The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists (2024)

Research

Clinical psychology is the top self-reported specialty, whereasclinical neuropsychology is the top ABPP certification

Cite This Article

Page, C., Stamm, K., Assefa, M., & Khaddouma, A. (2024, March 1). The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists. Monitor on Psychology, 55(2). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/03/top-psychology-specialties


The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists (1)

In 2023, approximately 4,400 licensed psychologists in the United States (4%) held at least one American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) board certification.1 Psychologists were most commonly ABPP board certified in clinical neuropsychology (30%), clinical psychology (27%), and clinical child and adolescent psychology (7%).

According to a 2021 APA survey, the most common self-reported primary areas of specialty among licensed psychologists were clinical psychology (44%), clinical child and adolescent psychology (11%). Behavioral and cognitive is the third most common specialty (10%) and counseling is 10%.2

Number of board certified psychologists by state

The geographic distribution of board-certified psychologists across states is similar to the distribution of all licensed psychologists.3 California (427), New York (295), Florida (279), Texas (258), and Ohio (181) had the largest numbers of board-certified psychologists in 2023.4 California, New York, Florida, and Texas also had the four highest populations in 2023.5

The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists (2)

Specialty areas

The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists (3)

The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists (4)

1 American Board of Professional Psychology. (2023). ABPP directory. ABPP provides certification of doctoral-level licensed psychologists who demonstrate competence in various specialty areas. Retired psychologists were excluded. The authors acknowledge David Cox and Rob Davis for assistance with obtaining data. This report includes 15 specialty boards and one subspecialty board fully affiliated with ABPP in 2023, as well as two new boards in the process of affiliating with ABPP.

2 American Psychological Association. (2022). 2021 survey of health service psychologists [Unpublished special analysis]. A self-reported specialty is separate from formal demonstration of competency in the specialty area. APA recognizes specialties via the Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology (CRSSPP). CRSSPP specialties may have different names from ABPP specialties. This report includes 17 specialties recognized by CRSSPP at the time of survey data collection (Spring 2021).

3 National Center for the Analysis of Healthcare Data. (2022). Enhanced state licensure data [Unpublished special analysis]. Only doctoral-level psychologists with active licenses were included.

4 States were based on addresses listed as residence/office in the ABPP Directory.

5 U.S. Census. (2022, December). Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, regions, states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 (NST-EST2022-OP).

Want more information? See CWS’s interactive data tools or contact CWS.

Page, C., Stamm, K., Assefa, M., & Khaddouma, A. (2024, March 1). The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists. Monitor on Psychology, 55(2). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/03/top-psychology-specialties

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The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists (2024)

FAQs

The most and least common specialty areas for licensed psychologists? ›

Psychologists were most commonly ABPP board certified in clinical neuropsychology

clinical neuropsychology
Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty field within clinical psychology, dedicated to understanding the relationships between brain and behavior, particularly as these relationships can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder, assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning and the design of effective ...
https://www.apa.org › graduate › specialize › neuropsychology
(30%), clinical psychology (27%), and clinical child and adolescent psychology (7%).

Which specialty in psychology is the most widely practiced? ›

Clinical psychologists make up the single largest specialty area in psychology. 2 Clinicians are psychologists who assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses.

What are the three main specialty areas of careers in psychology? ›

  • Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. ...
  • Cognitive and perceptual psychologists study human perception, thinking and memory. ...
  • Community psychologists work to strengthen the abilities of communities, settings, organizations and broader social systems to meet people's needs.

What are at least three different subspecialties within the field of psychology? ›

Personality Psychologists, Identify Characteristics and traits such as; shyness, and friendliness. Social Psychologists, concerned with people's behavior in social situations and settings. Experimental Psychologists, conduct research into basic processes such as the functions of the nervous system.

What is the most common field of psychology? ›

Clinical psychologist have training in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses. This is the largest and most popular employment area in psychology. Clinical psychologists are employed in hospitals, mental health centers, and in private practice.

What is the most common specialty area in psychology? ›

According to a 2021 APA survey, the most common self-reported primary areas of specialty among licensed psychologists were clinical psychology (44%), clinical child and adolescent psychology (11%).

What area of psychology is most in demand? ›

14 Psychology Jobs in High Demand
  1. Vocational/Career Counselor. ...
  2. School Psychologist. ...
  3. Family Marriage Counselor. ...
  4. Engineering Psychologist. ...
  5. Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist. ...
  6. Clinical Psychologist. ...
  7. Forensic Psychologist. ...
  8. Geropsychologist.
Jan 7, 2022

What are the top 3 subfields of psychology? ›

The three subfields of professional psychology are: Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology.

Which specialization is best in psychology? ›

Four Top-Paying Specializations in Psychology
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology. ...
  • Clinical Psychology. ...
  • Counseling Psychology. ...
  • Forensic Psychology.

What are the four major areas of psychology? ›

Psychology includes four major areas: clinical psychology (counseling for mental and behavioral health), cognitive psychology (the study of the mental processes), behavioral psychology (understanding behavior through different types of conditioning), and biopsychology (research on the brain, behavior, and evolution).

What is the hardest branch of psychology? ›

However, fields like neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and forensic psychology are often considered among the most challenging. Neuropsychology, which deals with the brain and its impact on behavior and cognitive functions, requires extensive knowledge of both psychology and neurology.

What field of psychology makes the most money? ›

Clinical psychology, psychiatry, and industrial-organizational psychology typically offer the highest earning potential in the field of psychology. However, income can vary based on factors like location and experience.

What is the most common branch of psychology? ›

Furthermore, clinical psychology is one of the most popular branches of psychology as you can find psychologists working in clinics, hospitals, private practice and some schools. In fact, many clinical psychologists hold academic positions and are engaged in teaching, research, and supervision.

What is the most popular subfields of psychology? ›

The two most popular subfields are clinical and counseling psychology.

What is the largest area of specialization in psychology? ›

The largest subfield of psychology is clinical psychology. As previously mentioned, clinical psychologists specialize in the treatment of various psychological disorders, including mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Clinical psychologists often specialize in treating specific disorders or problems.

What is the easiest job to get in psychology? ›

Entry-level psychology jobs
  1. Camp counselor. National average salary: $39,744 per year Primary duties: A camp counselor is responsible for providing supervision and education to campers. ...
  2. Human resources specialist. ...
  3. Career counselor. ...
  4. Parole officer. ...
  5. Research assistant. ...
  6. Preschool teacher. ...
  7. Rehabilitation specialist. ...
  8. Caseworker.
Apr 18, 2024

What is the most widely practiced form of therapy in psychology? ›

The most common type of therapy right now may be cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). As mentioned above, CBT explores the relationship between a person's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.

What is the most widely used method in psychology? ›

Surveys are among the most frequently used research methods in psychology. Surveys allow psychologists to gather data from large numbers of people efficiently, exploring attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics across diverse populations.

What is the most popular branch of psychology? ›

Furthermore, clinical psychology is one of the most popular branches of psychology as you can find psychologists working in clinics, hospitals, private practice and some schools. In fact, many clinical psychologists hold academic positions and are engaged in teaching, research, and supervision.

In what field do most psychologists practice? ›

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat individuals experiencing psychological distress and mental illness. They also perform psychotherapy and develop treatment plans. Clinical psychologists often work in hospitals, mental health clinics, and private practice.

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