What does a therapist do
A Therapist will help people navigate life’s challenges including anxiety, grief, relationship issues, trauma, stress, and so much more. They’re paid to not only really listen and empathize with problems, but to pick up on patterns, underlying emotions, and unconscious thoughts.
They’ll help people understand why they think, feel and react the way that they do while teaching practical tools for managing them. They additionally help support personal growth and help people build strong trusting relationships.
Why Should I Become a Therapist?
Therapists help people become a more authentic and healed version of themselves. You may find yourself called to therapy if you’re a natural listener, you may be the person who comes to when things are messy and difficult. You may be driven by compassion and genuinely want to see people heal, grow, and realise they’re not alone in their struggles.
Typically therapists will have a natural fascination with the human mind – they’ll ask the deeper questions; Why do people do what they do? How can they help someone change a difficult pattern?
Overall you may choose to become a therapist to help people heal, understand the human mind, and grow individually and with people.
Step 1: Education
Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to become a therapist, getting your education is the first step.
You’ll want to earn a bachelor’s degree in something like:
- Psychology
- Social work
- Sociology
At PBA, we offer multiple psychology degrees that you can use to jumpstart your career
Once you’ve finished your bachelors, you’ll want to start a masters or doctoral degree.
This is where you’ll choose to specialize in the type of therapy that calls to you.
Different specializations include:
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Clinical Mental Health
- Social Work
- Etc
Step 2: Work Experience
During your studies, you’ll most likely be gaining work experience. Though if you haven’t, this is the perfect time to start.
This typically will include completing a supervised clinical experience and gaining clinical hours (between 2,000 and 4,000 depending on your state and field).
You’ll work under a licensed supervisor who will help you apply therapy techniques in real-world settings and develop your very own clinical style.
Step 3: Get Licensed
In order to start practicing on your own, you’ll need a license. This usually includes a state or national licensing exam. You’ll also have to make sure you meet your state’s specific requirements for becoming a licensed therapist.
Common licenses include:
- LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
- LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
- LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
- Licensed Psychologist
Step 4: Keep Learning
During your time as a therapist you’ll need to continue to learn to keep on top of trends, social and societal changes, and new technologies. This will typically be through maintaining your licensure, which will need to be renewed every 1.2 years and taking workshops or courses on topics like ethics, new treatment models, and cultural competency.
Step 5: Add Specializations and Certifications
During your career, you can choose to further specialize, which you can use to work with niche patience and increase your rate.
This can include:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- Trauma-Informed Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Dance Therapy
- Etc.
Start Your Therapy Career with PBA!
PBA offers exceptional degree programs that can help you start your career as a therapist. If you’re positive about wanting to help people and are ready to jump in, then apply for our psychology degree program!
