Tiba Perfumes

The path to becoming a clinical psychologist typically requires a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). Both programs offer research, assessment, and intervention coursework, but Ph.D. programs emphasize research, while Psy.D. Clinical psychologists also complete supervised internships to gain hands-on experience. Once you are ready to begin work as a therapist or counselor, it is important to get to know other people in your chosen industry.

If you are in private practice, you will need referrals, which in some cases can be sent to you by other mental health professionals. You will also likely need to know psychiatrists and other counselors in your area to whom you can refer people who need medication or different services than you can offer them. If you would like to work for a mental health agency or organization, knowing others in the industry can help you find a job once you are ready to start your career as a therapist. To become a therapist, you’ll need to earn an advanced degree such as a doctorate or master’s degree, as we discussed earlier in this article. You may be able to enroll in an accelerated program, such as our online four-week courses at National University, enabling you to earn your degree and move onto the next step of your career faster than a traditional academic track. Throughout your educational journey toward becoming a therapist, you will encounter potential opportunities for learning outside of the classroom.

Graduate school is a big commitment, and it’ll likely take up the majority of your time. If you want to be a licensed therapist, you almost always need to get a Master’s degree; a bachelor’s won’t cut it. So, even though licensure requires a significant amount of time and money, it’s necessary if you want to be a therapist. Every state establishes requirements for therapists to renew your therapist license.

1. Apply for graduate school at a university with a competitive, accredited program related to your chosen career.
2. Isbell Oliva-Garcia is a licensed mental health counselor, bilingual in English and Spanish.
3. In total, it’ll take approximately four years to complete a bachelor’s degree and one to two years to finish a master’s in the US.
4. Working in private practice often comes with benefits like flexibility in clients and scheduling.
5. For more tips on how to set a goal score, check out our guides to what a great SAT/ACT score is.
6. Aspiring counselors take part in supervised clinical training, applying theoretical learning to real-world situations.

What Skills Does a Therapist Need?

These exams test your knowledge of counseling theories, ethics, assessment techniques, and other essential aspects of the profession. Preparing for these exams requires dedication, but they are a crucial step in ensuring you are ready to provide high-quality care to your clients. A therapist can take many different paths, such as becoming a mental health counselor, clinical social worker, or clinical psychologist. It’s important to research what path will be best for you and your career goals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that there will be a 22% job growth rate from 2021 to 2031 for mental health counselors, so this is a great time to consider a therapy career.

Learn strategies to enhance your mental health

1. Read psychology-related books, websites, and blogs, and talk to people in the field.
2. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) usually complete two years of coursework beyond their undergraduate degree.
3. While this section covers the most common options for graduate studies to become a therapist, there are many more types of degrees for different therapy specializations.
4. With so many options available, you’ll be sure to find the setting that best suits your interests.
5. After earning your undergraduate degree, the next step is to earn an advanced degree in psychology.
6. The field of therapy is constantly evolving, with new research, techniques, and ethical guidelines emerging regularly.

Some graduate programs require students to write a thesis or dissertation in order to graduate. Completing a supervised clinical experience, or practicum, is a pivotal step in your journey to becoming a licensed therapist. This hands-on training allows you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings under the guidance of an experienced therapist. During this time, you’ll develop and implement treatment plans, conduct therapy sessions, and navigate complex client issues.

As part of your master’s program, you might have to complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours. Your school may assign you to a counseling center or organization, and these clinical hours may help you meet licensing requirements in your state. After you complete your master’s degree, you may have a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master of Science (MS) or a related master’s degree, depending upon the concentration you choose and the structure of your program. The BLS notes that employment mental health services grew steadily from 2012 to 2022. In general, projected growth for most occupations in this sector exceeds the 3% average growth projected for all occupations nationwide from 2022 to 2032.

Learn About Therapy Degree Options

If you’re wondering how to become a therapist, it is essential to first understand what the job entails and how to meet requirements for licensure. There are other things to be focusing on in college besides just your classes. This is an excellent time to get an internship or do volunteering that’s related to therapy.

It’s also a career whose role in society is in high demand since the pandemic and other global tragedies may have heightened the need for social and mental support. In fact, the job outlook for mental health counselors between 2021 and 2031 is 22 percent and much faster than the average of all occupations (5.3 percent) 2,3. Becoming a therapist can be a rewarding career if you value skills like empathy, listening, and understanding psychological frameworks. After you’ve completed all your schooling and practice requirements, you’re finally at the last step! Licensing requirements vary by state and program, but you’ll often have to complete an exam (this might be done before, during, or after your practical work).

Step 8: Engage In Continuing Education

Professionals in this realm play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, offering support, guidance, and evidence-based interventions. People with undergraduate degrees in other fields are often accepted into graduate programs as long as they make up some of the prerequisite coursework. Sociology, education, and health sciences are good bachelor’s degree choices for students interested in becoming therapists. A licensed social worker often works in the broader community, though this can have specialties as well. If you decide to pursue this psychotherapy role, you might choose to focus on families, schools, public health, substance abuse, corrections, or the community in general. What sort of job outlook exists for psychotherapists and related careers, and what sort of salary might you expect?

And you don’t necessarily need a degree that is formally in the field of “psychology”—in fact, students usually find that there are more career options on this front than they tend to realize. Importantly, note how to become a therapist that there are several other kinds of degrees and paths that lead to careers that connect with therapy. Such other degrees relate to fields such as applied behavior analysis, counseling psychology, school psychology, and school counseling, to name a few. A major in a field such as psychology or social work can give you the strong background you will need to excel in graduate school.