How would you get practice with child therapist?

Child therapists are required to have at least a master's degree in counseling or social work or a doctoral degree in psychology. A Bachelor's degree is the first requirement for a child counselor, and most places of employment, as well as state boards, require a Master's or Doctoral level education.

Hi, Nicolas, When I was a counseling professor, we had lab rooms with two-way mirrors where counseling students held mock sessions observed by peers and myself, followed by feedback. None of us were real "clients," per se, but we did share real issues, so the practice was as real as you could get in that setting. Then our students had practica and internships in the field in clinical and academic settings of their choosing, where, under close supervision of an on-site supervisor, they got to work with real clients. This was a great gradual way to build skills and confidence while still in school. Following graduation with a Master's (and this is state-dependent based on licensing regulations), students could take an exam to get an initial license, then work 2 years under supervision, then take a second exam for full clinical licensure. All along, students had plenty of instructors, supervisors, and mentors to support their practice and growth as therapists. Good luck!

I assume you mean practice "as" a child therapist. My recommendation is to get education as a psychologist and then specialize in child therapy. The way to get exposure to that sort of practical experience is to start training, get a bachelors degree and then take the next step of applying for co-op or internship experience. You college and counselor can steer you to these opportunities. They will first give you experience of course, next it will give you a better idea of exactly what you want to specialize in, and it will get you contacts with professionals who can help you in your career to make you the most effective counselor or therapist you can be. The shaping of a young mind is a tremendous responsibility, crucial to improving society, and one of the most rewarding experiences you can possibly have. Trust me on this. The worst that could happen is that you change your mind on what you want to do, but in the process, you'll get a better understanding of human beings in our world.