How To Become a Therapist

Have you ever wondered how to become a therapist? Well, there could hardly be a more rewarding career. Our modern world provides us so much opportunity and beauty to partake of and enjoy. However, in the midst of these good things, many people suffer from difficulties, phobias and troubles of various types. Therapists are very necessary and are always in demand. Whether you are a student looking for educational direction or a working professional who has grown weary of your career path, becoming a therapist maybe a perfect match for you. But, how does one proceed?

First, you may want to do a little research to find out what therapists actually do, how many types of therapists there are, and exactly how to become a therapist. Therapist is a word that tends to be used in a generic sense, generally meaning mental health care professional.

Take time to consider your natural gifts regarding working with people. Here are some specific examples of what you may choose to specialize in or focus on. Think carefully and deeply about your interests and in what ways you and your future clients would benefit the most:

ADDICTION:

Many people suffer from addictions of various types. Rehabilitation therapists can be very successful in this field. Clients tend to be very grateful for the help they receive from their therapists as they see their lives take new directions.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR:

Generally, four broad fields are available: ethology, comparative psychology, behavioral ecology and sociobiology. For those with a love for animals and a curiosity about their patterns and behaviors, this might be a match.

ART THERAPY:

Professional entry into this field requires a master's degree as well as post-education supervised experience. As an art therapist, you will use creative processes in order to help your clients improve on their emotional well-being and find healing they might not otherwise experience.

CHILDREN:

If you are interested in working with children then, careers in child psychology or social work may be good and rewarding choices. There are many resources available to learn how to become a therapist for children.

CLINICAL:

A clinical psychologist will need schooling and training in both the practice and theory of psychology. Diverse fields of career would include research, counseling and psychological assessment. Keep in mind that you will typically need a doctorate degree in a psychology related field for this one.

FAMILIES:

Perhaps you want to help couples or families work through common life issues. In this case, marriage and family therapy might be a good pursuit to that end.

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY:

Forensic psychology is the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system. A forensic psychologist is often appointed by the court to assess a defendant's competency to stand trial.

PSYCHIATRIST:

In addition to a doctorate degree in a psychology related field of study, you will need medical training in order to become a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist not only counsels the client, but will also offer a diagnosis and can prescribe medicine.

THERAPIST:

To work as a therapist, very often you may only need a Master's degree in your chosen specialty. However, most professionals recommend a doctorate level degree to in order to maximize the help and counsel you can offer as well as career success.

In addition to looking at your preferences in the world of mental health, you may want to consider motivation and endurance. While a career in therapy can be very rewarding, it is a career where burnout is common. If you are sure that working with individuals in a close and continuous environment is your desire than becoming a therapist should be a good fit. If you are interested, for example, in theories and research then, you may want to proceed differently with your education.

What about EDUCATION?

CHOOSING A SCHOOL:

Definitely do your homework here! You have to consider many factors when it comes to your education. Location, budget and professors are among them. Do a complete check into each college that you are considering. Make sure they are accredited and that they offer a bachelor's degree in the program you have chosen. Ask everyone you know for their thoughts, advice and recommendations regarding colleges and how to proceed in an orderly manner when choosing one. Web sites are extremely helpful in determining the basic offerings of colleges. This research will also help you better understand how to become a therapist.

PROBLEM SOLVING:

ON-LINE SCHOOLING:

Don't forget about on-line learning. It is a fantastic way to earn some or most of your credits. A little research will show you just how many programs are now available on-line. If you are well disciplined and more comfortable in a home atmosphere, then this is a great option for you. Again, make sure the on-line program you may choose is accredited and offers your degree of choice. When possible get references, and even better, talk with people who have actually used these programs in order to get feedback.

ACCELERATED PROGRAMS:

These have become very popular in our modern times. Some schools promise to have you completing a full college course in about 6 weeks. If you have the time and are an extremely motivated individual, then this type of college may work for you. Ask about costs right up front, as well as any available financial aid and loans.

What types of DEGREES should be considered?

B.A. PSYCHOLOGY:

You will first need to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology. If you already have an undergraduate degree, for example, in health sciences, sociology or education, you still have a good chance of being accepted into most graduate training programs, provided you are able to do some prerequisite coursework.

