What Is A Therapist?
Many find that it’s becoming more socially acceptable to attend therapy.
Why?
Simply put, most people might experience mental health concerns at some point in their lives—possibly prompting them to explore the possibility of therapy for support.
Working with a counselor can help people experiencing eating disorders, substance use disorder, anger concerns, relationship frustrations and much more. Read on to learn more about what a therapist is, and how they can help across contexts of new and old mental health concerns.
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.
Therapy for mental health concerns often involves therapists talking to a patient to find out what is going on in their lives. Patients can then open up about what is bothering them, and the therapist will listen while offering suggestions for how they can make certain changes. For example, if a patient is experiencing nervousness, a therapist may offer helpful coping strategies for reducing stress, such as journaling or meditation.
Some therapists practice cognitive behavioral therapy, Irvin Yalom group therapy or psychoanalytical therapy. Therapists can treat patients using these different kinds of therapy to help them resolve problems in their lives.
Wondering how to become a therapist?
If you are interested in becoming a counselor, whether that be a speech therapist, psychotherapist, or someone who practices other therapies, you will usually need to earn a degree prior to beginning your licensing process. Most therapists earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Some therapists might also earn bachelor’s degrees in related fields and then move into working as a therapist afterward.
Many jobs for therapists also require a master’s degree. After earning the proper degree, a therapist will need to become licensed to practice therapy—much like other health professionals would need to for their line of work.
A prospective counselor generally needs to complete two years of supervised clinical experience before being eligible to take the therapy license exam. There are state licensure exams and professional exams to consider for this role and many others; including for social workers, marriage and family therapists and other jobs within the health care industry. We do want to note: Requirements for therapist licensure may depend on your location.
While many may choose to explore therapy, they usually find that it can take a lot of work to become a counselor or to pursue their own practice. Therapy of all types (including marriage and family therapy) isn’t generally an easy career to embark upon, but it can be very satisfying for those who have a passion for helping people.
What it takes to be a therapist
Being a counselor is generally about helping others. (For example: Family therapists help members of the family unit). The role of counselor can be a challenging career, and you will be trying to help people during their lowest moments in life. It can be a mentally exhausting job, but it can also be very satisfying.
Being a successful counselor takes qualities such as patience and compassion. The ability to empathize with your patients is key, but you also need to be able to look at situations objectively so that you can help people to address their concerns. Part of this process includes evaluating the “warning signs” for conditions or expeirences people may be having that can affect their quality of life, regardless if they are aware of them or not.
Therapist mindset & means
A therapist’s goal is generally to help the patient overcome the concerns that they are facing. To accomplish this task, many may have to do their best to guide the patient, using talk therapy and other therapeutic methods. It is also imperative that therapists maintain an open mind and avoid casting judgment on patients prematurely, as this can compromise the quality of care given.
If you choose to be a therapist, you may have to help address difficult topics. Even when conversations are uncomfortable, it can be important to maintain an air of neutral curiosity to facilitate continuous progress. Helping people reach their mental health goals can take significant time and effort, but it can be one of the most rewarding career paths to embark on.
How to find a therapist
If you are interested in becoming a therapist, you may want to speak to someone who is already practicing therapy. It can also be helpful to search for and speak to a counselor to better understand your own mental health before attempting to help other people with theirs.
It can be important to take your time to look into your options if you’re wanting to pursue a career in therapy. To do this, you’ll generally want to make sure a prospective counselor is operating a successful practice and that they have experience with providing the type of therapy that you need. There are many types of therapy, so you will want to be specific about the particular type of therapy you're looking for when searching for a therapist.
Using online resources to their full potential is going to make finding a good counselor a lot simpler. You can look at counselor reviews and make your own decision about whether or not a particular counselor is going to be a good fit for you. You can also learn more about the type of therapy you hope to receive.
We do want to note: You may feel like you want to start therapy right away, but it is beneficial to look into what is available before moving forward. Sometimes you will even find that traditional therapy options might not be very practical for your situation. In this case, you may want to consider the many benefits of online therapy.
Online therapy
Online therapy is considered by many to be a fantastic option for anyone who is seeking therapy. You can receive therapy without even having to leave your home; speaking to your counselor in the form of video chat, phone calls or in-app messaging.
Online therapists are scientifically suggested to be just as qualified as those who are practicing at traditional therapy offices—with many clinical sources noting that each modality of therapy offers comparable benefits when compared to the other.
The online therapy method: When? Where? It's all up to you
Online therapy generally allows you to receive various types of therapy without having to worry about how you can fit it into your schedule. You can even schedule sessions over the weekend! An online therapy team often winds up being far more practical for busy professionals and those who have children.
Online therapy can also be a strong option for people who want to seek out therapy in a more discreet manner. You can get the right help without having to fear that anyone is judging you, possibly making it far easier to focus on healing.
Takeaway
What does a therapist do?
A therapist works with individuals, couples, or groups to address mental health challenges. They provide a safe, supportive space to discuss issues and diagnose mental health conditions. Their role varies depending on the type of therapy they provide, but here is a generalized list of some (but not all) of the things a therapist does to help their clients:
- Evaluate and diagnose mental health issues
- Provide counseling and therapeutic interventions
- Encourage personal growth
- Offer specialized treatments
- Measure and support progress
What is the difference between a psychologist and a therapist?
