Steps To Become A Therapist Or Mental Health Counselor
For those interested in exploring a career in mental health, a common question that may arise is, “What steps do I have to go through in order to become a therapist?” The answer to this question may depend on a variety of factors. In this article, we will explore a few of these factors, including what kinds of therapists exist, what each of them do, and how someone interested in working in mental health can become a mental health counselor.
Why do people become therapists?
Individuals may choose to become therapists for a variety of reasons. Clinical mental health counseling may provide a wide range of career specialties to choose from. This may allow those interested in mental health services to pick a niche suited to their interests.
Potential job prospects
Those exploring a career in mental health may also be drawn to the potential job prospects for therapists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors will experience a growth rate of 22% over the next ten years. (Note that the term “substance abuse” is no longer included in the DSM-5 and was replaced with “substance use disorder”.)
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Finally, people may choose to pursue a career in mental health services for selfless reasons. For example, they may have an interest in helping others, giving back to their community, or connecting with those in need of mental or emotional support.
Marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and other types of mental health professionals
Therapy can take on a variety of forms. Before exploring the steps to becoming a therapist, it may first be helpful to understand what sorts of therapeutic specialties exist. Here are a few of the most common types of therapists:
Psychologists
A psychologist is a mental health professional who may focus on helping others navigate mental health concerns, stressors, and other occasional or day-to-day challenges. As a licensed therapist, a psychologist may administer therapy, diagnose mental health disorders, and provide other emotional and psychological support to their patients.
Licensed clinical social workers
Like psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) may also practice therapy. LCSWs may provide support to their patients in a variety of ways such as connecting them with the resources they need to thrive, for instance. Social work may also involve a more prominent focus on patients' social, economic, and community circumstances.
Licensed mental health counselors
Also known as LMHCs, licensed mental health counselors may provide therapy to those experiencing mental health challenges. An LMHC might focus on their clients’ mental health, emotions, and behaviors.
Licensed marriage and family therapists
Also known as LMFTs, a licensed marriage and family therapist may focus on relationships between people. Family therapy can address a variety of concerns, including mental health challenges, marital challenges, and the dynamics between family members.
What are the education requirements and other steps to become a therapist or mental health counselor?
The steps to becoming a therapist may vary based on the type of therapy you wish to specialize in, where you are located, and a variety of other factors. Still, this career path may include a few key components such as:
Understanding the requirements and steps to become a therapist
Because there is variation in the types of therapeutic professions that exist, there is also variation in the requirements for each profession. Understanding the specific educational and licensure requirements can be an important first step in pursuing a career as a therapist.
Obtaining the necessary education
Once you know what qualifications will be required, it may be necessary to complete a certain level of education to start your career in therapy. Obtaining a high school degree, bachelor’s degree, and any other required postsecondary degrees is a typical next step. For example, becoming a clinical or counseling psychologist typically requires a doctoral degree such as a PhD or a PsyD in psychology, while LMFTs and LCSWs may require a master’s degree. Of course, the level of education needed can vary depending on the type of therapy you intend to practice.
Obtaining a license to work as a therapist or professional counselor
After all educational requirements have been fulfilled for your chosen therapist job, you may need to get licensed by the state you intend to practice in. The requirements for licensure can vary from state to state. Many therapist jobs require a certain number of training or residency hours prior to getting licensed.
Deciding how to practice
Some therapists may choose to open a personal practice, in which they work from their own office, choose their own clients, and set their own schedule. Others may opt to work at schools, community centers, support groups, universities, or hospitals.
Maintaining your credentials as a therapist or mental health counselor
Depending on your state and the type of therapy you practice; you may be required to attend continuing education classes or renew your license every few years in order to keep your qualifications up to date.
Exploring online therapy with a professional counselor
Benefits of online therapy
Patients with busy schedules or those with mental health conditions that can make it challenging to leave the house, such as anxiety or depression, may find attending in-person therapy to be challenging. In these cases, the ability to attend therapy from wherever it is most convenient may make online therapy platforms like BetterHelp an appealing alternative. For individuals who need extra support in applying the techniques they learn in therapy, the ability to send messages to a counselor outside of scheduled therapy sessions may also be a useful resource.
