We surveyed 451 counseling psychologists to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical counseling psychologist. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a counseling psychologist?

Low

High

Working as a counseling psychologist typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that counseling psychologists are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.

Can I learn to become a counseling psychologist?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a counseling psychologist typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a counseling psychologist?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a counseling psychologist. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for counseling psychologists.

Is being a counseling psychologist stressful?

Low

High

Counseling psychologists tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as a counseling psychologist?

Low

High

Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being a counseling psychologist.

How competitive is the workplace for counseling psychologists?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for counseling psychologists.

Does being a counseling psychologist require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for counseling psychologists.

Are counseling psychologists allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Counseling psychologists are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.

Do counseling psychologists have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Counseling psychologists have high flexibility in the direction of their work, allowing them a lot of freedom in how they accomplish their goals.

Is being a counseling psychologist physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a counseling psychologists is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.

Are counseling psychologists exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

Counseling psychologists tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.

Does being a counseling psychologist require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a counseling psychologist.

Does being a good counseling psychologist require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as counseling psychologists.