What Therapist Classes Do I Need To Become Licensed?

Working as a licensed therapist can be fulfilling for people who enjoy helping others improve their mental health and excel despite life’s challenges. Listening to other people’s problems and coming up with ways to help them cope can be an important part of being a therapist. Therapists may need to have a strong foundation of knowledge in different theories, skills, and techniques. In order to become licensed as a therapist, you’ll need to earn a graduate degree and complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours. 

Therapist classes can range from counseling theories to the ethics associated with working as a mental health care professional. Successfully completing these classes can ensure that you’ll be prepared to deliver effective care. Read on to learn more about therapist classes, requirements to get licensed, and other tips for a successful career as a therapist. 

Education and licensure requirements

If you want to become a therapist, you need to meet specific education requirements. First, you may need to earn a bachelor's degree in a field such as psychology or sociology. Next, you might need to pursue a master's degree in a specialized area like mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy. Some prospective therapists may also decide to obtain a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) to further improve their qualifications and knowledge.

Besides classroom learning, therapists also need hands-on experience in their field. In the United States, most states require individuals to complete between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience to be eligible for a therapist license. During this time, you'll likely participate in a practicum or an internship in a setting such as a clinic, hospital, or in-person practice.

The process of obtaining a license may depend on where you live and what type of therapy you want to practice. In general, you might need to:

• Earn a master's degree in counseling or a similar field
• Finish the required practicum or internship hours
• Pass a certification or licensing exam 

Once you're a licensed therapist, you can work in different roles such as mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, school psychologist, or licensed professional counselor, for example. The job outlook for therapists is promising, and you can choose to work in-person or online. How much money you make can depend on your specialization and where you work.

Types of therapist classes

The classes you take to become a therapist may depend on the specific type of therapist you aspire to be. Popular therapy programs may include social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, and clinical psychology. Classes may include different formats such as individual study, group work, or online learning, for example. The length of the courses and the number of credits awarded may vary, and some classes might come with in-person practical experiences or research requirements. Courses you might find yourself taking could include:

Human behavior

This class focuses on understanding human behavior across various social and cultural contexts. It may help students develop the necessary skills to assess and intervene in different situations involving individuals, families, and groups. Topics may include social norms, behavioral patterns, and the influence of culture on behavior.

Cultural bases of counseling

This course explores the impact of culture on counseling practices, considering factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background. Students can learn how to recognize and address potential cultural biases in their work and develop culturally sensitive counseling techniques.

Marriage and family dynamics

This class explores various aspects of family systems, communication, and relationships. Students can learn about the different theories and techniques applicable to marriage and family therapy, including conflict resolution, attachment styles, and family roles. If you plan to work with couples or families, this is a class you’ll likely come across.

Human growth and development

This course covers the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of humans throughout their lifespan. Students might learn about key developmental stages and how these stages affect an individual's behavior, emotions, and relationships.

Counseling theories and techniques

This course provides an introduction to various counseling strategies and methods, including active listening, empathy, and goal setting. These skills can be important for a therapist to have as they meet with and treat their clients. Students may develop practical skills through role-playing and peer evaluation and learn how to apply these techniques in real-life counseling situations.

Substance use counseling

In this class, students learn about the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. The course may cover both theory and practical techniques for working with individuals experiencing addiction, including relapse prevention and harm reduction strategies.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Clinical psychology

This course offers an overview of clinical psychology, including the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. Students might also learn about ethical and legal issues in the field such as informed consent and professional boundaries, for instance.

Psychotherapy

Students in this course may study different theoretical approaches to psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy. They can also develop practical techniques for working with clients experiencing a variety of mental health challenges.

Ethics and issues in counseling

This course covers the ethical and professional standards that guide the practice of counseling. Students might learn about issues such as informed consent and the counselor-client relationship, for example. They might also discuss how to handle ethical dilemmas that may arise in their work.

Psychological testing

In this class, students can learn about various psychological tests and assessments used in the field of clinical mental health. This course teaches aspiring therapists how to administer certain tests, score the evaluation, and interpret the results.

Research and statistics

This course introduces students to the basics of research design, detail collating, and statistical analysis in the field of psychology. Students can learn how to evaluate and interpret research findings and apply statistical methods to answer research questions.

Crisis management

In this class, students may learn about crisis intervention techniques and strategies for working with individuals experiencing acute emotional distress. Topics covered may include suicide prevention, disaster response, and trauma-informed care, for example.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.

