The BLS’s growth projection for MFTs (15% from 2022 to 2032) is five times as fast as the projected growth for all occupations nationwide. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. It might help to seek programs that feature live online lectures and discussions, so that you can have both the freedom to learn remotely and an engaging classroom experience. While in-person programs certainly deliver a traditional experience, as with most things, what you get out of the program depends on the effort and spirit that you put into it.
However, there are a few different training and educational paths you can take toward this fulfilling career. Learn what these paths are so you can decide the best route for you when pursuing a career as a psychotherapist. Hopefully this guide served as a helpful starting point for your potential future career in therapy.
Step 1: Choose a Therapist Specialty
If you want to be a psychiatrist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist, a hard science degree in biology or human anatomy is a good choice. You may also major in a different field, such as sociology, social work, etc. There’s no undergraduate degree you must get in order to become a therapist, and many master’s programs accept students from all a wide variety of undergraduate majors. The most common prerequisite is a course in statistics, so make sure you take at least one of those in college.
Doctoral Degree
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows the median salary and job outlook over the next decade for different types of therapists.
- These professionals play a pivotal role in addressing mental health disorders through a unique blend of medical and therapeutic approaches.
- Day-to-day responsibilities of a therapist may differ if they work in a private practice, mental health center, substance abuse treatment center or hospital.
- Let’s dive into all the requirements, recommendations, and options, starting from the beginning.
- She completed her master’s in English at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
- This type of therapy encompasses a variety of clinical services whereby therapists use communicative processes to help individuals change unhealthy, unhelpful or detrimental emotional responses, thoughts and actions.
That said, the distinction between therapists and counselors can vary by workplace. For example, many MHCs—particularly those in private practice—refer to themselves as therapists. Day-to-day responsibilities of a therapist may differ if they work in a private practice, mental health center, substance abuse treatment center or hospital. AP Psychology is one of the best high school classes for future therapists to take. Get tips and review what you need to know with our ultimate AP Psych study guide. For study materials, check out our picks for the best AP Psych prep books and get access to free official and unofficial practice tests.
Continue reading to learn more about different kinds of therapy approaches and how each differs in their treatment focus. A doctoral degree is different from a medical degree, although people with PhDs are called doctors. If you want to be able to prescribe psychotropic medication to people, you will have to attend medical school and train to become a physician or psychiatrist. To support mental healthcare by acting as a complete resource for students interested in entering or advancing their education in the counseling and psychology fields. Obtaining licensure ensures that therapists adhere to ethical standards, possess the necessary skills, and meet the qualifications necessary to practice independently. Remember that maintaining your license requires adherence to state regulations, which often includes completing continuing education courses and reviewing your license periodically.
Step Two: Complete Experience Hours
Studying psychology as an undergraduate will give you exposure to the field, and will allow you to fulfill basic prerequisite courses for a graduate school program in psychology. 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. Therapists are professionals trained to help people manage and overcome mental, emotional, and sometimes physical challenges. They work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, schools, and community organizations. Becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner starts with obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
This can take anywhere from two to three years to complete beyond the bachelor’s degree. On one hand, this is problematic and a bit sad because it speaks to a growing rate of mental health problems, especially in industrialized nations such as the US (see Strivastava, 2009). This said, this trend also means that there are lots of career options in the field of mental health. So there are lots of opportunities for psychology majors to make a positive difference as they advance in their careers. Holistic therapy is a multifaceted approach to treatment that’s also referred to as integrative therapy.
Psychiatrists have the authority to prescribe medication to address chemical imbalances in the brain. Additionally, they use psychotherapy to help people develop coping skills, gain insights, and deal with emotional challenges. Once you decide this field is right for you, there are many ways to get started.
According to the APA, “Many therapists don’t tie themselves to any one approach. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is arguably the most well-known type of therapy featured in this guide. However, it isn’t the only type of behavioral therapy — there’s also a method known as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which differs in its scope and approach. There are numerous approaches to providing therapy — offering students an equally diverse range of career opportunities.
Learn More About How to Become a Therapist
Alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and eclectic therapy, humanistic therapy is one of the major approaches to therapy. This category of therapy is characterized by the heavy emphasis it places upon how to become a therapist self-awareness — and how it can lead to self-improvement. Career Paths can vary widely for therapists by both the employment setting you choose and by specialization you pursue. I’m sure it’s not news to you that there is more to being a therapist than nodding your head and offering “mhms” in response to a client.
- As addressed in my book, there are more than five different paths toward careers in therapy!
- In order to have the fullest picture possible, we recommend volunteering/working with a lot of different age groups and in a lot of different situations, so you know which appeal to you the most.
- 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.
- With various education programs, training options, specializations, and settings, aspiring mental health professionals have options.
- These experiences will enable you to assess mental health conditions, develop treatment plans, and provide vital patient care.
- AP Psychology is one of the best high school classes for future therapists to take.
For instance, a clinical psychologist and licensed professional counselor can both work with a variety of mental health concerns in various settings. In addition to meeting these educational requirements, you will also need to complete a certain number of hours of supervised clinical experience after graduation from your program. The specific number — for instance, a 3,000-hour requirement — varies depending on your state, a topic discussed in more depth below. Whether you choose to pursue a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, remember that each person completes their education at their own pace and in their own way. You also may transfer schools during your educational process or adjust your major or program focus as you go.