Why do you want to become a therapist or counselor? Is it the promise of a stable, high-paying career with room for growth? (Social workers can earn as much as $94,910 per year, while clinical and counseling psychologists earn a median annual salary of $96,100.) Or maybe it’s something more.
Every session with a therapist or counselor offers the chance to brighten someone’s life, often by simply listening and offering guidance. Few roles are as rewarding, but breaking into the field can be tough.
That’s why we created this easy-to-follow guide to help you land your dream career. It’ll take time, effort, and a degree or two, but if you stay the course, there’s no reason why you can’t make it as a counselor or therapist.
Therapist vs. Counselor: What’s the Difference?
With extensive training and advanced degrees, therapists and counselors both work to improve their clients’ mental, emotional, and behavioral health. They’re united in their mission to help people but take different approaches, and the path to becoming one or the other also differs.
How to Become a Counselor
Counselors support clients as they overcome everyday challenges, whether it’s managing stress, setting personal goals, or overcoming anxiety. Although they’re in the healthcare field, counselors can’t prescribe medications and typically don’t need advanced degrees to be successful in the field, making this a more accessible career path. If you’re interested in becoming a mental health, substance abuse, or rehabilitation counselor, or one of the numerous other types of counselors, here’s where to start:
Follow These Steps
- Consider certification: For many types of counseling, you don’t need a degree to get started. Peer counseling, life skills, and drug and alcohol counseling are a few options that typically only require certification. With a certification, you can pursue entry-level roles and start building experience.
- Earn a master’s degree: If you’re aiming for a more high-paying career, a master’s degree is the way to go. The online Master of Social Work offered by The University of Texas Permian Basin, for example, can set you up for success.
- Gain supervised experience: After earning a master’s degree, you’ll need to accumulate a set number of hours of supervised work.
- Obtain licensure: Finally, you’ll need to pass a qualification exam to become licensed to practice independently. In Texas, licensure is overseen by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
How to Become a Therapist
Therapists are licensed mental health professionals devoted to helping people overcome mental and behavioral challenges. They listen, dig deep, and design personalized treatment plans to help people find clarity. Some therapists, much like certain licensed counselors, can officially diagnose mental health disorders. And depending on their training and specialization, a few can even prescribe medications. If you’re interested in becoming a therapist, you’ll need to check the following off your list:
Follow These Steps
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: Aspiring therapists often start by earning a bachelors’ degree in psychology, building a strong foundation before diving into graduate studies.
- Complete a master’s program: You’ll need a master’s degree, preferably in the specific area you want to practice.
- Accumulate clinical hours: After earning your master’s degree, you’ll need to gain supervised clinical experience.
- Meet state licensing requirements: Like up-and-coming counselors, therapists must meet state licensing requirements.
- Consider a doctoral degree: If you’re set on becoming a psychologist, the path gets a bit steeper. Clinical psychologists must choose between a practice-focused Psy.D. and a research-focused Ph.D. Typically, earning a doctoral degree takes about five years, but it can lead to far broader career opportunities.
Choosing Your Path: Counselor or Therapist?
Will you become a counselor or therapist? Either way, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, bringing years of education and experience to every session. But no matter which path you take, you’ll likely need to start with a bachelor’s degree.
That’s where we come in.
UT Permian Basin offers several online programs that can help you in your journey toward becoming a counselor, therapist, or psychologist, or another empathy-driven helping career. These programs include:
Our online Master of Social Work program, in particular, will prepare you for careers in clinical social work within healthcare and behavioral health settings. Plus, the program is entirely online, with the exception of the practicum experience that will give you the opportunity to participate in social work in real-world settings.
Ready to take the next step toward a career in counseling or therapy? Explore our online graduate and undergraduate programs. If you find the right fit, hit that apply button. This could be the moment that launches an incredibly fulfilling career.
Sources:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-therapist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-a-counselor-without-a-degree
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/how-to-become-a-counselor-and-why