How To Become a Therapist: Types & Requirements

After earning a DPT, physical therapists must pass the NPTE from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The exam is offered four times per year, and candidates can retake the exam up to three times in a 12-month period. Deciding to become a physical therapist requires a substantial investment of time, money and energy. Physical therapists work one-on-one with patients who are often experiencing challenges in their lives or careers. These professionals should be passionate about what they do and abide by a strong code of ethics. Some physical therapists work exclusively with athletes, while others specialize in treating patients with certain medical conditions or issues related to gender or age.

Therapists also have very similar alternative career options, including psychologist, mental health counsellor & life coach. Psychotherapists are the only professionals, apart from psychiatrists, who are equipped to deal with mental illness. The difference between the two is that psychiatrists as medical doctors can prescribe medication and psychotherapists cannot do that. They use psychotherapy to reduce the symptoms of a mental disorder and tackle the underlying causes or triggers instead. When we say “therapist,” what we mean is a “psychotherapist.” It is a person trained in psychotherapy, and with a license to practice.

• Urbanization and mental health, Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 18, 75-76.
• Learners whose undergraduate degrees are in subjects unrelated to psychology might have to complete additional prerequisites before starting a master’s in psychology program.
• Instead, therapists provide a safe space for clients to explore the underlying mechanisms of their setback or disturbance.
• For example, a CBT therapist might help someone who consistently lashes out at work to figure out which thought patterns are causing them to do so.
• You can get detailed information about the legal aspects of your future career from your local or regional ethical bodies.

As you can see from the chart, there’s a wide variation in the average salary a therapist can make. Those with a lot of schooling, such as a psychologist, can expect to make over $80,000 a year, while social workers and counselors make closer to $50,000 a year. Average growth for all careers is about 3-5%, and many of these therapy positions are well above that. So, even if you aren’t making bank, you can expect a lot of job opportunities if you become a therapist.

What Types of Therapists Are There?

These are some of the more common examples and there are additional types of practice that you can pursue. If you have a particular interest, discuss it with an advisor and they can point out all your options. First, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a Boston-based suicide helpline, Samaritans. Samaritans provided remarkably good training and experience, but there are many similar helplines in other cities seeking volunteers.

Communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and empathy are a few of the top soft skills therapists should have. Join 550,000+ helping professionals who get free, science-based tools sent directly to their inbox. For example, a marriage and family therapist might help a married couple understand why they have been fighting. Child therapists also help diagnose and treat mental health disorders in children and work with families to support the child.

It also offers a specific course in Maori healing practice in connection with psychotherapy. Besides offering a broad spectrum of coursework for the general psychotherapy program, including general courses on psychotherapy practice, it also offers courses specific to children and adolescents. It takes a person-centered approach, teaching counselors how to develop a relationship with patients where they feel safe, valued, and challenged. To achieve this, the program includes courses that are humanistic and person centered by emphasizing reflection, personal development, and exploration through counseling approaches.

To become a marriage and family therapist, one must first earn a bachelor’s degree, ideally in psychology or a similar field. Laws for licensure require minimum standards for education, examination and experience, according to the American Counseling Association. Most licenses to become a therapist require at least a master’s degree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Therapist

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. After finishing your master’s degree, you must complete experience hours before applying for your license. Experience hours take place in a clinical supervised work situation, sometimes called residency.

While becoming a therapist might be your goal, the steps that you take to achieve it depends largely on the type of therapist you want to become. Therapists work in a wide range of settings and with diverse populations, so start your planning process by considering where you would like to work. Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. https://1investing.in/ Her books, including « 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, » have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  « The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, » is one of the most viewed talks of all time. I got a start in doing this kind of work on the side, while working a full-time job, in two ways that I would strongly recommend to anyone.

Develop career skills and credentials to stand out

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 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. To work in a career that includes therapy, you don’t necessarily need a doctoral degree. 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 that there are several other kinds of degrees and paths that lead to careers that connect with therapy.

Are you looking for a rewarding career in which you can genuinely help people and enrich their lives? While people often assume therapists have to earn a Ph.D. in psychology, there are a few different training and educational paths you can take toward this fulfilling career. Or, you could be interested in a specific type of psychotherapy, such as CBT, and center your practice on helping clients overcome stress, anxiety, and depression. Perhaps you’d like to cater to neurodivergent individuals or women’s issues.

Is becoming a therapist right for you?

The first step may be to consider self-knowledge, truthfulness, and other building blocks on the road to personal growth. Glenn Geher, Ph.D., is professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He is founding director of the campus’ Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program. Urbanization and mental health, Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 18, 75-76.

According to the BLS, therapists who work in physicians’ offices have the highest earning potential, with an average annual salary of $93,880. This wage is considerably higher than the average for all therapists, which is $65,030. Critical thinking can help with analyzing someone’s actions, thoughts and responses to help improve their mental health. As you enter your career as a therapist, it is essential to hone helpful skills.

Be mindful of ethical and legal requirements for becoming a therapist and practicing psychotherapy. You can get detailed information about the legal aspects of your future career from your local or regional ethical bodies. In the US, an excellent place to start is the American Psychological Association (APA).

They help patients manage the effects of chronic pain, muscle weakness or loss of bone density caused by cancer treatment. If these qualities describe you, consider following the below steps to become a physical therapist. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. According to Epstein and Dr. Glowiak, therapists can make anywhere between $20 and several hundred dollars per session (which typically lasts around an hour). With that said, Dr. Glowiak cautions that a full 40-hour per week caseload could prove challenging and lead to burnout.