Counseling Psychologist: Getting down and psychoanalytical with Sigmund Freud!

Introduction
Go for your doctorate. Seriously. You need it to get anywhere in this profession. That should be your first and only goal. After that, you can get a practicing license, which you most certainly should! That's where the real money lies. The requirements and examination for it vary from state to state, as far as I know. Also, most states, like NY, require continuing education for license renewals. So, continue to study and read about new developments in the field. The mind is a complex organ, and new discoveries are being made all the time. If you want to help your patients, then you'll need the most up-to-date information.

Job Function
Most days, you will see about five or so patients. So, your day always begin with pulling up the files and information for each patient and reviewing it prior to each session. It's tedious but extremely helpful and insightful. Keep careful notes and always outline what ground you plan to cover in each session. That said, the sessions themselves are the best part of your daily routine hands-down, but it's also where 90% of your work and research gets done. The worst part of the day comes at the end where you have to write down summaries and detailed notes on each patient you saw. Why? Because insurance companies want extremely detailed notes on everything. EVERYTHING. Advertisement
Lifestyle
It's a lot of work, much like any other medical field. You do typically work a twelve hour day. Yes, twelve, not eight. But, you can run a good practice right from the comfort of home, so that's great and a plus that not many other medical professions have. I do it, and it's a major, major benefit. Personality-wise, you need to be an extremely analytical person. You also need good social skills. If you are going to have people open up to you and bare their souls, you need to make them comfortable and feel like they can trust you. You are their confidant, and they are paying you to listen to their problems and help them towards good mental health.

Additional Information
Listen and take good notes. You are a detective of the mind, and you're job is to diagnose the mental problems that are plaguing your clients.