What is a primary therapist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Ron Precht

The primary goal of a primary therapist is to help clients achieve their treatment goals and make positive changes in their lives. A primary therapist works closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans and provide ongoing support. They specialize in a particular area of mental health, such as addiction or trauma, and work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure clients receive comprehensive care.

What general advice would you give to a primary therapist?

Ron Precht

Senior Manager, American Massage Therapy Association

Generally, metropolitan areas have had more openings for massage therapists. This is a report from the end of 2019 that has the most recent data we have available. Report

ScorePrimary TherapistUS Average

Salary

4.7

Avg. Salary $59,826

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.3

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.62%

Asian 3.12%

Black or African American 7.90%

Hispanic or Latino 7.90%

Unknown 6.24%

White 74.22%

Gender

female 72.88%

male 27.12%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

9.3

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a primary therapist?

Pros

Opportunity to make a positive impact on clients' lives
Continuous learning and professional growth
Flexibility in scheduling and work setting
Potential for high earning potential with experience
Ability to work independently and make clinical decisions

Cons

Heavy workload and long hours
High cost of education and training required for the job
Limited job security due to changes in insurance policies or funding
Possible ethical dilemmas and legal liability issues
Time-consuming paperwork and documentation requirements

Key steps to become a primary therapist

Explore primary therapist education requirements

Most common primary therapist degrees

Master's

49.3 %

Bachelor's

41.9 %

Associate

5.2 %

Start to develop specific primary therapist skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	16.58%
Social Work	14.43%
Group Therapy Sessions	8.32%
Eating Disorders	7.26%
Patient Care	5.36%

Complete relevant primary therapist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New primary 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 primary therapist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real primary therapist resumes.

Research primary therapist duties and responsibilities

Case managing, intakes, group and individual session, treatment plans, OASAS standards
Provide clinical therapy for severely emotionally disturb adolescents and their families to aid in the rehabilitation process.
Perform crisis intervention, including management of difficult or resistant patients, utilizing clinically appropriate accept techniques and methods.
Assist in development of extend hour IOP and PHP program.

Prepare your primary therapist resume

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