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What is a clinical therapist and how to become one
Clinical therapists often referred to as mental health counselors, providing counseling services for customers with a broad range of issues, including addiction, emotional distress, mental illness, social obstacles or relationship struggles, among other topics. They may work with individuals, families, couples, or larger groups. Some specialize in a particular kind of counseling, such as marriage and family therapy. Besides, all therapists must be licensed to practice independently.
The educational qualifications required for a licensed clinical therapist include a master's degree in mental health counseling. Besides taking courses such as counseling theory, human development, ethics, and psychopathology, the requirements also incorporate a substantial clinical internship.
As a licensed counselor or therapist, you may be employed in an inpatient or outpatient mental health facility, a family service center, hospital or substance abuse center. Private practice is always an option. Subsequently, you can earn as high as $44,630 per annum.
What general advice would you give to a clinical therapist?
Ron Precht
Senior Manager, American Massage Therapy Association
Avg. Salary $57,864
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 17%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%
Asian 11.25%
Black or African American 3.98%
Hispanic or Latino 7.92%
Unknown 3.80%
White 72.57%
Genderfemale 76.61%
male 23.39%
Age - 40American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 40Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Clinical therapist career paths
Key steps to become a clinical therapist
Explore clinical therapist education requirements
Start to develop specific clinical therapist skills
Skills Percentages Social Work 25.68% Patients 12.05% Crisis Intervention 7.68% Mental Health 4.30% Discharge Planning 4.05% Complete relevant clinical therapist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical therapists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical therapist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical therapist resumes.Research clinical therapist duties and responsibilities
- Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
- Provide direct treatment services such as individual/group therapy and intervene in crisis situations when patients exhibit acute psychiatric symptoms.
- Direct patients to designate residential or supportive living options, community base placement/ treatment or other resources as necessary.
- Provide training for federal and public organizations regarding the psychological aspects of veterans having experience combat or military sexual trauma.
Prepare your clinical therapist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical therapist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical therapist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable clinical therapist resume templates
Build a professional clinical therapist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical therapist resume.
Apply for clinical therapist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a clinical therapist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first clinical therapist job
Are you a clinical therapist?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average clinical therapist salary
The average clinical therapist salary in the United States is $57,864 per year or $28 per hour. Clinical therapist salaries range between $42,000 and $77,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do clinical therapists rate their job?
Clinical therapist reviews
Making a difference in someone's life. Seeing positive changes.
Late hours after 9 pm or before 9 am
The (working) clients will always be the best part of this job. There are certain individuals who you can feel want to learn more about their conditions and to adopt healthier thinking patterns or lifestyles.
The insane amount of paperwork, the insurance/agency politics, the high expectations, the low amount of support. Burnout is very concerning for a profession where people in the frontline are the ones trying to make a difference. Individuals who work in this field need to have an incentive to keep pushing. I’m sorry but a kind heart and good intentions are not enough to sustain this type of career.
Updated January 8, 2025
