Psychologists who counsel adults are given the task of analyzing the impulses and actions they discuss with their clients. This assignment can become much more difficult when the subject of analysis is an adolescent who may be unwilling or unable to communicate the issues which first prompted a discussion with a psychologist. Doctors in this role may find that patience, compassion and support are just as valuable as clinical experience.

Some officials in the fields of education and psychology believe that the U.S. currently suffers from a large shortage of school psychologists, My High Plains reports. The National Association of School Psychologists determined that a minimum of 1 psychologist for every 1,000 students - a ratio that leaves the U.S. approximately 20,000 school psychologists short.

Frank Smith, director of psychology for the Georgia Department of Education told the news source, "They're spread thin and they usually serve a handful of schools each. So they might be in one school one day and another school the next day."

Those with careers in school psychology are trained to spot potentially troubled students. Many advise that a child's personal and emotional troubles can affect how well he or she can learn and concentrate.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of counselors is expected to increase by 21 percent until 2016, with the number of job openings expected to exceed the number of graduates with degrees in counseling.