Therapist Job Description: Duties And Responsibilities

For people who are seeking support for their mental health or other life concerns, a therapist may help. In therapy, an individual struggling with a disorder like anxiety or depression or going through something difficult, like a divorce or substance use, could find relief through various therapeutic techniques. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

If you’re considering seeing a therapist, you might wonder what a therapy career entails. Therapists may encompass many professionals, including psychologists, social workers, counselors, and more. These professionals have unique duties and responsibilities for helping clients navigate mental health disorders and manage life challenges. Read on to learn more about counselors, what they do, and how one could assist you.

What does a therapist do?

A therapist is a mental health professional who helps individuals or groups address various mental health problems. One critical task of a therapist is to assess and diagnose clients by gathering details about their mental health conditions, symptoms, stress factors, and personal background. Counselors may conduct tests, evaluate clients' behavior, and look for patterns indicating specific mental health disorders. After a proper diagnosis, counselors can create personalized plans to help treat clients.

Types of counseling

Counselors rely on and employ several different techniques to treat clients. Counselors might use various types of psychotherapy or talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and interpersonal therapy. 

Counselors might use CBT to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts, behaviors, or emotions. Clients can become more self-aware, learning to replace negative thought patterns with healthier ones. With MBCT, counselors teach clients how to observe thoughts without judgment and stay present, which can improve their ability to remain emotionally controlled. Interpersonal therapy focuses on an individual's relationships and how those relationships might affect mental health or quality of life. 

A therapist may specialize in a particular type of treatment or utilize different techniques for different clients, depending on teach client's unique needs and circumstances.

Ongoing assessments and referrals

Counselors may check on their client’s progress throughout this treatment process. They might suggest changes to treatment plans, introduce new approaches and coping skills, or even aid in referring clients to other resources and mental health specialists if needed. Counselors may collaborate with other professionals, like doctors or nurses, to provide well-rounded care and support for clients.

Counseling is not solely for people facing mental health issues. Individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life seek treatment to improve their emotional or mental health, cope with stress, or solve specific problems. Counseling can benefit anyone who desires to understand themselves on a deeper level and overcome their challenges. 

Job responsibilities

Counselors may have several job responsibilities depending on their specialty, location, and other factors. Here are some examples of therapist job responsibilities that might be found in a typical therapist job description:

• Conducting initial consultations and gathering important information about a client

• Diagnosing mental health disorders and developing individualized treatment plans

• Leading therapy sessions with clients individually, as couples, in groups, or with families

• Assessing a client’s progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed

• Working with other healthcare professionals and family members to support clients' well-being

• Keeping accurate and up-to-date records of clients' treatment and progress

In addition to seeing clients, counselors often dedicate time to administrative tasks. Tasks may include:

• Record-keeping for accounting purposes

• Liaising with insurance companies

• Managing payroll for employees

• Marketing their practice

• Responding to inquiries from new patients

• Ordering office supplies

• Supervising staff

• Creating superbills

Continuing education can also be a vital aspect of a therapist's career. Mental health professionals may need to stay informed about research and advancements in this field, which could involve attending workshops and conferences or completing online courses.

What is the typical schedule of a therapist?

A therapist's schedule can vary depending on their work setting and preferred working hours. For example, counselors in a one-on-one practice might see five to six patients a day, with some scheduling longer breaks in between to focus on tasks such as billing, documentation, and session planning.

Counselors typically offer availability during standard business hours (Monday through Friday). Still, other counselors work outside these hours, in the evenings or even on weekends, to accommodate clients' needs. Counselors typically need to be flexible, as last-minute cancellations or schedule changes may occur in this profession.

Skills and attributes of a therapist

Counselors often have specific skills that help support clients with mental health challenges. These skills generally help them understand and connect more effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and with different needs. Here are some examples of important skills and attributes a successful therapist may possess:

• Communication Skills: A therapist typically needs strong communication skills to work well with clients. Communication may include not only speaking clearly and articulately but also being able to convey complex ideas in simple terms. In addition, counselors may need to be respectful and sensitive when discussing personal problems. Strong interpersonal skills can help build trust and rapport, leading to more open and honest dialogue between counselors and clients.

• Empathy: Empathy can be another valuable skill for a therapist, as it may help them understand each client’s emotions, experiences, and perspectives. Counselors who show empathy can create a supportive environment where clients feel more comfortable discussing intimate concerns. A caring approach helps counselors build solid relationships, which may be at the forefront of healing and growth. 

• Listening: One of the most critical skills a therapist can possess is actively listening to clients. It includes hearing words spoken and paying attention to nonverbal cues and emotions behind those. Through attentive listening, counselors can gain insight into a client’s needs and create individualized treatment plans accordingly. 

• Adaptability: Every person is different when it comes to needs and experiences. As a result, counselors may need to be adaptable to work with a diverse range of clients. Flexible counselors can often adjust their therapeutic approach to ensure clients receive the most appropriate care. With appropriate work experience, many counselors can recognize when and how to apply various techniques.

What is the education and job experience of a therapist?

Becoming a therapist may require a significant amount of education and training. The first step usually includes completing a bachelor's degree, which takes around four years. Undergraduate education can serve as a foundation for aspiring counselors, with many choosing to major in psychology, social work, sociology, or a related field.

After getting a bachelor's degree, aspiring counselors continue their education with a master's degree, which typically takes two more years. Some counselors might also decide to get a doctorate, which may require more years of study and research. An accredited master's program might involve a specific mental health field, such as clinical psychology, counseling, or marriage and family therapy.

A therapist’s education may include hands-on experience from internships and supervised practice. Many master's programs require students to complete internships or practicums in mental health settings. That way, they can apply theoretical knowledge to real-life situations. Practical experiences can vary in length, depending on the program and specific licensing requirements.

In addition to formal education, counselors may need to meet state-specific licensing requirements. These requirements may involve passing a licensure exam and completing specific supervised clinical hours. Licensing requirements may vary slightly between states and jurisdictions. Because of this, counselors often need to familiarize themselves with the area-specific rules where they wish to practice. Job descriptions for therapist positions typically list necessary state-specific licensing requirements and any additional qualifications required by the employer.

How an online therapist can help patients

Online counseling can be a valuable resource for people seeking mental health care. Through platforms like BetterHelp, therapists can offer sessions online via video conferencing, phone calls, or in-app messaging. As a result, people can conveniently seek professional help anywhere they have an internet connection. Online therapy can allow a person to avoid long commutes and other obstacles, such as arranging childcare or taking time off work to attend in-person appointments. By eliminating extra stress that can come from high costs, scheduling conflicts, and lack of providers, online counseling can make mental health care more convenient.  

Is online counseling effective?

Research has consistently demonstrated that counseling can be as effective as in-person interventions when delivered online. One qualitative study found that people who underwent online treatment found it beneficial and satisfying. Overall, participants reported having positive feelings about the therapeutic relationship maintained in online therapy. Strong client-therapist alliances can lead to more positive outcomes, allowing individuals to accomplish their goals and stick to their treatment plan with higher success rates.