The primary differences between a psychologist and a therapist lie in their education, training, and the types of services they provide. Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD), and undergo extensive training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, clinical practice, and research, often in an area of specialization. In addition to psychotherapy, psychologists are also trained to conduct psychological testing and assessments. Some psychologists specialized in research-based roles and other non-clinical work.
Alternatively, therapists typically hold a master’s degree, and like psychologists, might choose a particular area of specialization such as individual counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or substance use disorders. Therapists focus primarily on providing counseling and talk therapy and may not have the same level of research training as psychologists. Therapists help clients address emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues through various types of counseling, but they typically don’t do testing, assessments, or formal diagnosis.
Are a therapist and a counselor the same thing?
A therapist and a counselor are similar, but not the same thing. Both provide mental health support, but “therapist” is a more general term used to describe professionals trained in various types of therapy, including psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), marriage and family therapy, and more. Alternatively, a “counselor” is a mental health professional who provides guidance and support for more specific issues like career changes, grief, relationships, or stress. They often focus on short-term concerns and problem-solving, while therapists might administer longer-term therapies.
Therapists and counselors both typically hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field and may have specialized training in areas like school counseling, addiction, or career counseling. Counselors may be licensed (e.g., licensed professional counselors or LPCs), and their practice is often focused on specific life issues rather than in-depth psychotherapy.
Do therapists give advice?
Therapists don’t typically give advice, instead focusing on providing clients with the education, insight, and guidance they need to make empowered decisions on their own. Additionally, giving direct advice to a client can be harmful, and in some cases, unethical.
What is a therapist’s responsibility?
Therapists often have multiple job responsibilities centering around helping clients address emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges. These responsibilities might change depending on the therapist’s area of expertise. Typical therapist job responsibilities include:
- Providing clients with a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where they can feel comfortable sharing thoughts and emotions.
- Using active listening skills to understand their client’s issues in an empathetic, respectful way.
- Assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma (with appropriate education and training).
- Creating personalized treatment plans based on the client’s needs, goals, and challenges. Therapists are trained to discern which therapeutic methods are appropriate for each client.
- Providing tools and teaching techniques to help their clients manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional or psychological challenges.
- Guiding clients in self-exploration to help them gain insights into their own thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors.
- Regularly assessing how the therapy is progressing and making adjustments based on their client’s changing needs.
- Maintaining client info by using regulated healthcare laws, except in cases where there might be a safety concern such as risk of harm to self or others.
- Participating in ongoing education and training requirements as outlined by state licensing boards.
- Following professional ethical guidelines as established by governing bodies like the American Psychological Association (APA). These include, but aren’t limited to, avoiding conflicts of interest, maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring appropriate therapeutic relationships.
How can a therapist help someone?
Therapists help people in many ways beyond treating mental disorders. For example, they might work with individuals to cultivate better mental health and overall well-being, establish healthier relationships, and cope with grief. Some people find a therapist can help them build better self-esteem, navigate challenges at work and home, and set and achieve personal goals.
Is a therapist always a psychologist?
While a psychologist can be a therapist, a therapist isn’t always a psychologist. The term “therapist” is a broader description that includes mental health professionals from varying backgrounds and specialties who provide therapy. A therapist can be a psychologist, but they can also be a:
- Licensed professional counselor (LPC): LPCs are professionals with a master’s degree in counseling who focus on talk therapy and addressing specific life challenges for individuals, couples, and groups.
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT): MFTs specialize in working with couples and families to address relationship dynamics and family-related issues.
- Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): Social workers are trained to provide individual therapy and specialized support for obtaining community resources and social support.
- Addiction counselors: These therapists specialize in helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and other forms of addiction. They often work in an ongoing capacity to ensure progress and treatment adherence.
In contrast, a psychologist has a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology. They can specialize in the above areas, but might also engage in research, teaching, or psychological testing and assessments. While all psychologists can be therapists, not all therapists are psychologists.
What are the three types of therapists?
There are many types of mental health professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. Three of the most common types of licensed therapists include:
Licensed professional counselor (LPC)
These therapists focus on helping individuals, couples, and groups address emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. They might assist clients in developing tools for coping with stress, grief, relationship and career issues, and other challenges. LPCs typically hold a master’s degree in counseling or related field and must be licensed to practice according to their state’s guidelines. LPCs can specialize in areas like trauma treatment, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health challenges. They often use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), or exposure therapies. They might also use complementary methods like music or art therapy depending on the client’s specific needs.
Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
LMFTs specialize in working with clients to address relationship issues, family dynamics, communication problems, and conflict resolution challenges. They typically consider how the family system influences the emotions and behaviors of each member. In couples therapy, an LMFT might divide their focus between partners in addition to counseling them together. LMFTs usually earn a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and must be licensed to practice according to state guidelines.
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
LCSWs provide therapy while helping clients access community resources and support. They might work with individuals, families, and groups—often focusing on mental health issues within a broader social context. They are typically trained to respond to crises and provide immediate interventions for mental health emergencies. LCSWs also often collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, and nurses, when more comprehensive care is required. These professionals hold a master’s degree in social work (MSW) and should be licensed to provide therapy in their state. Many LCSWs focus on areas like trauma, substance use disorders, or crisis intervention, while others may work in medical or social service settings.
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