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Psychologist and counsellor
Also called: Counsellor, Therapist
Assesses and supports people's mental health, behaviour and wellbeing.
What the work is
Psychologists and counsellors help people with stress, anxiety, relationships, studies, careers and mental health conditions. Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental illness and need RCI registration. Counselling psychologists support everyday struggles. School, organisational and sports psychologists apply psychology in those settings.
The path is BA or B.Sc Psychology, then MA or M.Sc Psychology, then supervised training. Clinical practice needs an RCI-recognised M.Phil or professional doctorate (Psy.D).
A typical week
- Listen to clients and understand their concerns
- Use tests and interviews to assess
- Plan and run therapy sessions
- Keep confidential records
It suits people who
- Are empathetic and calm
- Listen well without judging
- Keep strong boundaries and ethics
Your path to get there
School (Class 8-10)
- Humanities or Science with Psychology
Class 11-12
- BA or B.Sc Psychology through CUET-UG or university tests
College or fresher
- MA or M.Sc Psychology (CUET-PG and university entrances)
- Do supervised internships in clinics and schools
- Apply for an RCI-recognised M.Phil or Psy.D for clinical work
Working or switching
- Teachers, HR and healthcare professionals can study psychology and move into counselling
- Start with a skills refresh of 6 to 12 weeks: one short course and one TalentMeter assessment to show where you stand today.
- Use returnship and second-career programmes; many large employers in India run them for people back after a break.
- Explain the gap in one honest line on your CV and LinkedIn, and list what you did in it (caregiving, freelancing, courses, volunteering).
- Contract, part-time and freelance roles are a common way back in; they turn into full-time offers often.
Exams and certifications
| Name | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| CUET-UG and CUET-PG ↗ | Psychology degrees | Once a year |
| RCI-recognised M.Phil or Psy.D entrances | Clinical psychology licence | Varies by institute |
| UGC-NET (Psychology) ↗ | Teaching and research | Twice a year |
Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.
Job market
Job titles to search
Who hires
Where the jobs are
These buttons open a live search for "Counselling psychologist" on each job site. TalentMeter does not list or vouch for the jobs there.
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