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Job outlook for therapists in the United States
Therapist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected therapist job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 40,400 new jobs for therapists are projected over the next decade.
Therapist salaries have increased 7% for therapists in the last 5 years.
There are over 192,497 therapists currently employed in the United States.
There are 159,770 active therapist job openings in the US.
The average therapist salary is $55,943.
Are therapist jobs in demand?
Therapist job and salary trends over time
Therapist jobs over time
Therapist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192,497 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 193,825 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 198,811 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 190,154 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 184,698 | 0.06% |
Average therapist salary over time
Therapist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,943 | $26.90 | +1.8% |
| 2025 | $54,978 | $26.43 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $54,050 | $25.99 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $53,386 | $25.67 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $52,495 | $25.24 | +1.6% |
Therapist jobs by state
Most common states for therapists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 276 | 44% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 558 | 42% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,419 | 35% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 332 | 31% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 235 | 31% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 231 | 31% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 243 | 28% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 543 | 26% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 478 | 25% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 144 | 25% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 327 | 24% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 843 | 23% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 209 | 22% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,378 | 21% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 219 | 21% |
| 16 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 4,198 | 20% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,417 | 20% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 982 | 20% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 366 | 20% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 141 | 20% |
Most common cities for therapists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenosha | 6 | 6% | $48,701 |
| 2 | Portland | 4 | 6% | $58,928 |
| 3 | Appleton | 3 | 4% | $48,957 |
| 4 | Bethlehem | 3 | 4% | $57,594 |
| 5 | Mobile | 6 | 3% | $55,595 |
| 6 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $62,534 |
| 7 | Tucson | 8 | 2% | $53,603 |
| 8 | Fort Wayne | 6 | 2% | $48,872 |
| 9 | Scottsdale | 5 | 2% | $54,586 |
| 10 | Philadelphia | 8 | 1% | $58,386 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 7 | 1% | $47,354 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $62,119 |
| 13 | Las Vegas | 4 | 1% | $60,981 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $50,118 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 8 | 0% | $71,690 |
| 16 | New York | 6 | 0% | $61,297 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $54,615 |
| 18 | San Diego | 5 | 0% | $68,409 |
| 19 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $60,698 |
Therapist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of therapist experts
Western Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University
Florida Institute of Technology
Loyola University New Orleans
SUNY College at Oswego
Radford University
San Francisco State University
Ohio State University
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
University of Toledo
Marymount University
Meredith College
St. John Fisher College
Penn State College of Medicine
San Diego State University
Lindsey Nichols
Associate ProfessorWhat will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Lindsey Nichols: Usually people interested in counseling are not thinking about money, but with rising costs, home prices, daycare etc. making sure you are diligent about knowing counseling rates it the area you want to live and work is the first thing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great tool to give you a foundation and making connections with fellow counselors in your area. Starting your career, if you are preparing to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in your state (specialties like school counseling don't require additional training upon graduation, but you have to confirm you have met requirements from the state Department of Education.) you will have to do additional training and supervision. Once you become an LPC, opportunities open up like choices to go into private practice etc., it is a long process, but for most, it goes by quickly!
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: It will be important to network and utilize professional organizations of which you are a member, such as the ACA (American Counseling Association), or the ASGW (Association for Specialists in Group Work), for example. Meet people, attend training for advanced skills in key areas, and present there when possible. Whether locally or nationally, these are valuable connections to make when starting out, and will also enhance your knowledge base as you begin and grow. Another valuable connection to be made can be found through your alma mater. Find professional affinity groups from your undergraduate program, and certainly maintain or build ties with your graduate program alumni. Finally, many people turn to social media such as Linkedin, which is fine, but can also be a bit overwhelming. Be deliberate in your choices about who to connect with, and don't get fomo! It's ok not to connect with everyone that pops up in your feed. Stay with one social media site at a time until you feel it's working the way you'd like, and then go on to another.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: Two of the most heavily sought out areas of expertise in the field today are trauma and substance use disorders. If you have taken courses in these areas as a grad student, bravo for you! The aftermath of the pandemic has left us in tremendous need of caring, coping strategies for trauma, as well as more evidence based, compassionate care for substance use disorders. The old tough love strategies aren't really effective in today's complex world. Sometimes students will say that they don't want to work with substance abuse, but it's shortsighted to think that you won't, even in a private practice. Many, if not most people seeking help are impacted by substances, either via someone they know or someone in the family. The emergence of legalized sports betting has also begun a new level of problematic gambling that will require a good skill set. Group work for these and other disorders will increase, so the ability to work well in groups will be in high demand. Additionally, we are at the early stages of successful use of psychedelic medicines for a range of mental health disorders. Learning about these possibilities will be important in terms of making appropriate referrals to psychedelic providers. Finally, I will mention a typically unmentionable or perhaps forgotten area that we need better skills in now more than ever. End of life counseling needs are rising as our elderly population in the US soars. We need to be able to support clients and their families through the processes and anxieties that come with these highly difficult experiences. I am beginning a summer course at MSU now in End of Life Counseling as an elective, and the class is FULL. Many of us want and need to explore this final stage of the lifespan, both professionally and personally, in order to be of maximal assistance to others.
