For those who have the desire to earn a living helping others with their life’s challenges, emotional issues, relationship dilemmas, and more, a career in therapy may be a great solution. Therapy is a catch-all term that actually covers a broad range of career options, and these different careers may allow you to provide one-on-one therapy sessions with patients, moderate group therapy sessions, and more. Understanding how to be a therapist as a career path is the first step towards entering this niche in healthcare and enjoying a successful and fulfilling therapist career.
Different Types of Therapy Careers
There are several different types of therapy careers that a potential therapist can consider. The educational requirements for each varies, and so it is important to narrow down a career path initially and then choose the appropriate training for the niche in therapy that is desired. Here are some of the more common therapy positions.
- Psychologist: Those who major in psychology work in a more clinical setting with patients, and many of these professionals hold a PhD in psychology. To complete a study of psychology often requires approximately five to seven years of college courses. Often, a license is required to practice psychology, too. These are professionals who may work with mental illness patients, patients with behavioral issues, and more.
- Psychiatrist: While those majoring in psychology learn in a clinical setting, psychiatrist schooling involves a medical education. These are professional who have attended medical school and who have completed residency in psychiatry. They also work with behavioral and mental health issues, but unlike psychologists, they can prescribe prescription drugs to treat patients.
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Family Therapist
Family Therapist: Education for a therapist degree in family therapy can take approximately four to eight years to complete. This is a professional who works in a specialized niche that involves providing counseling services, behavioral strategies, and more to families who are struggling with different issues. This may include child behavioral issues, divorce, grief over a significant loss, and more.
- Substance Abuse Therapist: A professional specializing in this type of therapy may offer individual or group counseling sessions for those struggling with additions to alcohol, drugs, and more. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychiatry, or a related field is required.
- Social Worker: Those considering how to be a therapist and who want to enter into the field of social work may work in a variety of settings that provide social assistance, counseling, and other supportive services to families, disabled or elderly individual, and others. This is a job that generally requires a four year degree, and many professionals do pursue higher levels of education.
Salary Potential
Before pursuing a counseling degree online or entering into a formal education environment for a degree in social work, psychology, or a related field, it is important to note the salary potential for the career niche being explored. There are numerous niches to pursue in the field of therapy, and often income potential is reflective of training and education. However, in general, social workers are among the lowest paid professionals, earning approximately $39,000 per year while psychiatrists are compensated at the highest level, earning approximately $177,000. These are estimates, however, and factors such as work environment, training, and experience will play a role in actual compensation received. While income is a significant factor to consider when making a career choice, it may prove helpful to conduct your own therapist career interview with various professionals as well to explore the work environment, levels of job satisfaction, and other factors.
How to Be a Therapist – Education Requirements
The decision about which area of therapy to pursue will dictate the education requirements. Most areas of therapy do require a four year degree with a specific major, and some require additional education like a Master’s, PhD, or residency. Many options are available for those interested in pursuing a psychologist online degree as well as other online education options, and traditional education formats are also available.
For those interested in learning how to be a therapist, the first step is to fully explore the therapy career paths available and finding the path that best suits an interest level, desired work environment, and income level. Then pursue a specialized educational path suited for a career in that area of therapy.