Counseling Psychologist

Counseling Psychologist maintains equipment and these 26 real tasks describe routine checks, cleaning, and minor fixes you’ll do. The list points to safety standards, logs, and tools like Microsoft Word. Each one shows where we found it, and comes with an AI prompt you can copy and use straight away.

26evidenced tasks
26ready prompts
9tools of the trade
19-3033.00O*NET-SOC code
75,990hold this job (US, BLS 2025)
$100,580median pay/yr (US)
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What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

Half of all Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in the U.S. earn more than $100,580 a year — the middle 80% land between $55,170 and $180,960. About 75,990 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Clinical and Counseling Psychologists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$100,580typical pay / year
75,990people in this work
$180,960+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
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The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

Learning3

Manage crisis situations

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Triage the client on my caseload who called with suicidal intent, complete a risk assessment, notify Dr.…
Triage the client on my caseload who called with suicidal intent, complete a risk assessment, notify Dr. Morales and the on-call psychiatrist, arrange immediate safety plan and 1:1 observation if needed, and log the episode in the clinical record today.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Diagnose mental health conditions

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Assess Maria Ruiz with structured interview and standardized measures, synthesize symptom timeline and…
Assess Maria Ruiz with structured interview and standardized measures, synthesize symptom timeline and differential diagnosis, record DSM-5 criteria met with diagnostic codes, and prepare a one-page diagnostic summary for her chart and referral if required.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordeClinicalWorks EHRjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Discuss treatment plans

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Review Alex Chen's progress notes and outcome measures, outline a stepped treatment plan with goals,…
Review Alex Chen's progress notes and outcome measures, outline a stepped treatment plan with goals, interventions, medication coordination notes for his PCP, and send the plan to Alex before Friday for consent and signature.
The tools that do the workGoogle Docsjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
The daily work21

Collaborate with other healthcare professionals

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Summarise Sara Lee's case, attach relevant session notes and risk history, request case consultation with Dr.…
Summarise Sara Lee's case, attach relevant session notes and risk history, request case consultation with Dr. Patel and the psychiatric nurse next Tuesday, and share recommended medication-monitoring steps and coding details beforehand.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookeClinicalWorks EHRO*NETWikipedia

Conduct clinical assessments and evaluations

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Conduct intake assessments for Maya Patel and complete clinical diagnostic formulations, administer…
Conduct intake assessments for Maya Patel and complete clinical diagnostic formulations, administer standardized measures, code diagnoses using DSM-5 conventions, verify medication interactions with current list, and upload signed assessment notes to the client chart by Wednesday noon.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRO*NETWikipedia

Stay updated with current clinical research

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Scan this week’s journal table of contents for randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses on adolescent…
Scan this week’s journal table of contents for randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses on adolescent depression, save three relevant PDFs with one-paragraph takeaways for the supervision folder, and flag any practice-changing findings in the group chat before Friday.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsMicrosoft TeamsO*NETWikipedia

Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.

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Draft timely progress reports and discharge paperwork for Carlos Rivera and Amina Shah using their session…
Draft timely progress reports and discharge paperwork for Carlos Rivera and Amina Shah using their session notes, include measurement score trends, treatment goals met or pending, obtain required signatures, and file completed paperwork in each client’s chart by Tuesday close of business.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordeClinicalWorks EHRO*NET

Develop, direct, and participate in training programs for staff and students.

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Design a two-hour training on trauma-informed assessment for practicum students: create learning objectives,…
Design a two-hour training on trauma-informed assessment for practicum students: create learning objectives, assemble slides, append three case vignettes and a pre/post quiz, and circulate the package with attendance sign-up to staff two weeks before the session.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft OutlookO*NET

Plan, supervise, and conduct psychological research and write papers describing research results.

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Outline the study protocol for a pilot on cognitive reframing in college students: state hypothesis, sample…
Outline the study protocol for a pilot on cognitive reframing in college students: state hypothesis, sample size rationale, measures, data collection timeline, and analysis plan; circulate the draft to the research team and request feedback within ten days.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsMicrosoft ExcelO*NET

Provide occupational, educational, or other information to individuals so that they can make educational or vocational plans.

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Prepare individualized vocational guidance packets for three clients: summarize assessment results, list…
Prepare individualized vocational guidance packets for three clients: summarize assessment results, list suitable educational and occupational options with timelines, note accommodations, and send the packets with referral contacts before the clients’ planning meetings next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordGoogle SheetsO*NET

Educate clients about mental health

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Prepare a concise one-page handout explaining common anxiety and depression symptoms, when to seek medication…
Prepare a concise one-page handout explaining common anxiety and depression symptoms, when to seek medication review, and quick self-help strategies, then upload it to the patient education folder and notify Tara in intake to distribute at new assessments next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookWikipedia

Oversee the daily operations of information systems

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Review yesterday's system error log, confirm all unresolved tickets assigned to Priya in IT, prioritise any…
Review yesterday's system error log, confirm all unresolved tickets assigned to Priya in IT, prioritise any affecting appointment scheduling, and circulate a two-paragraph status update to the clinical leads by 3pm with required actions and expected resolution times.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft TeamsMicrosoft OutlookESCO

Carry out research to improve healthcare services

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Pull de-identified outcome scores for depression and anxiety from the last six months, calculate mean changes…
Pull de-identified outcome scores for depression and anxiety from the last six months, calculate mean changes by treatment pathway, draft a one-page methods and findings summary, and share it with Dr. Morales and the quality committee before Friday's meeting.
The tools that do the workGoogle SheetsMicrosoft WordESCO

Prepare written evaluations of individuals' psychological competence for court hearings.

