More and more people in today’s increasingly conscious and accepting society are taking proactive measures to improve their own mental health. People often seek counseling as a means to better their mental health. You might enjoy working in the field of mental health counseling if you have a passion for assisting others in achieving their personal growth and development goals. Read further to learn more about how to become a licensed mental health therapist in NY, how to become one even without a degree and their salary. Let’s dive in!
What Is a Mental Health Therapist?
A therapist, or mental health therapist, is a trained practitioner who specializes in helping people overcome mental, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. These experts take a more all-encompassing view of their patients, looking for the root causes of their problems rather than just treating the symptoms. In order to address a patient’s condition, they often arrange appointments at regular intervals.
Types of Mental Health Therapists
Individuals seeking employment in the field of mental health counseling might choose from a variety of sub-specializations. The following are the types of mental health therapists:
#1. Substance Abuse Therapists and Addiction Therapists
Working with clients who have chemical dependencies on alcohol, narcotics, or other addictions is the specialty of this type of mental health therapist. A mental health therapist with expertise in this area may assist clients and their families to address the wide range of issues that can arise from substance abuse. Some treatments for addiction include interventions, court-ordered therapy, and 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Addictions to gambling, sex, shopping, food, and other substances may also be addressed by these professionals.
#2. Behavior Disorder Therapists
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) are among the conditions that this kind of mental health therapist may help their clients with.
#3. Licensed Mental Health Therapists (LMHC)
A qualified mental health therapist helps people with all kinds of mental health issues by helping them find healthy ways to deal with their symptoms and live with their diagnosis. There are state-mandated licensing requirements for this position.
#4. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
It’s important to note that while this type of mental health therapist can give care for mental health issues, they may choose to specialize in other areas, such as rehabilitation or career counseling. Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) may necessitate obtaining a license to practice counseling in your state of employment.
#5. Licensed Clinical Counselor
In addition to acting in a supervisory capacity, a licensed clinical professional counselor offers counseling services to clients. These experts often do research and instruct new hires.
#6. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
This mental health therapist works with a wide range of clients, from individuals to community organizations, offering a full range of mental health treatments. Similar therapies are used for all types of mental health counselors.
What Does a Mental Health Therapist Do?
A mental health Therapist can help with a wide range of issues, from depression and anxiety to addiction and PTSD. The following are the things a mental health therapist tries to cure:
- Trauma
- Anxiety disorders
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Addiction
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorders
Skills of a Mental Health Therapist
The following are skills you need a mental health therapist:
#1. Determination and Self-Control
If you want to become a mental health therapist but don’t have a degree, the ability to discipline yourself and motivate yourself is crucial. They can use this to their advantage in self-directed learning and certification programs.
#2. Empathy
To have empathy is to be able to put yourself in another person’s shoes and feel what they feel. A counselor’s ability to empathize with their clients is crucial to building rapport and showing that they truly care about their well-being.
#3. Learning Motivation
Every professional therapist needs to be eager to grow in their field. A drive to study, however, can be an important factor in the success of counselors who are resolved to begin their careers without a degree. This motivates students to take advantage of all the certification opportunities available to them and really soak up all the information.
#4. Networking
The term “networking” is used to describe the method by which working professionals make contact with other working professionals and possible employers. Prospective counselors who don’t have a degree but have strong networking skills can improve their job prospects after completing a certification program.
#5. Flexibility
Counselors who lack formal training may need to be adaptable in order to find work in the field. This opens the door for individuals to pursue chances that lie outside their comfort zones, where they can gain experience and build their resumes for better jobs in the future.
#6. Conversations with Others
Adjusting one’s language or communication style to improve another person’s comprehension is an example of interpersonal communication. Being able to relate to persons of different cultural origins is also essential. Professional counselors need strong people skills to establish rapport with clients of many backgrounds and temperaments.
#7. Careful Consideration
In order to notice shifts in their clients’ emotional states or actions, counselors require keen observational skills. By changing the subject, counselors might encourage their clients to share more personal details.
#8. Compartmentalization
It is important for counselors to be able to separate their professional and personal lives. This is significant because there are times when a counselor will feel more connected to one client than another. Counselors can protect their mental health by practicing compartmentalization. This guarantees that additional customers will always have their full attention during the course of the workday.
#9. Effective Use of Time
Counselors need effective time management skills because they sometimes have several sessions with clients in a single day. This way, you can give your customers the attention they need and keep them feeling appreciated.
How to Become a Licensed Mental Health Therapist in NY
Have you been thinking of becoming a licensed mental health therapist in NY? Worry not! Here are some steps you can follow to become a licensed mental health therapist in NY:
#1. Get Your Bachelor’s Degree
In order to pursue a career in psychology, behavioral science, or social science, you must first get a bachelor’s degree in one of those subjects. The following undergraduate majors are very popular when you’re intending to become a licensed mental health therapist in NY:
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology
- Bachelor’s degree in sociology
- Bachelor’s degree in human services
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- Bachelor’s degree in biology
Before starting graduate school in psychology, you may need to take some additional required courses at the undergraduate level if you already have a degree in a different field. Find out what is needed to get into the master’s degree program of your choice, or talk to an admissions counselor at the schools you are interested in.
#2. Get Your Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in mental health therapy from a reputable institution is the next logical step after completing an undergraduate degree. A Master of Science in counseling psychology is one of the most frequent graduate degrees in this field. Classroom lectures and practicums in simulated clinical settings are common components of the curriculum. You can also anticipate taking certification and licensing exams after finishing the required coursework and a clinical internship.
