How to Become a Behavioral Therapist
Behavioral therapists help clients with behavioral problems by teaching them how to change their behaviors. They may also help them modify their environment in order to be more conducive to healthy behavior.
Behavioral therapists are usually best at working with people who have already been diagnosed with mental illness or disorders, but they can also work with individuals who have never had any mental health issues but simply want help changing their behavior.
In order to become a behavioral therapist, you must complete a bachelor’s degree program in psychology or another field related to mental health care. This will provide you with the necessary education and training in order to get started as an entry-level therapist. You should then look into finding an internship where you can gain experience working under the supervision of an experienced professional who has been practicing for some time.
Once you have completed your internship and graduated from school, it is important that you continue your training by taking continuing education classes and workshops on topics such as ethics and confidentiality laws within the field of therapy. This will ensure that you stay up-to-date on current trends within the industry so that you can provide effective treatment for your clients at all times during their treatment plan.
How To Become Behavioral Therapist
A licensed behavioural therapist helps individuals to alter their unhealthy patterns of behaviour by providing professional counselling services. Professionals in this field utilise psychological research into behavioural science to inform their therapy methods, which they typically learn via a university qualification. If you’re passionate about helping others and interested in mental health, you may find a career as a behavioural therapist to be incredibly fulfilling. In this article, we explain how to become a behavioural therapist, note the daily responsibilities and key skills necessary for the role, along with the average income rates per city.
Let employers find you when you create an Indeed Resume
What is a behavioural therapist?
A registered behavioural therapist works with individuals who may experience mental health or behavioural conditions. A doctor or psychiatrist is likely to recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to patients who have difficulty practising self-control for unhealthy habits that affect them physically or emotionally. Behavioural therapists use psychology-informed methods to alter patient behaviour. They aim to change their initial reactions and coping mechanisms to trigger events, emotions or objects. Many behaviour therapists work directly with controlling stress levels to keep the body and mind relaxed.
As a behavioural therapist gets to know their patients, they can tailor specific treatment plans to each individual, increasing the effectiveness of the assigned methods. Professionals in this field may give patients ‘homework’ to complete in between therapy sessions or ask them to practise certain thought or breathing exercises. They may also write reports on each patient and discuss progress with the referring doctor or psychiatrist. If a patient wants to take medication for their mental health issues, the prescribing psychiatrist may ask the behavioural therapist for their professional opinion first.
Related: What Does an Occupational Therapist Do? (And How To Become One)
How to become a behavioural therapist
Understanding how to become a behavioural therapist can help you learn what is required to enter this profession. A behavioural therapist may gain specific qualifications and professional training to develop a dynamic skill set. The following guide can help you become a behavioural therapist:
1. Complete secondary school
To have a career as a behavioural therapist, you typically require a university degree. A secondary school diploma or equivalent qualifications are usually a prerequisite for entering university. High school subjects like psychology and sociology can be beneficial for building up your professional skill set. Taking these subjects may be helpful when you apply for university degrees relevant to behavioural therapy, as it shows the admissions team that you’re interested in the industry.
2. Obtain a bachelor’s degree
Due to the sensitive nature of the work, possessing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study is essential for gaining employment as a behavioural therapist. The most applicable degree programmes to a behavioural therapy occupation include psychology, social work and counselling. These courses may comprise modules that focus on the fundamental principles of cognitive and clinical psychological research.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree can help to develop your technical skills and knowledge while enhancing your soft skills of communication, time management and organisation. Earning a bachelor’s degree in the health, human services or science field may also be beneficial for advancing into graduate studies. A bachelor’s course typically takes three to four years to complete.
3. Earn a graduate degree
Many therapy job positions require education at a post-graduate level. Employers value post-graduate study as psychology is a broad field. This extra tuition can help you to define their area of expertise and passion. Future employers can see that you’re highly knowledgeable in a certain area, such as behavioural psychology, which is likely to increase your career prospects.
Taking a master’s or PhD degree can also develop your skill set, as many post-graduate courses offer opportunities for both independent research and professional work experience. A master’s course typically takes one to two years to complete, whereas a PhD can take around three or four. It’s a good idea to research post-graduate courses in the psychology field to find universities that offer observational rotations or practical internships. This can help you build up your professional resume and discover the daily tasks of a behavioural therapist.
4. Gain work experience in the industry
Gaining professional work experience is fundamental for receiving your therapy license and becoming a registered behavioural therapist. You require a minimum of two years of experience in a professional setting to qualify for all psychologist registrations. You can gain work experience in the industry through university placements, internships and volunteering schemes.
To be eligible for a therapy-oriented work placement, it’s advisable that you apply for a student membership from the Australian Psychological Society. You can join this society for an annual fee and network with over 20,000 members. A membership can open a wide range of professional opportunities, such as observational rotation in a clinical setting. You require an APAC accredited degree to join this, so check to see if your course offers this. Otherwise, your university likely advertises relevant internships. You can also search through the Indeed Job Board for behavioural therapist work experience.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Volunteer Experience
5. Acquire a professional licence
Once you have obtained your university qualifications, you can gain a professional therapist license. You can get this licence through the Australian Psychology Board or the Australian Counselling Association if you meet the requirements. For those who have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in more general psychology, the Australian Psychology Board may be a more suitable choice. For those who specialised in counselling during their degree course, the Australian Counselling Association is more compatible. While both require the same professional knowledge and experience to be registered, it may be necessary to take an examination for the Australian Counselling Association.
You can also be on both registrations, which may be ideal for increasing your job prospects. For example, you can first gain recognition with the Australian Psychology Board and then achieve further certification under the Australian Counselling Association. To check that you’re eligible for a licence, review the mandatory registration standards for the Australian Psychology Board. As a minimum requirement, all prospective psychologists and therapists require six years of relevant education and professional training in total. For the Australian Counselling Association, the requisite is taking and passing an examination, along with meeting the self-regulating industry standards.
6. Apply for full-time behavioural therapist jobs
Once you gain your qualifications, finish your training and receive your registration, you may feel ready to start applying for full-time positions as a behavioural therapist. This step is likely to involve completing application forms and attending job interviews. You can look for available jobs by browsing the Indeed Job Board, utilising your industry network or contacting organisations and clinics directly.
Depending on the specific employer, the nature and location of the job, you may require some additional training or certifications before you can apply. For example, to be a behavioural therapist for children, the job application process is likely to require a professional screening check to ensure you’re suitable for the role. It’s best to obtain these before applying to the job, as it may benefit your application during the selection process.
Related: How to Identify Your Personal Strengths and Share Them in an Interview
What are the key skills required for behavioural therapists?
Behavioural therapists possess a versatile skill set that enables them to enjoy a lengthy and successful career. Consider developing your technical and interpersonal skills if you want to become a behavioural therapist. Typically, a skilled behavioural therapist is:
- an active listener
- a skilled communicator
- perceptive
- a problem-solver
- patient
- knowledgeable of psychiatric methods
- sympathetic
Related: How To Become an Effective Communicator (Plus Tips)
How much does a behavioural therapist make?
The average annual base salary for a behavioural therapist is $42,190 per year. This rate of pay can vary depending on experience levels, your skill set and your specific employer. Regional location can also affect your income because of differences in living costs.
