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Therapist Job Description

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Overview

therapist
553
The number of occurrences in our database.
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A Therapist works with patients and their families to diagnose and handle mental health problems. Their role is to assess patients and diagnose mental health issues. Their responsibilities are to create a treatment plan for patients based on the needs of the individual, refer patients to other healthcare professionals if necessary, and work with families or couples to administer family or marital counseling.

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Steps to take to start your career as a Therapist and other jobs like it

  • While pursuing your initial Bachelor's degree, try to also gain experience in the field through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions in mental health settings. There aren’t specific undergraduate major requirements but degrees in psychology, sociology, social work or philosophy are good places to start.
  • Obtain a master's degree in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or a related field. Ensure that the program is accredited by a recognized accrediting body such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for counseling programs or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) for marriage and family therapy programs.
  • Most states require a certain number of supervised clinical hours to become licensed. This typically involves completing a practicum and internship as part of your master's program. Make sure to fulfill these requirements under the supervision of a licensed professional.
  • After completing your master's degree and supervised experience, you'll need to apply for licensure in your state. Requirements vary by state but generally include passing a licensure exam, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). You may also need to pass a jurisprudence exam specific to your state's laws and regulations.
  • With your education, clinical experience, and licensure in hand, you can begin practicing as a therapist. You may choose to work in various settings such as community mental health centers, hospitals, schools, or private practice. Network with therapists in various fields to determine what the profession is really like.
Hear from someone who’s had the job or one like it
"Do you want a profession where you can help others and can create your own schedule? See what this therapist has to say about the perks and challenges of working in private practice."
Career Video Transcript
Examples of Current Open Therapist Positions
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indeedImg
Avg Pay: $72K
Jobs: 213,777
glassdoor
Avg Pay: $66K
Jobs: 66,124

Education you need to become a Therapist

These are the most common degrees or certificates earned by Jobtrees users prior to becoming a Therapist

There may be other required degrees or certifications needed for this job. The below info shows you the most commonly desired education level from employers when hiring for this job.

  • Master of Science (m.sc.) in Occupational Therapy
    The number of occurrences matches with Therapist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:25 monthsAvg. Fees:$31,691Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Psychology
    The number of occurrences matches with Therapist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:48 monthsAvg. Fees:$31,580Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Master Degree in Occupational Therapy
    The number of occurrences matches with Therapist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:25 monthsAvg. Fees:$31,691Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Master of Arts (m.a.) in Counseling Psychology
    The number of occurrences matches with Therapist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:21 monthsAvg. Fees:$26,273Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Master Degree in Social Work
    The number of occurrences matches with Therapist in our database.
    Avg. Duration:22 monthsAvg. Fees:$24,728Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
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Annual Pay Estimate for Therapist and Other Important Info

See how many years Therapist's are in their job, how much they make, how long it took to get there and how available this job is in terms of open positions.

6.3 years
$69K
The average years of experience in the workforce prior to having this role
2.95 years
Mixed
The average number of roles it took our users to get to this one
3
72 out of 4016

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Career Paths for Therapist

Find data driven insights on the path to get to this role and where it can lead

Jobs to start your career in becoming a Therapist

These are the most common roles Jobtrees users had to start their career that eventually lead them to Therapist. If you’re looking to get into this career these are jobs to consider to get your start. We’ve included below some current open job postings that match those roles. Click to search for more.