Therapy has a reputation for being expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the costs of therapy vary widely. Show
You can pay as much as $200 an hour—or more—to see a private practice therapist who’s in high demand and who doesn’t accept insurance. But you can pay as little as $25 per session if you use insurance or find a community counseling center with low sliding-scale rates. Sometimes, you can even get therapy for free. In this guide, we’ll give you a general idea of what you should expect to pay depending on where and how you get therapy. We’ll also share our tips and tricks for finding affordable therapy. Read on to learn how much therapy costs and why it doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. Sponsored Start Therapy Online Today
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Share article on social media Related PostsDeciding How and What to Pay for TherapyDecoding the Forms of Payment Therapists AcceptFree and Affordable Marriage Counseling for VeteransFree and Affordable Counseling for Veterans and Active-Duty Military Service MembersEmployee Assistance Programs (EAPs) – Are They Right for You?University Counseling Centers: Open To Their CommunityStephanie HairstonStephanie Hairston is a freelance mental health writer who spent several years in the field of adult mental health before transitioning to professional writing and editing. As a clinical social worker, she provided group and individual therapy, crisis intervention services, and psychological assessments. Are you wondering how to become a therapist without a psychology degree? You be may asking this question if you’ve completed a portion of your education, such as an undergraduate degree, and are looking to transition into a new career as a therapist. Therapists are an important resource for many individuals, couples, and families because they help them navigate
stressful, emotional, or traumatic life events and circumstances. Editorial Listing ShortCode: Careers in therapy tend to offer higher than average salaries and positive job growth when compared to many other occupations. It’s even possible to consider becoming a therapist later in life, as the field can be a good fit for older
workers. The path to becoming a therapist without a psychology degree includes several steps. The specific steps may vary depending on the state you’re interested in practicing in and the type of therapist you’re interested in becoming. Certain therapist roles, such as marriage and family therapists, educational or school therapists, and
organizational therapists, may only require you to hold a master’s degree. Other positions, such as clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists, require a PhD or PsyD. Editorial Listing ShortCode: The difference in educational requirements lies in the type of work you’re looking to do and whether you want to work as an unlicensed or licensed
therapist. Here are common steps that need to be taken to become a therapist: Though you may wonder what masters degree you can get with a bachelors in psychology, you may want to consider that there are many master’s and doctorate programs in psychology that
do not require students to have a bachelor’s in psychology. Some of these universities may require you to take bridge courses or certificates to introduce you to key psychology principles though. Many find that becoming a therapist is a rewarding career goal, but there are a number of skills and qualifications needed to enter and be successful in the profession. A couple of qualifications that may be required for you to become a therapist are: There are many skills and traits that can be useful as a therapist as well, including: All of these things can help you become an effective therapist that is ready to help others. A bachelor’s degree, even one unrelated to psychology, is not enough to become a therapist, but it is the first step in the process. Editorial
Listing ShortCode: After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to pursue additional education in the form of graduate studies. This may include various master’s and doctoral level programs, such as a master’s in counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy or a PhD in psychology. Earning
a master’s in counseling can help you become a therapist in several different professional areas, ranging from mental health to education. While pursuing your master’s in counseling, you may have the option to choose between different specialties. Some options may include clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and applied behavior analysis. Common topics for this degree are human growth and development, counseling
theories, treatment of psychopathology, principles of psychotherapy, and group therapy practices. Earning
a Master of Social Work may not only allow you to break into the field of therapy, but it may also connect you with work in advocacy, policy, and child welfare. Graduate degree programs in social work commonly require studies in the foundations of social work practice, social environment, human rights and social justice, and social policy analysis. Other common topics of study are psychopathology and clinical social work practices. As part of your degree, you may choose to focus on child and family, addictions, healthcare, trauma-informed practice, or the military. Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
Earning a master’s in marriage and family therapy can help you play an important part in helping individuals, couples, and families cope with stress, conflict, and difficult life circumstances. Marriage and family therapy programs typically require courses in couples and family counseling, human sexuality, and crisis and trauma response. Child and adolescent counseling practices and substance abuse are common topics of study as well. PhD in Psychology or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)Earning a PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) can help you become a licensed therapist or psychologist in most states. These programs typically require intensive coursework in areas such as cognitive behavioral therapy, developmental psychopathy and treatment, and organizational psychology. Marriage and family psychology, biological bases for behavior, ethical issues in psychology, and approaches to psychotherapy are common topics of study as well. In order to work as a clinical psychologist a license and usually a doctorate-level education are required. Masters in Psychology Specialty Areas
