Becoming a therapist is a process that takes time and dedication. It’s not something you can do overnight. The first step to becoming a therapist is to get a graduate degree in psychology or social work. While there are other routes, these two fields have the best track record for careers as therapists.
Once you’ve earned your degree, it’s time to apply for internships at local clinics, hospitals, and mental health facilities. These internships will allow you to develop professional relationships with people who can help you land your first job as a full-time therapist.
Once you’re working full-time as a therapist, it’s important to keep learning and growing as much as possible. You should take courses and workshops on topics like mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Finally, if you want to become even better at what you do, consider taking an online course in clinical hypnosis or neurolinguistic programming (NLP). These courses will teach you how to use hypnotic language patterns that can help clients achieve their goals more quickly than traditional therapy methods.
How To Become A Therapist
Therapists are licensed to help patients cope with mental illnesses or other emotional difficulties. They offer a non-judgmental ear, complete evaluations, and prescribe non-pharmaceutical treatments. Because of these job responsibilities, empathetic individuals who want to help others often succeed as therapists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), therapists earn roughly $62,000 on average.
Becoming a therapist takes at least eight years. Therapists need to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees and complete clinical hours before becoming licensed. Read on to learn how to become a therapist.
What Does a Therapist Do?
Therapist Career Basics
What is a therapist? Therapists work with clients one-on-one basis or in group settings. Certain therapists help individuals enhance their relationships with family members or partners, while others focus on helping people overcome addictions or mental illness.
Therapists typically work full time, although they may work part-time in some cases. A common place for therapists to find employment is within a hospital or private practice setting. These professionals can also work for themselves and set their own schedules by cultivating their client base.
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Steps to Becoming a Therapist
Step 1
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree in a therapy-related field is the first step to becoming a therapist. You should only consider schools that hold regional accreditation, as other schools offering master’s degrees do not accept bachelor’s degrees from unaccredited schools.
When pursuing your bachelor’s, consider programs such as psychology, sociology, or counseling that teach you how to be a therapist. Earning a bachelor’s degree can cost up to $150,000 if you attend a private program out of state. However, you can attend a cheaper public, in-state program.
Step 2
Complete Relevant Training during your Master’s Program
Some states allow students with a bachelor’s in therapy to practice under a licensed therapist. This way, you can receive on-the-job training that teaches you how to be a therapist while working toward your master’s degree.
Step 3
Complete Supervised Clinical Work
To practice without supervision in any state, future therapists must complete 2,000 to 4,000 supervised clinical hours. During your clinical studies, you may apply your new knowledge in a real-world setting with actual clients.
Step 4
Apply for Licensure
Getting your license is the final step to becoming a therapist. Each state sets its own requirements for licensure, and schools typically align their curriculum to one specific state’s requirement. Before taking the licensing exam, you must complete approximately two years of supervised experience.
Therapist Salaries and Job Growth
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Projections Central, a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored website.
Top 10 States With the Highest Job Growth
Utah: 53.8%
Maryland: 33.7%
South Dakota: 33.3%
Colorado: 30.2%
Georgia: 27.8%
New York: 27.5%
Indiana: 26.3%
Arkansas: 25%
Washington: 23.3%
Virginia: 22.2%
Career Paths for Therapists
School and Career Counselor
Psychologist
Substance Abuse, Behavioral, and Mental Health Therapist
Marriage and Family Therapists
As a school and career counselor, you’ll most likely need to get a master’s degree. You’ll help students develop the academic skills needed to succeed after high school graduation. They also help them deal with emotional difficulties. School therapists who work in the public school system often benefit from paid summers off.
Courses in Therapy Programs
COURSE WHAT YOU’LL DO
Ethics
Navigate questionable situations with integrity
Read case studies, evaluate possible actions, and predict outcomes
Relationship psychology
Examine the social theories that guide communication between spouses, siblings, friends, and coworkers
Learn how to help patients overcome or accept strained relationships
Cultural-diversity psychology
Learn the social traditions and customs that shape human interaction
Discover how to mediate problems that can arise from cultural differences
Clinical psychology
Learn how to assess and diagnose patients
Covers various mental illnesses and how they take effect
Substance abuse therapy
Learn how to help individuals overcome drug addiction
Covers the similarities and differences between forms of addiction, including alcohol and gambling addictions
Components of a Successful Therapy Career
Succeeding as a therapist requires a variety of skills, traits, and tools.
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Skills
One hard skill therapists must possess includes record-keeping, as they must take detailed notes in a particular format for each patient. Therapists must also know the names of mental illnesses and treatments.
Online therapists need technical skills, as they rely on computer software to video chat with clients. Therapists often use software to automate activities in their business. For example, certain software can allow patients to book their own appointments and pay their bills online.
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Traits
Good therapists are empathetic, active listeners with communication and analytical skills. These skills allow therapists to interact with patients effectively and make proper recommendations.
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Tools
Some therapists take notes during a client session with pen and paper. However, they must transcribe these notes to a digital platform to protect patient information. Therapists must also learn how to back up their patient notes to prevent data loss.
Private practice therapists may need additional skills. Since these professionals run small businesses, they must understand basic accounting and marketing to ensure their business succeeds. Self-employed therapists can also hire employees or contract workers to complete these tasks so they can focus on their practice.
Resources for Therapists
American Mental Health Counselors Association
The AMHCA offers career guidance for professionals in the therapy field. Members can attend webinars, access an exclusive job board, and subscribe to the Journal of Mental Health Counseling. This organization also hosts an annual conference where therapists and counselors can share expertise.
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development
This organization brings together professionals who work in multicultural counseling professions. Entry-level professionals who join this organization can benefit from one-on-one mentorship with seasoned professionals.
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
As a division of the American Counseling Association, the IAMFC helps therapists obtain professional training. The association also publishes an international scholarly journal focusing on family counseling.
National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
The NAADAC empowers substance abuse counselors with knowledge. Therapists can earn certification through NAADAC and participate in online training. Members benefit from an exclusive career center with job postings. The association also connects its members with affordable professional liability insurance.
Related Careers at a Glance
How to become a social worker: social work programs and careers
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How to become a counselor: counselor degrees and careers
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How to become a psychiatrist: psychiatrist careers
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How to become a substance abuse counselor