Effectiveness of online mental health care
The effectiveness of online therapy has been proven in a variety of studies. A 2017 study found that online cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in the treatment and management of conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and others. Additionally, the study concluded that online therapy is a cost-effective alternative for individuals, especially those living in rural areas who may not have traditional in-person options nearby.
Takeaway
How do I become a therapist?
To become a therapist, an individual has to finish a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field. After earning your college degree, it is important to have your graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling, social work, or similar programs. Attending graduate school provides needed theoretical knowledge and helps you to get to know more about therapeutic techniques.
The next step is you must complete supervised clinical work to gain clinical experience in areas such as trauma therapy, family therapy, or substance abuse use disorder. Most aspiring therapists choose to specialize in approaches or fields, such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
To practice this one professionally, an individual has to pass a licensing exam and meet the licensing requirements of an individual's state or country or where an individual is going to work. This is important to become a licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical professional counselor, or licensed therapist. If you are thinking of working independently, such as in personal practice, additional supervised clinical experience may be required by the state.
Once you are a licensed therapist or licensed clinical professional counselor, continuing to develop skills and upgrading your techniques and knowledge are important. Some therapists engage in continuing education and may pursue specialized training in different areas. One of the examples is eye movement desensitization for treating traumatic events. Maintaining clinical practice and meeting those continuing education credits are also part of the requirements to maintain licensure.
In order for someone to be a professional and licensed therapist. It requires an individual to commit to formal education, clinical work, and lifelong learning to help future clients and patients.
How long would it take to become a therapist or licensed professional counselor?
Becoming a therapist or a licensed professional counselor typically requires a couple of years. It may take six to 8 eight years, and that depends on the circumstances of an individual and state licensing requirements.
Completing a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or any related field may take 4 years. Pursuing a master’s degree in counseling or any other related discipline may take two to three years. Accumulating 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over one to two years as state licensing requirements mandate this. The last part of this one is to take and pass a licensing exam, such as the National Counselor Examination.
What degree do most therapists have?
Most therapists begin their careers by finishing their bachelor’s degree in psychology, social justice, or human behavior. A graduate degree is needed to meet therapist requirements. Many professionals have completed their master’s degree in family therapy, counseling, or trauma therapy. They are part of the requirements to become a licensed master social worker or clinical professional counselor.
For those individuals who want to become or work as a clinical psychologist, additional advanced training and graduate programs in therapeutic approach and developmental psychology are required. Most therapists must be able to complete supervised clinical work and supervised experience before they can obtain licensure.
Some professionals choose to be part of and enter personal practice. It is still necessary to meet those educational requirements and participate in continuing education to maintain their credentials. The exact degree program a therapist pursues depends on their career goals and specialization.
Can I become a therapist without a psychology degree?
You can become a therapist even if you don't have a psychology degree. Still, it doesn’t mean that any course or degree is possible, as that would depend on the educational requirements of your chosen degree program. Many therapists earned their master’s degree in community health, counseling, or social justice rather than psychology.
You would need to develop theoretical knowledge of human behavior and complete clinical training to meet formal education standards. It is important to gain experience through therapy sessions, and you need to know about treatment plans.
It is a different case when you want to become a clinical psychologist or someone who can prescribe medication. You need to have a psychology background. Whether you can enter the field without a psychology degree depends on your specialization and own requirements for licensure in that state. The job outlook remains strong, especially for therapists, with various paths available for those willing to learn, gain experience, and refine skills like active listening and managing their own emotions.
Can you be a therapist without a degree?
Formal education and a degree program are two of the essential aspects if you want to become a therapist. There are opportunities in community health for others if they want to help or support others only. Whether you can practice as a therapist depends on the standards or requirements of your location. Still, it is really important to earn a college degree if you really want to be a therapist or create treatment plans for others.
Is 40 too late to become a therapist?
No, it is not too late for someone to start their career as a therapist at the age of 40. One of the essential aspects of being a therapist is life experience, which can help individuals understand their situations and create effective treatment plans for them. Many therapists start their careers later in life and still build successful careers.
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