Millions of Americans are impacted by mental health disorders, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. The need for therapists to provide counseling services is evident and is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for marriage and family therapists will rise 16 percent by 2030. 

Fortunately, there are many online therapy and counseling degree programs that can prepare you to meet the growing demand, as well as multiple opportunities to specialize in an area of mental health that interests you, such as addiction, child therapy, and gerontology.

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Below, we break down what it means to be a therapist, how to become a licensed therapist, and the different career options for therapists. 

In This Article:

• Therapist, Counselor or Psychologist: What’s the Difference?
• How to Become a Licensed Therapist
• Different Kinds of Therapists
• FAQs

The titles “therapist” and “counselor” can be used interchangeably. From working with married couples to supporting youth with anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, or substance abuse issues, counselors or therapists have many career options and interact with people across the lifespan. But in general, many provide mental health services. Licensing laws for therapists spell out specific education requirements, the passing of an examination, and the completion of a certain number of hours of experience in practice prior to licensing. 

While there are numerous career paths available to those who choose to study psychology, all professionals focus on the brain and behavior, and how the two intersect. Psychologists can work with people who are navigating difficult or life-changing events such as the death of a family member, or patients whose chronic conditions interfere with their overall quality of life. To best support their patients and clients, they look at intellectual skills, personality traits and cognitive strengths and weaknesses. In order to become a licensed psychologist, most states require a master’s degree in psychology, or a doctoral degree. Most states also require licensed psychologists to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and to have supervised experience as an intern and postdoc before they can practice. 

No matter which title appeals to you the most or what kind of services you’d like to deliver, there are online degree programs to become a licensed counselor and online degree programs to become a licensed psychologist, making it convenient to pursue a rewarding career path. 

In order to become a licensed therapist or counselor in all 50 states, you need a degree from a graduate-level counseling program credentialed by a relevant accreditation body, namely the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the American Psychological Association. In most states, licensed professional therapists must also complete post-degree, supervised clinical experience within a specific time frame.

Those interested in a therapist license are required to pass one of several examinations on counseling, depending on their state. Test options include: 

Most graduate-level programs geared toward students looking to launch a licensed therapist career require you to hold a bachelor’s in a liberal arts discipline. You may decide to major in psychology, sociology, social work, or a similar area of study to build a strong educational background for future studies.

Since many states require that graduate degree programs pursued by aspiring licensed therapists follow a model established by CACREP, the agency’s website is one place to start researching options for master’s-level programs in mental health counseling. CACREP has over 860 accredited counseling programs. Use their online search tool to filter results by state, keyword, and specialty. 

State-by-state requirements when it comes to clinical experience can vary, so it is important to read up on and follow the guidelines of the state where you are looking to practice. But according to the American Counseling Association, you’ll typically be required to complete between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience following graduation from a master’s degree program, before receiving your therapist license. 

Supervisors must be a licensed professional counselor or other approved licensed mental health professional. It is also important to note that specific hours are to be dedicated to client care and face-to-face interaction. 

Every state requires a person who wants to become a licensed therapist to pass a comprehensive examination. There are a number of these tests, the most common of which is the National Counselor Examination, administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). On the NBCC website, you’ll find the state board directory of applicable contact information, available licenses, required exams on a state-by-state basis, and exam registration and schedule information.

A number of states require aspiring counselors to pass a jurisprudence exam which tests an applicant’s knowledge of licensing board rules and operating procedures, and state laws affecting counseling practice. States that require new licensees to pass a jurisprudence exam include California, Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. 

Within the mental health counseling and therapy career landscape, there are a number of possible specialty paths. Below, we explore steps to becoming a psychotherapist, a marriage and family therapist, an applied behavior analysis therapist, a recreational therapist, a child therapist, a cognitive behavioral therapist, an addiction counselor, a career counselor, a gerontological counselor, and a school counselor. 

Psychotherapists help people deal with any range of issues impacting their day-to-day lives, including depression and anxiety, coping with loss or illness, addictions, and relationship troubles. Psychotherapists apply procedures including cognitive-behavioral therapy, talk therapy and other methods to help clients develop coping skills and lead happier, more productive lives. 

To become a psychotherapist, you need:

Marriage and family therapists, or marriage, couple, and family counselors, support clients with their most important relationships—as couples, and within family units—taking a holistic approach to mental health care. Marriage and family therapists may work in mental health centers, community agencies or in a private practice. 

To become a marriage and family therapist, you need:

An applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist observes a clients’ behavior to understand more about their habits and motivations. ABA therapists make assessments of people within their regular environments to help guide strategies for intervention. They often work with people who have autism spectrum disorder, as well as those with traumatic brain injuries and other developmental delays and disorders. 

To become an ABA therapist, you need:

Recreational therapists use activities—recreation—to help individuals with illnesses and disabilities to improve their mental and physical health and promote recovery. Recreational therapists support client wellbeing through a number of activities including arts and crafts, animals, dance, drama, and outings.

To become a recreational therapist, you need: 

Child therapists work with children and teens to navigate issues they are facing at home and school, including bullying, family problems, depression, trauma, eating disorders and anxiety. Child therapists help children and teens communicate, learn, and develop coping skills. 

To become a child therapist, you need:

Cognitive behavioral therapists use goal-oriented treatment, providing practical steps clients can follow to achieve specific objectives—whether addressing sleep issues, anxiety, relationship issues, or struggles with addiction. The therapy works by shifting a person’s beliefs and adjusting behaviors to overcome emotional problems. 

To become a cognitive behavioral therapist, you need: 

Addiction or substance abuse counselors work with individuals and their family members who suffer from substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. They typically work in education, prevention, and intervention settings. 

To become an addiction or substance abuse counselor, you need:

Career counselors have expertise in career development across the lifespan and can work in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, or in a private practice. They help clients navigate issues around work, unemployment, and skills development.

To become a career counselor, you need:

Gerontological counseling is one piece of the larger field of study known as gerontology, focused on caring for the needs of people in their later years. A gerontological counselor works with clients on communication skills, mental health, and issues related to the aging process. 

To become a gerontological counselor, you need:

School counselors work with children in elementary, middle, and secondary schools to improve the cognitive growth, physical growth, and development of children, and to help students reach their full potential as learners. 

To become a school counselor, you need:

Below, we address some common questions related to becoming a therapist. 

Last updated: May 2022