How to Become a Therapist?

Are you thinking of becoming a Therapist or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Therapist, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Therapist job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
"Mental Health Therapist" was the nearest match for you query "Therapist".

Steps to Become a Mental Health Therapist

If you're considering starting your Mental Health Therapist career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Mental Health Therapist and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Mental Health Therapist career.
Contents
1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Mental Health Therapist career path, a Bachelor's Degree in counseling or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Mental Health Therapist internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Mental Health Therapist, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Mental Health Therapist field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Mental Health Therapist specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Mental Health Therapist

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in counseling or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Mental Health Therapist. In general, you can become a Mental Health Therapist after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Mental Health Therapist role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified hand therapist.
4

Advance in Your Mental Health Therapist Career

Following entry-level, there are several Mental Health Therapist career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Mental Health Therapist to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Mental Health Therapist position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Mental Health Therapist career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Mental Health Therapist career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Mental Health Therapist Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Mental Health Therapist career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in counseling can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $73,159 compared to $38,170 for those without that type of degree.

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Related Careers in the Healthcare Industry

Interested in other Healthcare careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Therapist skills. Discover some of the most common Therapist career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Outpatient Therapist
0% skills overlap
12% transitioned to Outpatient Therapist