Psychiatrists could also require clinical hours in a hospital during a residency. Although psychiatrists are also mental health professionals, they work in medical environments and require analytical skills and the ability to diagnose conditions and prescribe medications and testing. Therapists also require master’s degrees in psychology, social work, human services, or the study of human behavior, such as master’s programs in school counseling or social psychology. Alternatively, if you want to be a psychiatrist, you must attend medical school.
Once they have completed their education, would-be counselors must conduct somewhere in the range of 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised counseling. The final step is passing a test, such as the National Counselor Examination. Becoming a clinical psychologist takes 8-12 years of education, plus 1-2 years of supervised internship and postdoctoral experience working under a licensed psychologist. The exact requirement for supervised experience depends on each state’s regulations, and the time spent in school depends on your program’s pace and whether you attend part-time or full-time. Although their work overlaps, the terms psychologist and therapist describe different jobs. As a psychologist, you will likely treat people with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and personality disorders.
If you are already fully intent on becoming a therapist, you should strongly consider majors like psychology, sociology, social work or human behavior. To go a step further, you can consider researching and applying to colleges with strong psychology programs. Therapists’ roles and responsibilities can vary significantly depending on the type of therapist. Common therapy types include clinical psychologists, behavioral therapists, marriage and family therapists, child psychologists, psychotherapists, and more. If you aren’t sure yet which type or specialization you’re interested in, keep in mind that the therapy profession as a whole has a profound impact on public and individual health. As a therapist you will help individuals better understand their internal self, cope with life traumas and stresses, and help improve their interpersonal relationships.
Get a master’s degree.
This helps people with mental health disorders get the most out of their lives. In today’s world, where mental health services are increasingly accessible, therapists face the challenge of balancing availability with fostering client independence. While technology allows for constant connection, the true goal of therapy is to empower clients to develop the skills and resilience needed to handle life’s challenges on their own. Explore how therapists can ensure their own well-being and compliance with legal and ethical guidelines. The first step is to research your state’s educational programs and licensure requirements. Once you understand the requirements well, you can start taking the necessary steps to become a therapist.
Although salaries vary based on geographic region, employer, and experience, many clinical psychologists earn over $95,000 yearly. The highest 10% of earners in clinical psychology make $168,870 or more annually. For example, a psychologist in private practice can set their hours but must handle the business aspects of managing a practice. What each of these examples shares in common is that they are all forms of psychotherapy, commonly known as “talk therapy,” as opposed to disciplines like physical or occupational therapy. Graduate school is a big commitment, and it’ll likely take up the majority of your time. Some programs are a year or a half-year longer than the above times; this is because they include an internship or work placement as part of the degree requirement.
- Let’s cover the critical skills great therapists should have, and how to get some experience under your belt.
- So, even if you aren’t making bank, you can expect a lot of job opportunities if you become a therapist.
- Working in private practice often comes with benefits like flexibility in clients and scheduling.
As you enter your career as a therapist, it is essential to hone helpful skills. Communication, critical thinking, problem solving, cultural competency and empathy are a few of the top soft skills therapists should have. Certification is not required in every state but may be required for employment and can be a step toward licensure in many states. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) offers the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
It’s not necessary to major in psychology as an undergraduate, which is good news if you want to know how to become a therapist later in life. For example, some schools require you to take prerequisite courses if you still need a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Others will admit you to a graduate program as long as you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. With that in mind, there is considerable overlap between these two areas, as therapists, like counselors, often have specialty areas and provide their clients with resources or strategies for handling various situations or triggers. Both counselors and therapists are generally required to hold a master’s degree and undergo rigorous licensing processes, which are discussed more in the next section of this article. Becoming a marriage and family therapist, child psychologist, or a specialist in any branch of psychotherapy may require getting additional training beyond the standard licensure.
Education and Degree Requirements to Become a Therapist
Becoming a psychiatrist involves a comprehensive journey of education, training, and specialization journey. These professionals play a pivotal role in addressing mental health disorders through a unique blend of medical and therapeutic approaches. Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) starts with obtaining a master’s degree in social work. This comprehensive education equips you with knowledge of social welfare, human behavior, policy, and intervention strategies.
Is a doctorate necessary for a career as a therapist?
You still have several years to decide this, and the best way to make the right choice is to have a lot of different experiences and see which appeal to you the most. These don’t cover all of the possible specializations out there, but shed light on how different each therapists’ practice can look. The key is to find the area that interests you the most and that fits your personality. She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Before coming to Forbes Advisor she worked on education related content at HigherEducation.com and Red Ventures as both a copy editor and content manager.
Step 2: Find an Accredited Therapy Degree or Certificate Program
Depending on the state you practice in, you will most likely have to complete a certain number of continuing education classes every few years. Try taking continuing education classes related to your area how to become a therapist of practice, the needs of your clientele, and your research interests. You may also choose your continuing education course topics to educate yourself about a new development or research trend in your profession.
Moreover, these practical experiences are an excellent way to build connections within the professional community. Networking with professionals, mentors, and peers during your undergraduate years can open doors to future opportunities, such as graduate programs, job placements, or further specialized training. Choosing to become a therapist in mental health is a decision rooted in empathy, curiosity, and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others.