The therapist classes listed above are some examples of coursework that different educational programs may offer. Still, different programs may feature unique classes that address similar topics. You can check the curriculum and coursework of your desired therapist program to determine whether it might be a fit for you. 

Skills to be a successful therapist

Therapists can work with individuals who are facing many different issues. These may include personal problems and mental health conditions such as anxiety, autism, depression, and personality disorders, for instance. To help their clients, successful therapists usually have certain skills. These may include:

• Empathy: Being able to understand other people's feelings can be important for therapists. This skill can help build trust and let clients know they are being heard and understood. Empathy can encourage clients to open up about specific problems, which can help the therapist identify the most powerful strategy to help them. 
• Active Listening: Therapists often need to be skilled at actively listening to their clients. This skill enables them to pay attention to what clients say and how they say it. It can also help them interpret body language. This can help build trust and a strong connection between the therapist and the client.
• Communication Skills: Therapists typically need to know how to communicate effectively with their clients. During their sessions, they might need to give feedback, explain concepts clearly, and adjust their communication style to fit each client, for instance. Effective communication may also include asking open-ended questions and helping clients reframe their thoughts and emotions.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Therapists often help clients work through difficult situations in their lives. These situations may include managing a stressful job or coping with a family conflict, for example. To serve their clients effectively, therapists may need strong problem-solving skills, which can enable them to devise helpful solutions for the problems individuals are facing. 
• Adaptability: Therapists can work with many different types of clients, making adaptability an important trait to have. For example, a therapist might need to switch from using cognitive-behavioral therapy with one client to a more emotion-focused approach with another. This means they may want to learn new techniques and stay current with research to provide the most helpful mental health services possible.

With these skills, therapists can build strong relationships with their clients and help them overcome challenges in their lives.

Other tips for becoming a therapist

If you’re thinking about becoming a therapist, you may want to expand your knowledge and abilities in other ways, too. The following are some useful tips you can use outside of the classroom to become a well-rounded aspiring professional: 

• Completing additional research: You may want to stay informed about the latest developments in your chosen field by engaging in additional research. You might choose to attend conferences, read journals, and collaborate with other professionals to expand your knowledge and stay up to date with current best practices.
• Joining professional organizations: Membership in professional organizations can offer additional networking, continuing education, and resources for therapists. These organizations often provide guidance on issues related to practice, ethics, and legislation.
• Volunteering or interning: You can gain more experience by volunteering or interning with mental health clinics, hospitals, or non-profit organizations. This might give you the opportunity to see professional therapists at work and learn different ways to help people. Volunteering or interning may also improve your resume and prepare you for what it's like to work as a therapist.

Working online as a therapist

Many aspiring therapists may be interested in working remotely from their homes. Working online may provide benefits for both therapists and clients. Some of these benefits may include convenience, availability, and effectiveness. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that matches clients with therapists. People seeking therapy may find that BetterHelp offers a convenient solution for taking care of their mental health needs. Those with busy schedules, demanding careers, or parental responsibilities may find that online therapy allows them to still receive the support they need despite these obstacles. With web-based therapy, clients can also match with providers outside of their region who may have expertise in certain areas of mental health.

The efficacy of online therapy

Studies have shown that online therapy can be effective for a variety of mental health concerns, especially those related to anxiety and stress. One review of 92 studies found that internet-based therapy was just as effective as in-person therapy. Researchers also found that online therapy had positive effects that lasted long after the therapeutic intervention had ended, speaking to both its short and long-term efficacy.

Takeaway

Choosing to become a licensed therapist can be a rewarding decision, especially if you enjoy helping people cope with challenges and improve their mental health. To get your therapist license, you'll need to complete a graduate degree and work a certain number of hours with a clinical supervisor.

To have a successful career as a licensed therapist, it can be important to take a variety of therapy classes that focus on different areas of the field. You may learn about many topics, from how to diagnose clients to the right way to handle ethical situations. Volunteering or interning can also be a way to practice your skills and understand what it's like to be a therapist. 

Online therapy can be a convenient option for future therapists who would like to practice from their homes. Likewise, this type of web-based therapy may be preferable for individuals who face barriers to in-person care such as cost, lack of transportation, or a shortage of qualified professionals in their area. To learn more about the career path of a therapist, visit BetterHelp today.