A Guide To Becoming A Therapist Later In Life
Career changes can and do happen at any age. While it may seem daunting to switch your profession later in life—especially to a field that requires a lot of education and training, like mental health care—it’s certainly possible. One survey from 2022 indicates that 82% of those who made a career change after age 45 were successful and 87% were happy they did it.
Becoming a therapist can be a powerful way to help others, and it can also be a potential source of significant and steady income. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, therapists earned a mean annual wage of $71,860 in 2022, and certain specialties are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate (18%) between 2022 and 2032. In other words, it’s likely that the time and money you invest in becoming a therapist will be worthwhile. If you’re interested in making this type of career change, read on for what to consider and how to get started.
What to consider before becoming a therapist later in life
Before making any major changes, most people find it beneficial to think things through from all angles.
- Are you dissatisfied with your current work?
- Do you feel that your current job or profession no longer challenges you?
- Do you believe you may be suffering from burnout or boredom with your current occupation?
- Are you hoping to make a positive impact on society?
- Do you feel that you could manage your own mental health while supporting others as a mental health professional?
- Are you willing to go back to school and commit several years to building your professional competency and getting licensed in a new field?
Another aspect to consider is the potential cost—both time and money—of acquiring your license. Becoming a therapist usually requires significant further education, and the total costs may reach tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the school you choose and your current level of education. These degrees also take years to complete, after which you’ll likely also need to do supervised clinic hours and take licensing exams. Being informed about these requirements will be crucial in making this decision for most people.
Steps to becoming a therapist later in life
Deciding whether to make a career switch to the mental health field can be easier once you’re informed on what the switch will entail. Although the process can vary based on your location, your current level of education, and the exact field you want to enter, here are a few basic steps that most individuals will need to take.
Determine your specialty
While not necessarily required in the early stages, determining your specialty can help focus your education. To begin this process, you may want to start by looking at your passions, life experience, and current interests. Some popular therapy specialties to consider include:
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Once you have an idea of the specific field you may want to go into, you can research the qualifications and education they require—which can vary widely from a bachelor's degree all the way up to a doctoral degree. Knowing what level of education you’ll need to achieve can help you determine whether the time and money you’ll have to spend to join a certain profession will be achievable for you. If a particular specialty seems out of reach, it may be beneficial to find something with more attainable requirements.
Earn your degree(s)
No matter which specialty you choose, you’ll likely need to begin by getting your bachelor’s degree if you don’t already have one. In most cases, it’s best to choose a bachelor’s program that relates to your specialty. This may mean majoring in psychology, social work, sociology, counseling, or another field that will help you get closer to your goal. Depending on your previous level of education, getting your degree can take anywhere from two to four years or more.
In most cases, you’ll then need to pursue your master’s degree as well—most likely in a field relating to psychology or counseling. While the pace can vary, your master’s may take anywhere from one and a half to two years to complete (or more if you’re attending school part-time.) Once you have your master’s, you may also choose to pursue a doctoral degree. Doing so can allow you to choose more specialized career paths later, but it will also mean spending significant additional time and money.
Fulfill state licensing requirements
Once you have your degree(s), you’ll want to research the qualifications for licensure in your state. Most require a certain amount of supervised clinical experience, which involves working with real clients or patients while a licensed therapist observes and ensures you provide quality care. You may need to complete thousands of hours of supervised clinical work. For example, Pennsylvania requires those with a master’s degree to complete 3,000 hours, which must be completed in no less than two years but no more than six years. Note that some educational programs will offer opportunities to complete this clinical experience while you’re pursuing your degree.
Depending on your state, you’ll then typically have to complete a licensing board examination. These examinations often pertain directly to your specialty. Examples of qualifying licensing exams include but aren’t limited to:
- National Counselor Exam sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination sponsored by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
- Exam for Master Addiction Counselors sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors
- CBMT Board Certification Examination sponsored by the Certification Board for Music Therapists
- Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination sponsored by the Art Therapy Credentials Board
- Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination sponsored by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium
You may also need to submit personal and professional references to acquire your license. If your references are accepted and your exams are passed, you’ll then be asked to submit an application and pay the associated fees. This process may be done via mail or online, depending on your state. Once you’re licensed, you can begin your career as a therapist.
Finding emotional support during a career change
While a career change can be exciting, it can also be a source of significant stress. In many cases, it can be beneficial to talk to someone during this transition. A therapist can act as a form of support as you decide whether to make the change and as you experience challenges and stressors along the way.
That said, those who are undergoing a career change may find it difficult to attend in-person therapy due to a busy schedule. In such a situation, online therapy can represent a more convenient alternative. You can use a platform like BetterHelp to get matched with a licensed provider and then meet with them virtually via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging. Since research suggests that online and in-person therapy tend to offer comparable benefits in most cases, you can typically choose the format that works best for you.
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