How to Become a Therapist
Becoming a therapist is a rewarding journey that involves a combination of education, training, and personal development. Therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate through life's challenges, overcome mental health issues, and achieve personal growth. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various steps to becoming a therapist, from understanding the role to obtaining the necessary qualifications and licensure.
Learn More: Check out our Featured Guide on BIPOC Therapists.
Therapist vs. Counselor vs. Psychologist
While counselors and therapists focus on providing support and therapeutic interventions, psychologists, with their extensive education and training, are uniquely positioned to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of mental health disorders, conduct psychological assessments, and contribute to research in the field of psychology.
| Counselor | Therapist | Psychologist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Providing guidance, support, and advice to clients facing various life challenges or decisions. | Offering specialized mental health treatment to address emotional and psychological issues. | Diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental health disorders, conducting psychological assessments, and engaging in research and academia. |
| Education | Typically holds a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. May pursue additional certifications based on specialization. | Holds a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field. Requires licensure for practice. | Holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, completed supervised clinical training, and is licensed to practice independently. |
| Scope of Practice | Broad spectrum of issues, including career, education, personal relationships, and mental health concerns. | Specialized in mental health issues, dealing with emotional disorders, trauma, addiction, and other psychological conditions. | Extensive scope, encompassing clinical practice, research, teaching, and expertise in various psychological domains. |
| Treatment Approach | Emphasizes providing practical solutions, coping strategies, and support to help clients navigate challenges. | Utilizes various therapeutic approaches (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy) tailored to individual needs for deeper emotional exploration and healing. | Applies evidence-based treatments, conducts psychological assessments, and may employ psychotherapy techniques depending on their orientation. |
| Setting | Works in diverse settings, including schools, community centers, private practices, or organizations. | Commonly found in private practices, mental health clinics, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers. | Practices in a variety of settings, including private practices, hospitals, academic institutions, research organizations, and government agencies. |
| Clientele | May work with individuals, couples, families, or groups. | Typically works with individuals, couples, or families dealing with mental health issues. | Works with individuals of all ages, addressing a wide range of psychological issues, and may also conduct psychological assessments. |
| Goal | Aims to empower clients to make informed decisions, improve interpersonal skills, and enhance overall well-being. | Focuses on addressing and resolving mental health issues, promoting emotional healing and psychological growth. | Aims to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, conduct research to contribute to the field’s knowledge, and enhance overall mental well-being. |
The Role of a Therapist
Therapists, also referred to as psychotherapists and sometimes used interchangeably with the term counselor, are professionals trained to provide psychological support and guidance to individuals facing emotional, mental, or behavioral challenges. Their role is diverse, encompassing areas such as individual counseling, family therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy. Therapists work across different settings tailoring their approach to meet the unique needs of their clients, including:
- Private practices
- Mental health clinics
- Schools
- Hospitals
Step 1: Choose a Therapist Specialty
The field of therapy offers various specialties, each focusing on specific issues and populations. Before embarking on the journey to become a therapist, it’s crucial to identify your interests and passion within the field. Some therapy career specialties include:
- Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT): A form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving communication and resolving conflicts within families and couples. This is a popular route for therapists – learn more about MFT careers.
- Equine-Assisted Therapy: A form of experiential therapy that involves interactions between individuals and horses, utilizing these connections to address emotional and behavioral challenges, fostering personal growth and healing.
- Existential Therapy: A philosophical and therapeutic approach that explores the individual’s subjective experience, emphasizing personal responsibility, freedom, and the search for meaning in the face of life’s inherent uncertainties.
- Psychotherapy: Employing various therapeutic techniques to address a wide range of mental health issues.
- Music Therapy: Using music as a therapeutic tool to address emotional, cognitive, and social needs.
Choosing a specialty aligns your career path with your interests and allows you to develop expertise in a particular area of therapy.
Popular Therapy Specialties
Explore the diverse world of therapeutic expertise with these popular therapist specializations, where you can discover how professionals tailor their skills to address specific needs and populations.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
Cognitive Behavioral Therapists are professionals who utilize the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors, fostering positive changes in their emotional well-being and mental health.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapist
Dialectical Behavioral Therapists specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a therapeutic approach developed to help individuals with emotional dysregulation, particularly those with borderline personality disorder.
Art Therapist
Art Therapists use creative expression, such as drawing, painting, or other artistic mediums, as a therapeutic tool to help individuals explore and communicate their emotions, address psychological challenges, and promote overall mental well-being.
Step 2: Find an Accredited Therapy Degree or Certificate Program
Acquiring the necessary education and training is a crucial step in becoming a therapist. Most people interested in therapy careers will enter the field through a relevant counseling degree or psychology degree, typically at the master’s degree level or higher. Research and choose an accredited therapy degree or certificate program that aligns with your chosen specialty. Common degrees in the field include:
- Master’s in Counseling or Psychology: A graduate degree in counseling or a master’s degree in psychology includes comprehensive training in counseling techniques and therapeutic approaches.
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: A PsyD or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is ideal for those seeking advanced training and specialization in clinical practice.
- Graduate Certificate Programs: Counseling graduate certificates are shorter programs designed for individuals with a related master’s degree who want to align with specific niche career goals, such as marriage and family therapy (MFT).
- Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Programs: Those who know they want to pursue a career in MFT may choose to pursue a specific MFT degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level.
Accredited programs ensure that you receive quality education and meet the standards set by professional counseling associations. Consider factors such as program reputation, faculty credentials, and available clinical experiences when selecting a program.
Step 3: Become Licensed as a Therapist
Licensing is a crucial step in establishing yourself as a qualified and ethical therapist. Licensing requirements vary by state and specialty, but common steps include:
- Completion of Required Clinical Hours: Many states require therapists to accumulate a certain number of supervised clinical hours before obtaining licensure.
- Passage of Licensing Exams: Most states require therapists to pass a standardized exam, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).
- Ethical and Legal Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the ethical and legal guidelines set by professional counseling associations and licensing boards.
Obtaining licensure ensures that therapists adhere to ethical standards, possess the necessary skills, and meet the qualifications necessary to practice independently. Learn more about counseling licensure and psychology licensure.