How do you become a therapist?

Question

What type of degree, Masters, etc. do you need to become a therapist? Is it just a general psychologist that starts a practice?

Answer 1

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a therapist in private practice, you need to have a minimum of a master's degree in social work, mental health counseling, etc. Then you will have to take and pass an exam to become licensed. After that, many people choose to complete post-graduate training in a specific area within mental health in order to develop a specialization (i.e. eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma treatment, psychoanalysis, etc.)

After you've done that, you will then need to cultivate a referral base. This generally means having a pool of colleagues that will refer patients to you, or applying to be on an insurance panel.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

To be a "therapist" you need a doctorate, whether thats a MD or a PSY D. You can be a counsellor with a Masters, depending on what state you want to work in. You can also be a social worker and get licensed to practice.

Answer 3

Usually you get a master's in psychology or social work. You may have to get a license through your state as well. Then you work either with a social services agency or under a psychiatrist, or psychologist who has a PhD.

Answer 4

You will need a master's degree in Counseling, or Psychology. Most states requires you to get license as well.

Answer 5

it depends.

you can do therapy with a masters, PhD, PsyD, etc.
And there are different educational programs that can help you--clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, etc.

General psychology won't get you there.

Good luck.