Counseling Masters vs PhD

[yeeboi]

As far as clinical settings go, is there a difference in the settings and populations you can work with if you get a PhD in counseling over a masters? Or does the difference between the two purely rely in research and academia?

[PsyDuck90]

Both can practice independently. On a clinical level, psychologists have a wider scope in that they can conduct assessments (outside of measures like the Beck Depression Inventory, which masters level clinicians can use). I think there may be more psychologists working with severe and persistent mentally ill than masters level clinicians, but that door isn't entirely closed either. Overall, a PhD is a more versatile degree, but if you know you just want to do therapy, the MA will get you out of school faster so you can do your thing. 

[Le Chat]

I think there are some differences in potential leadership with a PhD in Counselor Education, especially in academic or research settings. If you want to be a director of a university counseling or similar center, or research center you frequently need a PhD in Counselor Ed for those types of positions. A PhD in Counselor Ed also opens up more training potential and supervision if that is something you are interested in.

I have noticed that more university mental health org are looking for people with a PhD in Counseling or Clinical Psychology, and it does appear that the field of psychology has more flexibility overall in positions you can hold. As far as populations go I don't think that the level of education would limit or expand this very much, other than PhD programs can allow more specialization and experience (especially in psychology.)