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC
Associate ProfessorWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: Starting a career in counseling is a fulfilling journey but comes with its own set of challenges. My advice to graduates stepping into this field would be to prioritize self-care. It's crucial to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life, especially when dealing with emotionally taxing situations. Seek supervision and mentorship regularly; having guidance from experienced professionals can provide invaluable insights and support as you navigate your counseling career. Additionally, stay open to continuous learning. The field of counseling is dynamic, with new research and techniques emerging constantly. Pursue opportunities for further education, attend workshops, and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. Cultivate empathy and cultural competence to better understand and connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. Building strong therapeutic relationships based on trust and empathy is at the core of effective counseling practice. Lastly, remember to advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of access to quality mental health services. Being a counselor goes beyond individual sessions; it involves being an advocate for your clients' well-being within the larger societal context.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: In the evolving field of counseling, several skills are likely to become even more important e in the coming years. Firstly, digital literacy and proficiency in utilizing technology for counseling services will become increasingly important. As more counseling sessions move online or incorporate digital tools, counselors will need to adapt and leverage these technologies effectively while maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards. Secondly, a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and techniques will be crucial. With growing awareness about trauma's impact on mental health, counselors must be equipped to provide trauma-informed interventions and create safe therapeutic spaces for clients who have experienced trauma. Cultural competence and diversity awareness will continue to be essential skills for counselors. As our societies become more diverse, counselors must be able to work effectively with clients from various cultural backgrounds, respecting their beliefs, values, and identities. Additionally, skills related to teletherapy and remote counseling will likely become more prevalent. Counselors will need to excel in building therapeutic rapport and conducting effective counseling sessions through virtual platforms, ensuring continuity of care for clients regardless of geographical constraints. Lastly, skills in advocacy and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams will be increasingly valuable. Counselors may need to advocate for policy changes, mental health resources, and equitable access to services. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, social workers, and community organizations will enhance holistic care for clients.
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: All the skills we need to do well in this field are important since we are dealing with people's lives and livelihoods. I believe anyone entering this field needs to recognize the significance and seriousness of our work. In the next 3-5 years, the ever-changing landscape of the population will require us to be continuously working on the competencies and ethical codes mandated through our identities as professional counselors. There is a wonderful counseling model by Ratts and Pederson (2014) called the Counselor-Advocate-Scholar model. I teach this to all my students and during my professional development workshops. This model highlights the three main areas in which we need to be constantly working on and growing in: (1) counseling work, skills, and competencies; (2) advocacy work, skills, and competencies; and (3) research to learn about best practices, recent scholarly innovations to the field, and adding more research to our field. This model can be used in the future as it adapts to whatever changes in the field and population may be occurring/prevalent in the future.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: Find a site with great supervision and a diverse range of clients. New clinicians really need to lean into competent and compassionate supervisory experiences that will help them not only increase their counseling competencies but also support in their growth around professional counseling identity, personal development, and multicultural and social justice advocacy. Additionally, working with a diverse range of clients at the beginning of a career will also support in increasing competencies in all the various areas of our field from skills and interventions to diagnosing and treatment planning.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: I believe multiple language and cultural knowledges and experiences are great assets to have, and also to integrate human specific and technology integration with the mental health field, by also considering ethics, culture, and humane relevancy. Neuropsychology is also a developing field and integration with mental health treatment is increasing.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: In the mental health field I believe it is the interaction between humans and technology, particular to the advance of AI. Also to embrace diversity and cultural difference and how to collaboratively work with them.
Kevin Foose
Professor of PracticeLoyola University New Orleans
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Kevin Foose: Secondly, I believe that the capacity to be flexible, creative and adaptive are essential skills to cultivate in the current cultural environment. Towards this end, I integrate a bit of Chaos Theory into much of my teaching and mentoring and general world view.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Foose: As our graduates enter the field of counseling and psychotherapy, the guidance that I provide is generally threefold. First I suggest that they develop a niche practice which they are passionate about. I encourage them to specialize rather than 'generalize' their practice. Towards that end I advise that they find a clinical supervisor and mentor with whom they share a theoretical and philosophical foundation. I encourage them to surround themselves with talented, experienced and inspiring professionals. And to follow their curiosity and cultivate the capacity to become highly competent clinically and theoretically with a specific population and modality of treatment (such as working with couples & relationships, adolescence, social justice & advocacy, play therapy etc).
