A counselling psychologist is a specialist in professional psychology who deals with emotional, social and mental problems in people ranging from children, adolescents, adults to elderly people. A counselling psychologist helps people focus on their mental well being and improve relations with co-workers and family members.

Counselling psychologists address various issues such as mood disorders, anxiety and relationship problems. They also deal with people undergoing treatment for substance abuse or addictions. They also provide therapy to persons dealing with mental illness after an accident, eating disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorders, bipolar disorder, schizzohrenia and panic attacks.

Behavioural therapists are a type of clinical psychologists who deal with persons with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, anger and self destructive tendencies. Though the role overlaps with that of a counselling therapist, both are different in some functions. A counselling therapist is concerned more with the interpersonal relations of people at various levels.

Counselling psychologists can work in different settings such as hospitals to help people recover from mental trauma. They also help school and college children deal with study stress. They are associated with business organizations for group counselling. They also work with lawyers, rehabilitation centres, prisons, or in private clinics.

In India, to be a counselling psychologist, you need to be a graduate in arts or sciences with psychology as one of the subjects. You can pursue masters in psychology or do a post graduate diploma in psychological counselling.