One main difference is the job description. A Clinical psychologists work to reduce psychological distress in people with mental or physical health problems. Clinical psychologists with substantial and appropriate experience may be called upon to act as expert witnesses and write legal reports or documents. These are who deal with the dirty work and take care of the known factors. A counseling psychologist is a more humanistic approach and personally discusses with the patient issues that are going on and how to potentially solve them. The are more on call and a crutch for people who need help.
The correct answer is B) the clinical psychologist specializes in the treatment of mental disorders; the counseling psychologist specializes in the treatment of everyday adjustment problems.
The other options of the question were A) the clinical psychologist has a doctorate; the counseling psychologist has a master's degree. C) only the clinical psychologist can prescribe drugs. D) clinical psychologists are trained to provide behavior therapy; counseling psychologists are trained to provide insight therapy.
The theoretical difference between a clinical psychologist and a counseling psychologist is that the clinical psychologist specializes in the treatment of mental disorders; the counseling psychologist specializes in the treatment of everyday adjustment problems.
The clinical psychologist work with more serious mental illness such as major mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia. The counseling psychologist treats minor disorders or normal patients that want psychological counseling.
