Growing a Career as a Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist is a professional who uses the science-based psychotherapeutic techniques to closely investigate their patient’s life experiences, relationships, family history, childhood and personal ideologies. It is the belief of a psychotherapist that the life experiences and relationships we experience have a great impact on the person we are today, as well as the emotions and physical attributes that we are comprised of.
A psychotherapist can help a person discover and work on a range of personal issues including emotions and mental health issues, as well as those with physical issues, including behavioral problems. They help patients with:
- Chronic depression
- Severe to mild anxiety
- Those stuck in patterns of destructive behavior or relationships
- Those with a traumatic history
- Identity crisis
- Dissatisfied with their life
How Much do Psychotherapists Make?
The pay scale for a psychotherapist will vary depending on the qualifications of the professional, the location, hours worked, type of business and state regulations. On average, psychotherapists tend to earn approximately $60,000 per year.
Psychotherapist Licensing Requirements
For those interested in a new career path, research is the most important step to undertake before you can begin. One of the essential things to consider are the legal requirements for becoming a psychotherapist. This includes conducting thorough research into important aspects such as licensing, certification and education to ensure you are covered and providing the best service to your patients as possible. The licensing process is going to change depending on your own personal circumstances, so make sure you are specific in your research inquiries. This can be an overwhelming process, and it may determine the path that you choose to take, whether it be working within an established business, or starting your own business. It is always best to ensure that you have an adequate support system in place to help you understand the requirements of your newly desired profession moving forward. Online communities are a good place to start.
Growing Your Career as a Psychotherapist
The requirements for becoming a fully licensed psychotherapist is typically an undergraduate degree in psychology or another related field. Whilst this degree allows psychotherapists to begin practicing, many therapists will continue their education to gain a Ph.D., giving them a higher skill based, and the ability to stand out as a professional in their field. Networking communities and associations are an important method in which to grow as a therapist. Industry-specific communities such as these offer insight into trade secrets, as well as provide opportunities to grow one’s business opportunities. These types of groups exist to allow industry-specific professionals to build one another up in a competitive world, creating a sense of community that come together to support one another in your day to day work and share in celebrating each other’s successes as industry professionals in the field of therapy.