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What is it like being a therapist? How long do you have to be in school? Can I do a trade?
I'm curious in knowing about what the schedule of a therapist looks like. #children #psychology #therapist #therapy #hospital #mentalhealth
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Samuel’s Answer
Greetings and salutations! My name is Samuel Colis Achiles. I am a recent graduate from California State University Dominguez Hills, majoring in kinesiology. My field of study encompasses a myriad of careers which are in need of therapists. My major of study explores options of therapy in sports medicine, athletics training, physical therapy, etc. I am telling you this, because as Christine mentioned above, depending on which option you choose, it may take 4 to 6 years at most in college in order to get your Bachelor's as a therapist. However, from my experience, on average, it can also take 5 years. Then again, it all depends on the option you choose.
Again drawing from my experience, in several major subjects in kinesiology, we would do therapy lab sessions that would simulate situations of engagement with clients. I would say that on average, each session would last around 30 minutes, depending on your client, and what his/her needs are, and how to properly address those needs accordingly.
That is all the advice I have as of now. I hope this helps.
Again drawing from my experience, in several major subjects in kinesiology, we would do therapy lab sessions that would simulate situations of engagement with clients. I would say that on average, each session would last around 30 minutes, depending on your client, and what his/her needs are, and how to properly address those needs accordingly.
That is all the advice I have as of now. I hope this helps.
Updated
christine’s Answer
Hi Jordan. You can be a therapist after 4 years or 6 years of college. You can study Social Work or Counseling and if you get your masters degree you can get a professional license to provide counseling for people. You can see people in your own office, a clinic, or a hospital. You might want to work in a mental health clinic after you get your Bachelors degree and see how you like it. If you enjoy it and want to get your Masters degree , you may find that employers will pay for your tuition while you get your Masters part- time while you work for the employer. A typical therapist will see several people (maybe 6 or 7) per day for 50 minute counseling sessions. The therapist takes 10 minutes after the session to write notes about the session or take care of billing forms. Usually there is some supervision for the therapist from a supervisor or Senior therapist to support and help the therapist with her work. Some therapists provide group or family or couples counseling in addition to individual counseling. Some therapists specialize with one population- children, teens, senior citizens etc. Some therapists specialize in working on certain problems- depression, eating disorders, anxiety etc... It is a very interesting career!
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Camila’s Answer
Hey there! In my experience, working in Behavioral Health is a high demand and high reward job. However, it all depends on the setting you choose to pursue. Schooling will depend on that choice too. I have my degree in mental health counseling, which took me 2 years full-time for classes, then there were 2000 experience hours, and finally the test. The schedule will depend a lot on the setting you choose. Inpatient facilities, emergency departments and crisis centers tend to have 12 hour shifts 3 days/week (4 day weekends!). There's a high demand for weekend and overnight workers, and national holidays may not apply. You can work in schools and have the same schedule as the kids (including summers off). You can also work in an outpatient clinic, be paid per session and make your own hours (flexible, but no work = no pay). Telehealth services (online therapy) has gone through intense growth because of COVID. There aren't many degrees our there that include this level of flexibility!