Ph.D. PSYCHOLOGY:

Earning a Ph.D. in Psychology may indeed offer the most opportunities for your career. This degree may take between four and eight years to earn, in addition to an undergraduate degree. Once you have earned it and have become licensed, then you will be able to practice in a wide variety of client settings, such as schools, clinics, hospitals and private practice.

MASTER'S PSYCHOLOGY:

After a thorough investigation into your state's laws, you may find you will be able to work in some mental health care facilities as a licensed psychologist. Check several sources to be sure your state will accept a Master's degree and a license, as you will want to know ahead of time how to make your educational plans.

MASTER'S DEGREE COUNSELING:

Master's degree in counseling is another option, however, be sure to consider the sixty credits required. These will take two to three years to complete depending upon your individual schedule and program in which you have enrolled. This a great choice for anyone interested in helping children, adults, couples and families with their troubles. Be aware that many states also require twelve to sixteen credit hours of training in order to become licensed.

MASTER'S DEGREE SOCIAL WORK:

If you are up for two extra years of coursework beyond undergraduate work, then a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) may be for you. In addition, you will need to complete an internship and supervised experience out in the field. With a Master's degree in social work you will have several mental health care career options open up to you.

What about LICENSES to practice?

Most states require a license to practice in addition to a degree. For licensing as a psychologist, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), or a social worker (LCSW), the process will require fingerprinting, exams, background check, client contact hours, supervision hours, fees and a set amount of years of experience. The process for both an LPC and a LCSW are very similar.

LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER (LSW)

If you choose LCSW, then you should be aware that many states require you to obtain an LSW license of social work, before you obtain the LCSW. Check with your state's social work licensing board for the most up to date information. Some states provide web sites that can be quite helpful in walking you through the licensing steps. Assuming you are taking the most rigorous schedule to complete your master's program in four semesters, this should be done before you finish school, around the third semester. You will need to request an application from the social work licensing board. Be prepared to obtain passport photos, have your fingerprinting done and you will need to have the application notarized.

In addition to the paperwork, you will need to complete an LSW exam. Many professionals, which have successfully completed these steps, recommend that you do the following in order to obtain success as well:

*Take the LSW exam while you are still in school and the information is current in your mind
*Text book knowledge will be the majority of the exam, although some hands-on experience questions do appear
*Exam preparation courses are highly recommended as they will help you narrow down what you should spend the majority of your time studying. This is not one of those exams in which you can just get by, nearly everyone must study!
*Should you fail the exam, most often you may take it again in 90 days for an additional fee

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (LCSW)

Hopefully you will not become weary as there is a bit more to this process. Once you have completed your Master's degree and passed your LCW, you will need to prepare for similar steps toward your LCSW. Again, check your particular state's requirements, but generally the two licenses are done within 2-3 years of each other. Your LCSW will require some 1900 hours of you working with clients in addition to a state social work board approved clinician who will supervise you weekly.

There is a way to simplify this process a bit. With some hard work, a little networking and some research, you may actually find an agency that will hire you as a therapist with only your LSW. This can be a rewarding time for you because you will be able to glean from other therapists with rich and varied experiences, plus you could earn your 1900 client hours on the job! A bonus would be if the agency could supply a supervisor for you while you work toward your LCSW. If that is not possible, then you would need to hire a supervisor outside of the agency. It would still be worth it to accept an offered position if only to gain experience and log your client hours.

Next, there will be more paperwork for you to handle. An application and more fees will be needed. An exam is required for the LCSW and it is actually quite similar to the LCW. Most people score similarly on both. Professionals do suggest that you take them close together in order to do well and benefit from the study you are already doing. You will need to wait 90 days after passing your LCW exam before taking the LCSW exam.

Therapy is a rewarding field, but as you can see the processes are lengthy and much is required of an individual seeking to become a therapist. Make sure you take breaks during your intense study and work and also take time to be encouraged by family members and friends during your endeavors. Lastly, here are some book recommendations that many professionals have found helpful to better understand how to become a therapist: