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Best clinical therapist certifications
The best certifications for a clinical therapist are Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), and Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW).
Clinical therapist certifications demonstrate your competency as a clinical therapist to employers. However, not all clinical therapist certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best clinical therapist certifications. Obtaining a clinical therapist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
8 best certifications for clinical therapists
| Rank | Clinical therapist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist | NBCCH |
| 2 | Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) | NBCC |
| 3 | Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW) | NASW |
| 4 | Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) | NASW |
| 5 | Certified Clinical Supervisor | ACADC |
| 6 | Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW) | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 7 | Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS) | ATCB |
| 8 | Master Therapist (MTAPA) | APA, DAPA |
8 best clinical therapist certifications
1. Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
The National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists is an established certification board that has provided a respected credential to over three thousand of your colleagues. The National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists is unique in providing certification and networking opportunities to professionals from all mental health and medical disciplines who meet the Board's standards. Six certification categories are provided: 1) National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (NBCCH). 2) National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist in Public Service (NBCCH-PS). 3) National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy (NBCDCH). 4) National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Public Service (NBCDCH-PS). 5) National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy (NBCFCH). 6) National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Public Service (NBCFCH-PS).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
2. Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
The CCMHC was launched originally in 1979 by the National Academy for Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors. In 1993, the Academy and NBCC reached an agreement for NBCC to take over administration and testing for the CCMHC certification. Over 1100 NCCs currently hold the CCMHC certification.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW)
The Academy of Certified Social Workers was established in 1960 and remains the most widely recognized and respected social work credential. Social workers who hold the ACSW are qualified providers of social services. Social workers who hold the ACSW have: A current NASW membership; A master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); Documented two years of postgraduate social work employment and professional supervision by an MSW credentialed supervisor; Provided professional evaluations that validate their knowledge, understanding, and application of social work principles and values from an MSW supervisor and two social work colleagues; Verified 20 hours of relevant continuing education; and Agreed to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education, and are subject to the NASW adjudication process. NASW professional credentials and specialty certifications provide recognition to those who have met national standards for higher levels of experience and knowledge, and are not a substitute for required state licenses or certifications.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS)
The Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) works with individuals, groups and families providing case management, conflict mediation and resolution, crisis intervention, group work, community organizing, advocacy, consultation, effective educational stratifies, and documentation. They utilize theories of human behavior and development, and methods of social work practice to support students within public and private school settings. C-SSWS have core knowledge and skills in the areas of: social work ethics; program development and management skills; social work modalities and procedures; characteristics of student populations; multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary activities; and public education and federal and state laws
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Certified Clinical Supervisor
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
6. Certification in Forensic Social Work (CFSW)
Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to the law and legal system, both criminal and civil. Forensic social workers help children and families involved in custody issues, including but not limited to separation, divorce, neglect, and the termination of parental rights. The social workers also deal with the implications of child and spouse abuse. Forensic social workers may work in a number of settings, including juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
7. Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS)
The Art Therapy Certified Supervisor (ATCS) is a newly available credential offered to qualified Board Certified Art Therapists (ATR-BCs) who are interested in demonstrating substantial supervision qualifications. This credential informs employers, prospective employers, supervisees, and prospective supervisees, that the individual providing art therapy supervision has met specific criteria for competency in the theories and practices of art therapy supervision.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
8. Master Therapist (MTAPA)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
What is the best certification for a clinical therapist?
The best clinical therapist certification is Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. The Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist is awarded by the National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this clinical therapist certification:
- To become a certified Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, you don't need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What certifications can impact a clinical therapist career and salary?
The Certified School Social Work Specialist certification will help you to secure a school social worker position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A school social worker's average salary is $49,261 whereas clinical therapists make an average salary of $57,864.
The most common combination of clinical therapist certifications include: Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), and Academy of Certified Social Workers Credential (ACSW).
Online courses for clinical therapists to earn certifications
1. Clinical Trials Operations
This specialization is designed for individuals and teams that will be running or interacting with clinical trials. In four courses, learners will develop insights and build the skills they need to design, manage, and monitor clinical trials as well as analyze, document, and communicate the results. Learners will also learn best practices regarding ethics, safety, participant recruitment, regulatory compliance, and reporting standards. The core principles and skills of the specialization will...
2. Clinical Data Science
Are you interested in how to use data generated by doctors, nurses, and the healthcare system to improve the care of future patients? If so, you may be a future clinical data scientist!\n\nThis specialization provides learners with hands on experience in use of electronic health records and informatics tools to perform clinical data science. This series of six courses is designed to augment learner’s existing skills in statistics and programming to provide examples of specific challenges,...
3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
4. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
5. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance
In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...
6. Predictive Modeling and Transforming Clinical Practice
This course teaches you the fundamentals of transforming clinical practice using predictive models. This course examines specific challenges and methods of clinical implementation, that clinical data scientists must be aware of when developing their predictive models...
7. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
8. Advanced Training for Trauma Treatment of Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD...
9. Basic of Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Management...
10. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
11. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals
The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...
12. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research
Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...
13. The Comprehensive PTSD Course
**The Only Dedicated & Comprehensive PTSD Course On The (UDEMY) Platform! – Everything You Need To Know About PTSD**...
14. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research
The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...
15. Certificate Course in Clinical Research (CCCR)
A Clinical Research Course-ICH-GCP E6(R2), Clinical Trials, Essential Documents, Sponsor, Investigator, Pharmaceuticals...
16. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS
Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...
17. Treating PTSD, Trauma & Phobias With The Rewind Technique
Learn to treat phobias, PTSD & trauma underlying many problems (depression, anxiety, addictions) often in one session...
18. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
19. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
20. The Complete EMDR Therapy Course - Accredited Certification
International EMDR Training for Self-Healing, Trauma Therapy, Childhood Healing, PTSD, Grief, and Counseling...