I am updating this because I keep seeing so-called “Counseling Psychology” programs that lead to credentialing in either LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) or LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, or something similar, depending on the state.) I am simply patrolling the borders between and among professions.
But “Counseling” is NOT the same as “Counseling Psychology”, and if that statement surprises you, then you should keep on reading. (You should keep on reading anyway, because generally I am pretty entertaining…) The American Psychological Association oversees Psychology, and with an MA in so-called “Counseling Psychology” (which is REALLY “Counseling”) you cannot even think about getting a Psychology license. That is why they get an LMFT or an LPCC–because the program is not overseen by, recognized by, approved by the American Psychological Association.
Yes, you study “Psychology”, but it is NOT a Psychology degree. I studied Counseling Psychology at The Ohio State
University, and was licensed as a Psychologist. I also studied the law around Psychology, but I cannot say my program was “Counseling and the Law”. It just does not work that way, although some prominent schools are presenting their degree programs as if that is OK. In my book, it is not. Counseling is overseen by the American COUNSELING Association, and the LMFT is overseen by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. So you have “Counseling Psychology” programs that, ultimately, are neither Counseling NOR Psychology, but are overseen by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Why not call the program and the degree that, then? Seems misleading, at best, to be honest. Unless they simply do not know any better, which is hard to imagine.
So anyway, when you think about it, it kind of makes sense that Counseling and Counseling Psychology would be different, right? NO! It’s insane, and yet it is what it is, and year after year, prospective graduate students stumble over the not-knowing, causing unnecessary confusion and angst.
And I am about to clear it up for you. Or try.
Counseling is a field that is pretty much what it sounds like. It is overseen and governed by the American Counseling Association (ACA), which has a number of sub-divisions. CACREP (an unfortunate acronym for the “Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) is another organization that approves programs, and so a program is either CACREP Approved or not. CACREP would like to own the world, and I am thankful that they do not. But that is for another blog post.
With a Master’s Degree in Counseling, you can become a professional counselor, an LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in New Mexico), or whatever the specific designation is in your state. (Yes, some states kind of have reciprocity in licensing, and no, it is NOT at ALL standardized, because states like to paint their walls purple if they feel like it, and that is just the way states are….) As of 2009, all 50 states now license Counselors, thanks in no small part to Arnold Schwarzenegger, of all people (no, I am not kidding). You can also get a Ph.D. or an Ed.D. in Counseling, which may qualify you for more academic positions and so on, but does not provide opportunities (that I know of) for any higher level of clinical licensing. You can practice independently and get third party payments with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and the appropriate licensure.
“Counseling Psychology” is a whole ‘nother matter. (Let me be clear—I am talking about COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, housed in PSYCHOLOGY programs, which, I acknowledge my bias, is where Counseling Psychology should be housed–Counseling is a different animal…) It is overseen and governed by the American Psychological Association (APA), as distinguished from ACA. It is a totally different club. In some states Ph.D. Counseling Psychologists are not allowed to supervise master’s level students in Counseling. I know. I used to supervise dozens of masters level Counseling students (not at one time—they have laws about that now). But then I was told no, I was a Psychology Guy, not a Counseling Guy, and I was no longer qualified to supervise Counseling Guy. I said to the Counseling board (this was Ohio—New Mexico is WAY more reasonable): “But my Ph.D. is in COUNSELING Psychology?!” and she answered “Uhhhhh, yeah-(like, hello, you are stupid….)–PSYCHOLOGY.. ..WE are “COUNSELING….”
It ranked as the stupidest conversation, bar none (and I have had some stupid ones, as have you) of my life. It was the Ohio Counselors licensing board. Maybe they changed that rule, and if so I will be happy to rescind my utter scorn for them as an organization related to the helping professions.
To make Counseling Psychology work for you, you have to get a Ph.D. (and remember, there are ONLY three licensable specialties in Psychology—Counseling, Clinical and School Psych.) If somebody’s primary degree is in Social Psych, General Psych, Forensic Psych, Neuro-psych, Research Psych, Industrial/Organizational Psych, Sports Psych—they are not license eligible. So really, do NOT pursue a Ph.D. online in Sports Psych because you want to work with athletes. Bad idea, in my mind. You will never see a third party payment in your lifetime. Get a Ph.D. in Counseling Psych (preferably) or Clinical, and then specialize in Sports Psych (or Forensic, or…..)