While pursuing your master’s in psychology, you may have the option to choose from a number of specialty areas to help craft your education into a more concentrated and focused study plan. Potential specialty areas include:
Available specialty options may vary from one school to the next. 3 Things You Can Do with a Therapy DegreeThere are a number of different career paths available for you to pursue with a therap degree. You might pursue a job as a marriage and family therapist, correctional treatment specialist, or substance abuse counselor, to name a few. 1. Marriage and Family TherapistMarriage and family therapists help individuals, couples, and families work through complex issues. This may include assessing communication issues and developing strategies to improve familial communication. Editorial Listing ShortCode: Marriage and family therapists may also help partners work through stressful life events or help patients understand and manage their mental health issues. 2. Correctional Treatment SpecialistCorrectional treatment specialists work closely with forensic populations. These include young offenders, adult offenders, inmates, and those experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues. In this role, you may support individuals and groups in the rehabilitation process. This might include the assessment of offenders in order to advocate for or against their readiness for parole or release. In some cases, correctional treatment specialists provide counseling support to the families of offenders. 3. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsSubstance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors help individuals across a range of age groups cope with and manage their specific circumstances. Their work often includes performing assessments of mental health, substance abuse, or behavioral issues. After assessments are complete, they provide recommendations for managing those issues and potential treatment options. Many counselors in this field also work closely with families to help them understand the life experiences of family members dealing with these types of health issues. Counseling & Therapy CareersAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a number of counseling and therapy careers that may be available to you with a therapy degree.
These are just some of the jobs you can pursue with a therapy degree. You can pursue careers in a number of different industries, including education, nonprofit, government agencies, hospitals, correctional centers, and private clinics. Some of the jobs listed above may require additional licensure, education, or work experience to obtain. Internship OpportunitiesFor many states, becoming a licensed therapist requires you to complete a specific number of clinical placement hours in order to become eligible for licensure. Internships, even at a master’s level, can be an important way of gaining relevant work experience in the field of psychology and therapy. Some places that you may find rewarding and valuable internship opportunities include:
In some cases, you may have the opportunity to gain experience through an internship at a private practice or private counseling office. Connecting with an academic advisor for support and direction can help you find the right internship positions for your career goals. AccreditationRegional accreditation is a status that verifies the academic quality of various educational programs. Attending an accredited therapy graduate program is an important consideration because it can impact your ability to
register for various professional licensing bodies. It can also influence your ability to enroll in future academic programs. Editorial Listing ShortCode: The accreditation status of the program you attend may also impact the hiring decisions of potential employers. For more information on regional accreditation, you can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or CACREP, is the programmatic accreditation for counseling and therapy. CACREP accredits graduate-level programs, including masters and doctoral programming. Similar to regional accreditation, CACREP ensures a certain level of academic quality, but this accrediting body is specifically focused on programs in the field of counseling. Attending a CACREP accredited institution and program can help you ensure that the counseling education you’re receiving is of high quality. Counseling and Therapy Licensure and Certifications
The process of becoming a licensed counseling and therapy professional may vary from one state to the next, but common steps in the process include:
In some cases, you may also be required to take a jurisprudence examination after successfully passing the EPPP. What Does a Therapist Do?The roles and responsibilities of a therapist can vary depending on the type of work they engage in and the types of individuals or groups they support. In many cases, therapists work with individuals or groups of people to provide support through emotional, stressful, or traumatic life events. Therapists may also evaluate or assess individuals. They may work with children who have experienced abuse or have behavioral issues, adults in correctional institutions, or people needing mental health support. Can You Become a Therapist Without a Psychology Degree?How to become a therapist without a degree in psychology can be a common question for those who are interested in becoming a psychologist but don’t have bachelor’s degrees in psychology. It is possible to become a therapist without having an undergraduate degree in psychology. You may be able to secure a position as a therapist at the organizational or educational level with a master’s degree in psychology or a related field. To act as a licensed psychologist or therapist, a PhD or PsyD may be required. Where Do Therapists Work?Therapists work in a variety of industries and environments. Some examples include correctional centers, educational institutions, hospitals, mental health centers, senior living facilities, individual or family services, child welfare, and nonprofits. It’s also common for therapists to be self-employed in private practices. Editorial Listing ShortCode: Pay can vary greatly depending on the type of therapy services you provide. