Master's-Level Counseling Psychologists in Private Practice:

Most information we now have about counseling psychology focuses on the doctoral-level psychologist. However, a number of master's-level counseling psychologists also practice, and many of them function as private practitioners. Unfortunately, we know little about master's-level counseling psychologists, particularly those who work in the private practice setting. We conducted a survey to better understand the characteristics of the master's-level counseling psychologist in private practice. Information was gathered about such variables as practice activities, graduate and career satisfaction, and professional self-views. To compare private versus public sector practitioners, the master's-level private practitioners were compared against a group of master's-level counseling psychologists working in institutionally-based counseling facilities (e.g., mental health centers, student counseling centers). Discussion is provided about the characteristics of the master's-level counseling psychologist in contempor...