2 answers
Hailey
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
3
Questions
Asked
163 views
What specific skills do you need to be a Mental Health therapist?
What experience do you need?
What majors and degrees?
Is the communication level difficult, or is it easy to talk to others?
Login to comment
2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
962
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Indeed, Hailey — and I appreciate how considerate your questions are. They demonstrate that you already have the mindset of someone who wants to assist and work with people, which is the foundation of being a mental health therapist.
A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as psychology, social work, counseling, or human services, is typically the first step towards becoming a therapist. Most people then pursue a master's degree in a more specialized field, such marriage and family therapy, social work (MSW), or clinical mental health counseling. A doctorate degree (PhD or PsyD) is probably required if you want to work as a psychologist. To become a licensed mental health professional, you must pass a licensing exam and complete supervised clinical hours, often between 2,000 and 4,000, after graduating from graduate school in every state.
Experience is developed gradually. During internships or practicums offered by graduate institutions, you will begin working under supervision with actual customers. Some people also gain experience working in schools, youth programs, group homes, or crisis centers prior to attending graduate school. You gain confidence and discover the types of people or environments that appeal to you through these experiences.
The most important skills you'll need are the following: clear communication, emotional awareness, empathy, active listening, and the capacity to remain composed under duress. Hearing extremely personal, occasionally upsetting stories is a part of the job description for therapists. To support people without taking on their suffering yourself, you'll need to have solid boundaries and emotional control. To assist clients in exploring their emotions and moving forward, you will also learn how to think critically and formulate appropriate questions.
It can be challenging at first, especially when you're initially starting out, when it comes to communicating. However, therapeutic training teaches you how to calmly and clearly discuss challenging subjects. Your lecturers and supervisors will help you at every stage as you acquire the talent of communicating with people in a way that makes them feel heard and seen.
A great starting point is if you're already inquisitive, sympathetic, and driven to help others. Although becoming a therapist can be difficult, it is also very fulfilling and more important than ever. Undoubtedly, you're headed in the right direction.
Best wishes!
A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as psychology, social work, counseling, or human services, is typically the first step towards becoming a therapist. Most people then pursue a master's degree in a more specialized field, such marriage and family therapy, social work (MSW), or clinical mental health counseling. A doctorate degree (PhD or PsyD) is probably required if you want to work as a psychologist. To become a licensed mental health professional, you must pass a licensing exam and complete supervised clinical hours, often between 2,000 and 4,000, after graduating from graduate school in every state.
Experience is developed gradually. During internships or practicums offered by graduate institutions, you will begin working under supervision with actual customers. Some people also gain experience working in schools, youth programs, group homes, or crisis centers prior to attending graduate school. You gain confidence and discover the types of people or environments that appeal to you through these experiences.
The most important skills you'll need are the following: clear communication, emotional awareness, empathy, active listening, and the capacity to remain composed under duress. Hearing extremely personal, occasionally upsetting stories is a part of the job description for therapists. To support people without taking on their suffering yourself, you'll need to have solid boundaries and emotional control. To assist clients in exploring their emotions and moving forward, you will also learn how to think critically and formulate appropriate questions.
It can be challenging at first, especially when you're initially starting out, when it comes to communicating. However, therapeutic training teaches you how to calmly and clearly discuss challenging subjects. Your lecturers and supervisors will help you at every stage as you acquire the talent of communicating with people in a way that makes them feel heard and seen.
A great starting point is if you're already inquisitive, sympathetic, and driven to help others. Although becoming a therapist can be difficult, it is also very fulfilling and more important than ever. Undoubtedly, you're headed in the right direction.
Best wishes!
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
161
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Hailey, great question! First and most important you need to be interested in people. Sounds simple but what I mean is that you need to have a certain level of fascination with how the brain works, the brain/body connection, how the nervous system works, the impact of trauma or adverse experiences, the building blocks of resiliency and hopefulness, what impacts a person's motivation, and more. Psychology is technically a science; it is also an art- to sit with a person and listen deeply, to continuously hold empathy for what a patient has endured, and to build a self-care practice for yourself. Did I personally enter the field with this in mind? Not at all. I had my own experience being in treatment and a desire to merge my love of art with helping others. Most everything else I learned in graduate school and post-grad working with every type of person under the sun- from pediatrics to geriatrics. Communication is one of my biggest goals in life; I work on my listening ability and communication skills daily. Luckily, I get a lot of opportunities to practice. One piece of advice- surround yourself with those who are great communicators, therapists, or researchers (whatever it is you want to improve) and learn vicariously. You will be constantly learning and growing in doing this work. As you continue your studies, you will figure out what topics, therapeutic styles, and clinical environments are most attractive and align with your own values. The hours post-grad (direct contact with patients and supervision) can seem overwhelming; there is also a licensing exam (a separate exam per license- for instance counseling vs marriage/family vs doctorate in psychology). Take one step at a time; ultimately you are going to be gaining essential skills necessary to your professional development. You will not graduate from school an expert; this takes years of ongoing experience and continuing education. And during this time, you will make mistakes and be imperfect. You are only human after all!