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists working for government agencies earn a median annual salary of $100,360. Those working in school systems, though, earn a median annual salary of $77,560. How Much Do Therapists Make?According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in therapy tend to earn more per year on average than many other occupations. Some of the highest-paid psychologists earn median annual salaries of $105,780. Industrial-organizational psychologists earn median annual salaries of $92,880. Some positions, such as marriage and family therapists ($51,340) and mental health counselors ($47,660) earn less on average per year than the top-paying psychologist roles. They still have higher average earnings than other community and social service occupations though. How Do You Become a Therapist without a Degree?There are many types of therapist roles available in the workplace, some requiring a degree and others not. Certain positions, including mental health counselors, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists, require at least some education in psychology or a related field. Other positions can be entered into without holding a degree. These may include:
It’s worth noting that specific entry-level requirements can vary from one employer to the next. What Degree Do You Need to Be a Therapist?To become a psychologist or licensed therapist, it is common to need a graduate degree in psychology. The specific requirements vary from one state to the next, but it is generally accepted that a doctorate in psychology is required in order to qualify for licensure. In some cases, you may be eligible for positions, such as an organizational psychologist or school therapist, without a PhD or PsyD. For these positions, a master’s degree in psychology may suffice. How Many Years of College to Be a Therapist?Pursuing the path of a licensed therapist commonly requires 4 to 6 years of graduate-level education, though the number of years required to become a therapist varies from state to state. Prior to enrolling in a graduate-level program, you will likely need to complete an undergraduate degree, which usually takes around 3 to 4 years. After your undergraduate studies, you may decide to enroll in either a master’s program or a doctorate program. Master’s degrees generally take 2 years, while doctorate degrees can take around 4 years to complete. Should I Become a Therapist?When deciding on whether or not you should become a therapist, there are a number of questions you may want to ask yourself, including:
If you answered yes to these questions, then becoming a therapist may be right for you. If you answered no, you may want to consider other options or work on some of the skills that are listed before becoming a therapist. What’s the Difference between a Psychologist vs. Therapist?Psychologists’ and therapists’ roles and responsibilities can overlap, and the key distinctions between the two depend on the field or industry that each position is being performed in. Psychologists:
Therapist:
In some cases, the titles of psychologist and therapist may be used interchangeably. What’s the Difference between a Counselor vs. Therapist?The titles of counselor and therapist are also often used interchangeably. In many cases, the roles and responsibilities of these professions overlap, but some differences can exist. Counselors:
Therapists:
Additionally, therapists are commonly trained in the practice of psychotherapy, unlike counselors. Getting Your Therapist Degree Online
There may be a number of ways for you to become a therapist without having a psychology degree. Various education pathways, from a master’s in psychology to a master’s in marriage and family therapy, social work, or counseling, may be options. A PhD or PsyD can also help you become a therapist. Careers in the field of therapy are available across multiple areas, ranging from criminal justice and law to mental health and family services. Plus, there are a number of universities that offer psychology degrees online. In fact, a growing number even offer dual masters and PhD programs in psychology online, allowing you to earn both degrees at the same time. With higher than average annual salaries, pursuing the path to becoming a professional therapist may offer you a good return on your investment. Is becoming a psychologist worth it?If you enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their full potential, then becoming a psychologist can be extremely rewarding. While you will often face challenges, seeing your clients make real progress and work towards their goals can give you a feeling of accomplishment.
What is the difference between a counselor and a therapist?Counselors tend to offer short-term care, while therapists tend to offer long-term care. Therapists can be more past focused and counselors more future focused. Counselors often have a set number of sessions, and therapists often work on an ongoing basis. Therapists are more likely to treat mental health conditions.
What are 5 types of professional therapists?5 Types of Therapists. Clinical Therapist. Clinical therapists work with patients who have severe mental disorders. ... . Drug and Alcohol Therapist. ... . Marriage Therapist. ... . Family Therapist. ... . Pastoral Therapist. ... . Salary Potential and Education Required.. Is therapy a lot of money?Therapy generally ranges from $65 per hour to $250 or more each session, according to GoodTherapy.org. That may sound like a lot, but health insurance policies can help cover some of those costs.
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How much does it cost to become a therapist
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