While a Ph.D. in psychology isn’t always required for mental health counseling jobs, it can be a great way to set yourself apart from the competition and progress your career.
#3. Participate in a Supervised Clinical Internship after Graduation
Students in the field of counseling are required to complete supervised practicums either after they graduate from college or as part of their degree programs. Internships are a great way to gain practical experience in the field while also learning from seasoned professionals. In order to sit for licensing tests in most states, you must have completed between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of clinical work.
Internships in clinical settings can help you learn and grow in your field, allowing you to better serve your future customers. Internships can be found through graduate schools and professional organizations like the American Counseling Association (ACA), where you can network with professionals in the field.
#4. Pass Licensure Exams
After finishing your coursework, you can apply to take the relevant licensing exams. Licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are required by law in every state.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) administers the exams that most states require of its counselors, the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). A master’s degree, clinical experience, and a clean criminal record are other necessities.
#5. Complete Supervised Clinical Experience
In order to become a licensed mental health counselor, you must first complete internships at the graduate and post-graduate levels.
Some levels of licensing in some states may need between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of clinical experience. A first license is required for students, and this license can be considered a temporary professional license because it only permits the graduate to work under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner after graduation. Associate Licensed Counselor, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, or a similar title may be used in different states.
#6. Apply for Licensure
Getting your license is a huge accomplishment. The next step is to fill out an application for a state license to practice mental health. This will be recognized as a separate authorization to practice. In order to practice counseling legally, you must become licensed in the state in which you intend to do so.
#7. Earn Continuing Education Units and Additional Certifications
Certification and licensing often expire after a certain amount of time, making continuing education courses essential. Each state has its own requirements for the number of CEUs that mental health counselors need to renew their licenses every few years. Counseling associations like the ACA provide online education opportunities for their members.
Specialist certificates from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) are available to those who hold the LMHC or LPC. Certification in counseling methods like CBT is also provided by non-government groups like the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT). Though optional, these can be great ways to build experience and look well on a résumé.
How to Become a Mental Health Therapist without a Degree
Do you want to become a mental health therapist without a degree? Here are some steps to take to become a mental health therapist without a degree:
#1. Research Available Certification Options
A mental health therapist without a degree can still get certified by taking courses online at a number of different colleges, universities, and professional institutes. Certifications might last anything from a few days to a whole year. You can also look on the website of the health department of your state government.
#2. Develop Soft Skills
Professional counselors frequently engage in conversation with clients and their loved ones. This means they need people skills to succeed. Soft skills are those that can be taught independently and improved through experience.
A mental health therapist needs good interpersonal skills, including communication, active listening, empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental attitude, to help those struggling with substance abuse or mental illness.
#3. Gain Real-World Experience
Gaining work experience through internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, or voluntary work is highly recommended. Use these opportunities to discover if an occupation or field is a good fit for your interests and skills. You can expand your professional network and make connections that could lead to a full-time job offer.
Internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer opportunities can be found and applied for through firm career boards, job sites like LinkedIn, and professional organization career portals.
#4. Determine Which Program Meets Your Needs
Select the certification program that best fits your time constraints, budget, and career objectives after researching several possibilities. This can aid in refining your options and making a final choice.
Start thinking about getting a job that only requires a high school diploma while you progress through your certification program. Work in the mental health industry as a receptionist or administrative assistant, or provide in-home care for the elderly or disabled. You can improve your chances of getting hired in the future if you acquire one or more work-related experiences.
#6. Apply to Entry-Level Positions
Apply for entry-level counseling employment in state governments, social service agencies, and non-profit organizations, highlighting your certification and extra professional experiences on your CV and cover letter.
Mental Health Therapist Salary
The salary of a mental health therapist may vary depending on a number of factors, such as your certifications, education, experience, job, and region. The annual salary of a licensed mental health therapist in NY is $71,458 on average.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Mental Health Therapist?
A four-year bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum educational requirement for entry into the field of mental health counseling. Typically, this 4-year degree is earned in the discipline of psychology, counseling, or a similar area.
A master’s degree is typically required to practice as a certified professional mental health therapist. A master’s degree in mental health counseling typically requires an additional year of graduate study, give or take, depending on the student’s prior education, enrollment status, and course load. According to state regulations, you must also finish your clinical hours within a certain time frame. To become a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of California, for instance, you must put in at least 3,000 hours of training over the course of 104 weeks, as required by the California Board of Behavioral Services.
What’s the Difference Between LMHCs and LPCs?
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) are identical in every way except for where they practice. The educational qualifications, licensing exams, and areas of practice for these types of counselors are all very similar. While LMHCs and LPCs are the same in most states, there are a few outliers.
What Qualifications Do You Need to be a Mental Health Therapist?
- Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Earn a Master of Mental Health Counseling Degree.
- Pass Licensing Exams.
- Complete Supervised Clinical Experience.
- Apply for Licensure.
- Seek Additional Mental Health Counseling Certifications.
- Maintain Your Mental Health Counselor License.
Where Does a Mental Health Therapist Work?
- Hospitals.
- Inpatient or Outpatient Detoxification Centers.
- Mental Health Facilities & Agencies.
- Residential Care Facilities.
- Halfway Houses.
- Geriatric-Related Facilities.
- VA Medical Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics.
- Correctional Facilities and/or Prisons.
Final Thoughts
When thinking about a career as a mental health therapist, it’s important to take into account the expected rate of work growth, daily responsibilities, educational requirements, and positions that are similar to it. Health education, community health work, social work, and school counseling are some fields you could explore.
Rising rates of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation are a serious public health concern in the United States. So, you can choose to go into this field to be of help in this area.
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