Tips I wish I knew before going undergrad as a therapist

[Sphinx]

These are tips I am using for when collage hits me like a whale slapping the ocean waters… These should also help any Striving-To-Be therapists

My goal is to do Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) or a Mental Health Therapy (LMHT)

Here are some requirements (some people’s education is different)

• 4 Year undergrad degree - In Psychology
• 2 years graduate program - Masters In clinical psychology
• 1 Year studying for GRE (Basically like an SAT)
• Start practicum - Gather 3,000-15,000+ for Clinical hours
• Clinical exam

Now not everyone will do the same path, But this is just some of the things I’d do.

Each state has a different amount of hours that you need to complete for clinical hours.

For clinical hours you must have a clinical supervisor, You also pay them out of pocket. Around 100 through thousands of dollars per hour. Now, some employers cover some supervision expenses so don’t sweat.

Think about if you want to do Private practice, Indipendent contractor, or if you want to work for an Agency. (School, hospital, Business.) Also, remember that you may not be making as much money if you go to an agency. I can’t put a hold on how much exactly, Just not as much as you might think.

It’s a good choice to Minor in business so you can have a good understanding of what you’ll be doing. Either if it’s for private practice, and Agency, or whatever.

What you’ll need to know

• Managing your finances
• Managing Taxes
• How to Start your own business (Private practice)
• fees and Rate
• Insurance/Claims
• How to market yourself

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podcasts are a really great way to start to learn the things you’d usually wouldn’t in school.

Here are some I find reliable

Private Practice Skills
Therapist Uncensored
Selling the couch

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Next, you must consider what your Niche will be, what most people are looking for in a therapist is uniqueness… So what will you to most of/Specialize in

This can be disorders like ADHD, Bipolar, AU, Depression or Be things like Marriage, Family, Women, Children, Men, ect.

It’s good to consider a Bachelors of Arts , an S.I.D/PhD, and a Masters level degree These will help you find more places to work with you. A doctorates isn’t… required but most places recommend or even only hire people who do Research over teaching.

Since I’m still learning, I can’t go into great detail, these are just some notes I have taken in order to succeed as a therapist, I hope I’ve helped any striving therapists/Counselors

[A Former User]

Sphinx thats cool not gonna fucking lie but i’m gonna be a author so maybe we could pair up so we could make a book to help people inprove their mental heath

[A Former User]

@PopTart_Yeeter one day)

[Sphinx]

@PopTart_Yeeter Of course! I’d love to help you ( ദ്ദി ˙ᗜ˙ )

[A Former User]

Sphinx we’ll split the profits frfr

[Sphinx]

@PopTart_Yeeter It’ll be like my second job :)