychotherapy techniques.
Develop training materials for alcohol abuse treatment & rehabilitation services, including prevention of domestic violence, child abuse and homelessness.
Provide consultation regarding appropriate placement/treatment of juveniles in the DJJ system.

Counseling psychologist example responsibilities.

Conduct and write triennial and initial assessments, participate and lead IEP meetings, functional behavioral assessments, behavior support plans.
Advance training in DBT and EMDR.
Establish a join ADHD clinic with one of the local pediatricians.
Provide psycho-diagnostic and psycho therapeutic services to cancer patients.
Develop a team orient treatment plan for patients producing quantitative measurable results.
Develop training materials for alcohol abuse treatment & rehabilitation services, including prevention of domestic violence, child abuse and homelessness.

Psychologist, private practice vs counseling psychologist skills

Common psychologist, private practice skills

Patients, 23%
Primary Care, 14%
Private Practice, 8%
Family Therapy Sessions, 7%
Adolescents, 6%
Patient Care, 5%

Common counseling psychologist skills

Mental Health, 27%
Crisis Intervention, 18%
Behavioral Health, 9%
Social Work, 7%
Psychological Services, 7%
Rehabilitation, 5%

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Psychologist, Private Practice
Psychologist, Private Practice vs Counseling Psychologist

Updated January 8, 2025

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