How To Become A Therapist In New York
If you’re interested in becoming a therapist, there are a few steps you’ll need to take. First, you’ll need to get your bachelor’s degree and then apply for a license. Once that’s done, it’s time to decide which type of therapy will suit you best. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a therapist in New York.
How Do You Get A License?
To become licensed as a therapist in New York State, you must first complete an approved program at an accredited school. Then, you’ll need to pass two exams: the written exam and the oral examination. The written exam covers ethics and practice standards for mental health professionals; this test consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be answered correctly within one hour. The oral exam includes questions related to the humanistic approach (which focuses on helping patients develop their own strengths) as well as other approaches such as psychodynamic (which looks at how past experiences affect current behaviors). It also covers issues such as suicide prevention and substance abuse treatment techniques. Once these requirements have been met, applicants must submit documents including transcripts from all previous schools attended; proof of completion of required coursework including clinical hours;
There are many different ways to become a therapist in New York, but it will take time and dedication. This guide will help you get started with your career as a therapist and how you can be eligible to practice in New York.
How to Become a Therapist in New York
Step 1: Earn Your Master’s Degree
You need to earn your master’s degree in order to become a licensed therapist in New York. The program should include coursework that covers clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy skills, and research methods. You can apply for licensure after completing the program.
Step 2: Get Your License from NYSED
After completing your master’s degree, you need to apply for your license from NYSED (New York State Education Department). You will need to submit proof of graduation from an accredited program along with transcripts showing all courses taken. You’ll also need documentation showing that you’ve passed your state board exam and have completed at least 500 hours of supervised clinical experience (this is usually done through internships or practicum).
How To Become A Therapist In New York
How to Become a Counselor in New York
Counselors in New York who have obtained their licensure are known as licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), while those who have yet to complete the supervision portion of the licensure process can have a limited permit to practice.
The state’s premier professional organization for LMHCs is the American Counseling Association of New YorkExternal link:open_in_new, whose mission is “to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity.”
Licensure for LMHCs in New York is managed by the New York State Board of Mental Health Practitioners, a division of the New York State Education Department. Licensure requirements for counselors in New York, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal and “licensure by endorsement,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to LMHCs in the state.
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The Family Institute at Northwestern University info
Master of Arts in Counseling
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NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development info
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
Learn more about NYU Steinhardt’s online MA degree that prepares you to become a school counselor in as few as 18 months. Graduates can pursue certification and employment in pre-K–12 schools. Bachelor’s req.
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Pursue school counselor certification.
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Counselor Education in New York
New York LMHC licensureExternal link:open_in_new requires the completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or other acceptable accrediting agency.
Appropriate degree programs will be 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, with instruction in each of the following core content areas:
Human growth and development
Social and cultural foundations of counseling
Counseling theory and practice
Psychopathology
Group dynamics
Lifestyle and career development
Assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples, families and groups
Research and program evaluation
Professional orientation and ethics
Foundations of mental health counseling and consultation
Clinical instruction
Internship or practicum
Internship Requirements
In addition to the coursework listed above, New York LMHC licensure also requires the completion of a year-long supervised internship or practicum in mental health counseling, which adds up to at least 600 clock hours. This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for licensure.
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Supervision Hours
“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. New York LMHC licensure requires the completion of 3,000 hours of supervisionExternal link:open_in_new, with 1,500 hours of direct client contact.
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Examination
Licensure as a mental health counselor in New YorkExternal link:open_in_new requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE), which tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis and treatment. It is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
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LMHC Licensure Fees
LMHCs can expect to pay the following fees for license application, renewal and examination in New YorkExternal link:open_in_new:
LMHC licensure application and first registration fee: $371
Limited permitExternal link:open_in_new: $70
LMHC Triennial License RenewalExternal link:open_in_new: $175
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LMHC License Renewal
New York LMHC licenses expire every three years. License renewalExternal link:open_in_new requires payment of the appropriate fee and the completion of continuing education. New licensees are exempt from continuing education.
Continuing Education
LMHCs in New York are required to complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) during each triennial renewal term. A maximum of 12 of these hours may be from self-instructional coursework; the rest must be through formal education which contributes to professional practice in mental health counseling. This includes collegiate level courses and professional development programs offered by national, state and local professional associations. All CE must be obtained from providers approved by the New York State Board of Mental Health Practitioners.
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Additional Information
For Counselors Licensed in Other States
The New York State Board for Mental Health Practitioners has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other parts of the United States. This process is called “licensure by endorsementExternal link:open_in_new”. Applicants seeking licensure by endorsement through New York must submit proof of an active and in good standing licensure of at least five years in their originating jurisdiction. Out-of-state applicants must furnish proof of having met equivalent requirements as set forth by New York’s licensing board.
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Average Counselor Salary in New York
New York counselors earned the following mean hourly and annual wagesExternal link:open_in_new in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Type of Counselor Mean Hourly Wage Mean Annual Wage
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
$26.95
$56,050
Educational, Guidance, School and Vocational Counselors
$33.72
$70,150
Rehabilitation Counselors
$18.29
$43,000
All Other Counselors
$31.92
$66,400
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New York Counseling Scholarships
The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to New York LMHCs:
New York City Department of Education Loan Forgiveness ProgramExternal link:open_in_new
Type: Loan repayments
Amount: Up to $24,000
Description: New York City’s Department of Education will assist bilingual school counselors (as well as other personnel) repay their approved student loans in exchange for six consecutive years of service in specific shortage areas.
Mental Health Association (MHA) of Nassau County Awards and Scholarships
Type: Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Description: MHA awards scholarships to students with financial needs as well as tuition assistance to their full-time employees pursuing education directly related to their work.
Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services ProgramExternal link:open_in_new
Type: Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Description: The American Psychological Association (APA), with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, offers assistance to students enrolled full time in APA-accredited doctoral programs and who have a strong commitment to a career in ethnic minority behavioral health services.
Violet and Cyril External link:open_in_newFranks ScholarshipExternal link:open_in_new
Type: Scholarships
Amount: Up to $5,000 for multiple recipients
Description: This award from the American Psychological Foundation is available each year to one full-time graduate student in good standing at an accredited university who has demonstrated a commitment to stigma issues.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment ProgramExternal link:open_in_new
Type: Loan repayments
Amount: Between $25,000 and $100,000
Description: LMHCs in New York are eligible to apply for loan repayment assistance in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) at a site approved by the National Health Service Corps. Funding is tied to HPSA score and is in exchange for two years of full- or half-time service.
Scholarships for Disadvantaged StudentsExternal link:open_in_new
Type: Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Description: The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funds to schools, which in turn offer scholarships to full-time students with financial needs who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are studying professional counseling, among other health professions.
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*Licensure information including requirements, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of May 2022. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.
Last Updated: May 2022
