Full Careers

Which is the better career: becoming a school counseler or a school psychologist?

I'm interested in pursuing a career in counseling in grade school or secondary school, but am not sure whether I should be looking at a school psychology program or a school counseling program. I'm hoping that I can find a job in which I'm able to spend a reasonable amount of time working with kids on issues, problem solving, creating action plans, etc. and not solely focusing on testing. Any insight from those who have jobs in this field (or who are in graduate school in this area) would be appreciated. Also, details about what a "day in the life" looks like would be really helpful, too.

Public Comments

1. Both are very good career's with a good pay, always a plus. Sounds to me, by what you said, a psychologist would fit you best.
2. Always go for the higher degree. A psychologist has to go to school longer but on the flip side they make a higher salary from the start and will always have more options to do other things if you're interest's change.
3. I have no experience of being a psychologist, I have worked in a local school as a counsellor - (UK spelling here!) Perhaps it is different in the US, but in the UK, a psychologist is probably going to earn more BUT a counsellor is probably going to benefit more folks - partly BECAUSE they are often cheaper / free and thus more affordable - and also because in many cases, you need do little more than listen to be effective - the psycologists I have met, whilst all good folks, tend to be as interested in the "technical aspects" as the end results - or at least SEEM to be. As for a day in the life. HUGE range:- In my first month, I had clients with issues ranging from "I have a crush on X and they aren't interested" through to "why does mums new boyfriend keep coming into my room when she is out...." And a hefty variety of stuff inbetween. Main issues in school tend to focus around bullying, concern over leaving school / exam results, psarents divorcing/seperated and personal relationships. However I guess this might vary from school to school - especially if more or less emphasis is placed on academic results etc. You definately need to have a really good supervisor in position - or at the very least another counsellor you can download to in confidence. Most of the time the stuff is not too powerful to throw you, but from time to time you WILL be given a bombshell and you not only need to keep your wits about you with the child - but afterwards you also need to look after your own needs and be able to download to a supervisor / co-counsellor within the confidentiality agreement you are working to. It can be hard work - REALLY hard work. Talking to Miss X's father as he collects her from school - and having to be charming when you know he is messing around with her and her sister can really screw your head a bit. Depending on the age of the pupil and/or their wishes and/or the law, you may or may not be obliged to break confidence and report certain issues. As a general rule this tends to backfire if done, as a child then realises they CANNOT talk to you if you are going to call the police on their mum/dad/uncle etc. Tough call. Be prepared for some really tough times. But also some utterly fab ones. Nothing quite gives you a buzz when you realise you have made a REAL and positive difference to the life of someone - especially someone who was "at the edge" and now suddenly sees that life IS worth living after all. Makes you go all goosebumpy. Chat to school heads - see if they can put you in touch with a school counsellor and/or psychologist and listen from a few others who have been there and done it. If you opt for the counselling route, there are many different models to choose from, from Gestalt to CBT, TA to Person centered (Rogers). I am biased of course, but kids DO seem to be less intimidated by an essentially Rogers approach than chairwork with Perls'sGestalt! You might of course choose to train essentially in one but use little elements of others to help move clients who become "stuck". Person centered and a bit of pschodynamic can often be an effective combination. Then give it some thought and work out what is right for YOU. Good luck in whatever path you choose to take. Mark
4. Psychologist, more money, more power. Just keep in mind that f you are in psychology, both are very difficult populations to work with, and limited budgets will drive you crazy.
5. School counselors only need a master's degree and in some states have to have classroom teaching experience before becoming a school counselor (In my state, it's two years). School psychologists, however, do not need teaching experience and typically have a Ph.D (although there are some Ed.S programs). School counselors usually work at a specific school, probably have an office at an elementary school, for example. This may also be the cause for school psychs, but sometimes there's only one psychologist per district and he/she may travel between different schools/grade levels. Also, psychologists deal more with psychopathology, while counselors would probably deal with more everyday student problems. www.princetonreview.com has a career finder and "day in the life" scenarios.