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Prepare a court-ready written evaluation of Daniel Morales' psychological competence for the May 12 hearing:…
Prepare a court-ready written evaluation of Daniel Morales' psychological competence for the May 12 hearing: review interview notes, assessment scores, medication list, and collateral reports, state opinion with supporting findings and clear recommendations for the judge.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Observe individuals at play, in group interactions, or in other contexts to detect indications of cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.

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Observe the Smith group session on Tuesday at 10am and write an incident-and-behavioral narrative noting play…
Observe the Smith group session on Tuesday at 10am and write an incident-and-behavioral narrative noting play interaction, turn-taking, symbolic play, social reciprocity, and any signs of intellectual or developmental disability for inclusion in the diagnostic record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Administer diagnostic tests

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Administer the Battery of cognitive and adaptive diagnostic tests to Maria Santos on Thursday, record raw…
Administer the Battery of cognitive and adaptive diagnostic tests to Maria Santos on Thursday, record raw scores, note test behavior and effort, score per manuals, convert to standardized scores, and produce an interpreted summary for the file.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions

Research behavior patterns

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Conduct a chart review and cohort analysis of last six months' referrals to identify recurring behavior…
Conduct a chart review and cohort analysis of last six months' referrals to identify recurring behavior patterns: extract presenting problems, diagnoses, comorbidities, and service utilization, then summarise trends and clinical implications.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions

Identify emotional issues

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Assess each new intake for emotional issues: interview for mood, anxiety, trauma history, observe affect and…
Assess each new intake for emotional issues: interview for mood, anxiety, trauma history, observe affect and cognition, rate severity, assign provisional formulation and treatment priorities, and document clear safety plans if needed.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions

Write research papers

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Draft the empirical paper on the single-case CBT study with complete methods, results tables, and clinical…
Draft the empirical paper on the single-case CBT study with complete methods, results tables, and clinical coding appendix, put citations in APA7, proofread for clarity and send the final manuscript to my coauthor Dr. Hernandez by Wednesday for submission to the journal.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordGoogle Docsjob descriptions

Share findings with others

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Prepare a 20‑minute presentation of the study findings with three clinical vignettes, clear takeaways for…
Prepare a 20‑minute presentation of the study findings with three clinical vignettes, clear takeaways for therapists, and speaker notes, then invite the department and Dr. Patel to the session next Tuesday at 2 pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions

Apply theoretical models to understand client issues

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Write a clinical formulation applying cognitive‑behavioral, attachment, and systemic models to client Sara…
Write a clinical formulation applying cognitive‑behavioral, attachment, and systemic models to client Sara Jones using intake data and session notes, highlight testable hypotheses and three prioritized intervention targets for the next four sessions.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordAnasazi Software Client DataWikipedia

Monitor and evaluate client progress

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Update Sara Jones's progress note summary for the last eight sessions, calculate weekly symptom change, flag…
Update Sara Jones's progress note summary for the last eight sessions, calculate weekly symptom change, flag stagnation or deterioration, and prepare a one‑page monitoring report for the upcoming supervision on Friday.
The tools that do the workAnasazi Software Client DataMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia

Implement evidence-based interventions

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Design an evidence‑based intervention plan for Sara Jones integrating exposure, behavioral activation, and…
Design an evidence‑based intervention plan for Sara Jones integrating exposure, behavioral activation, and relapse prevention, list session-by-session goals for eight weeks and required homework, then share with her and the care coordinator.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookWikipedia

Ensure confidentiality and ethical standards

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Audit my caseload documentation for HIPAA compliance, remove any identifiers from shared reports, confirm…
Audit my caseload documentation for HIPAA compliance, remove any identifiers from shared reports, confirm consent forms are signed, and produce an ethics checklist for the clinic meeting next Monday.
The tools that do the workAnasazi Software Client DataMicrosoft WordWikipedia
Keeping the record2

Survey clients

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Create a short client experience survey for the anxiety group, include 8 Likert and two open questions,…
Create a short client experience survey for the anxiety group, include 8 Likert and two open questions, distribute it to the ten participants by Wednesday, and compile anonymised results into a one‑page summary.
The tools that do the workGoogle SheetsGoogle Docsjob descriptionsWikipedia

Provide psychotherapy

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Prepare for a 50‑minute psychotherapy session with Jamal Torres: review last three session notes, set two…
Prepare for a 50‑minute psychotherapy session with Jamal Torres: review last three session notes, set two measurable goals for today, select CBT interventions and homework, and update the treatment log after session ends.
The tools that do the workeClinicalWorks EHRjob descriptionsO*NET

Says who?

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The logs, files & records this job keeps

Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.

Related careers

Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.

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