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: The bulk of the work a mental health counselor does is clinical, meaning you meet with clients and provide counseling. There is also record keeping, preparation, and administrative responsibilities. New and seasoned counselors alike spend some time in supervision and consultation with other counselors. Supervision is a time to discuss cases with a more experienced professional where there are opportunities for growth professionally and personally. Consultation involves either meeting with others connected to your clients, like parents of children clients, or with professionals in mental health and other fields that can help the counselor sort out a challenge. In that case it may be an attorney or a trauma specialist.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: There are so many opportunities for mental health counselors entering the field. The need for our services is at an all time high. Recently, there has been a great deal of focus on self-care for professional counselors to ward off compassion fatigue. There is much more being offered for counselor self-care than when I entered the field three decades ago.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jay Caughron: This question really depends on the type of psychology a person is practicing. Of course, everyone immediately thinks of therapy work – and many people in the field are doing therapeutic work – but there are several other avenues as well. Those with a school psychology degree help students with learning disabilities. Those with an industrial and organizational psychology degree help organizations create an environment in which their employees feel empowered to do their best work. Those who are therapists will be engaging with people from the community that have challenges with addiction, family situations, or mental health. On a day-to-day basis the work looks a little different as well. If you are a school psychologist, you will be working in a school setting with students and teachers to enable student performance. If you are an I/O psychologist, you will be working with organizational leaders to change their workplace for the better. If you are a therapist, you will be meeting with clients with a variety of needs in a clinical setting.
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Elif Balin: As we have witnessed since the pandemic, there is a fast transition to virtual mental health counseling practices. Beyond the virtual/video setting, counselors now have the option to collaborate with multiple stakeholders and networks to deliver their services. Some of these systems are more structured and expect counselors to shape their practices according to their delivery modalities (e.g., text messaging, online chat, learn and use a specific evidence-based therapy/counseling framework), while others involve counselors in the creation of new modalities (e.g., psychoeducational programs, phone applications). Thus, counselors should consider developing skills to understand and navigate changing technologies, devices, and program designs. They will need more skills to set and maintain boundaries against dysfunctional multitasking with new demands for availability/accessibility. They will also need to keep their own career planning and job application skills updated in case they need more transitions between jobs, roles, and settings due to the unpredictable nature of changes to their settings.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Elif Balin: As prospective counselors, it's essential to recognize that your career journeys begin when you start exploring and applying for training programs. The curriculum, faculty expertise areas, availability of training opportunities (e.g., internship sites), diversity of an active alumni network, and other aspects of these programs will significantly influence your career readiness and transition to jobs. After graduation, I strongly suggest you stay connected to your training programs, mentors, and alumni networks. This will help you access the hidden job market (e.g., potentially upcoming job openings and priorities for hiring criteria) in your areas of interest or work settings and make you feel supported and part of a community. In case you think your training program did not adequately prepare you for the job market, keep searching for mentors, which can be a one-time meeting or email exchange to learn about what helped them find employment or a longer-term connection that provides you with more insight and feedback about your ongoing areas of growth. Remember that your first job is most likely the first stepping stone toward the following opportunities. Even if you feel discontent with some aspects of a first job, it can lead to meaningful connections and happenstances to create future opportunities. Be aware of your most important needs and values that you can’t sacrifice for your physical and mental well-being, and aspire for a job that gets you what you need to continue growing and making connections toward more desirable next steps. When possible, self-advocate and seek additional resources (e.g., family, community, local or regional professional development grants, additional jobs) that may help you get started with some meaningful first experience and sustain your ongoing career planning.
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: The combination of the increased need for mental healthcare following a global pandemic, as well as the increased advocacy for mental health awareness to defeat the stigma that has always surrounded treatment, means that there is a lot of work to be done to provide the services that we need. If you or someone you know has tried to get an appointment with a counselor lately, you have probably encountered some pretty lengthy wait times. It seems that every practice is full and there’s practically no way to get seen quickly. We need more practitioners and more efficient ways to serve some clients who are struggling with some really pressing concerns.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: There are so many different employment positions that a mental health counselor could take that a day could be incredibly different depending on their area of specialty. A private practitioner could have a full day of hour long individual sessions. A hospital based counselor might spend time running groups or doing crisis stabilization. A home-based counselor might travel from site to site providing family therapy or assessing living situations for child placement. Someone working in a substance use rehabilitation facility might find themselves Providing individual, group, and family therapy all within the span of several hours. In other words, a mental health counselor is going to be very flexible and able to provide a number of different services depending on the type of work that interests them and that they find themselves seeking specialty training and credentialing in.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: When I talk to my former students as well as my friends and colleagues in the profession, they all tell me how richly rewarded they are providing a service to people who struggle with aspects of mental health. Being part of someone’s treatment, watching them find their way through trauma that has been burdening them, helping people leave behind a pass that no longer serves them, helping them find a way through genetically predisposed illness, or to overcome thoughts of death or suicide… These are all remarkable journeys to embark on with clients. To have the privilege to be part of healing when people are in crisis and pain and at their most vulnerable is really an awesome honor. Those experiences keep us hopeful and.buoyed throughout our career. When working in such an interpersonally intense profession, carrying that weight can be challenging itself. Some of the more routine tasks of the work that we do can also be burdening. As mental health counselors, we find ourselves making sure that we seek to do our own work in order to be able to do this work for others.
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Dr. Catherine Lounsbury Ed.D., LCPC: Hello Alex, Attached please find my answers to your questions. Please let me know if anything else would be helpful. Thank you, Cathy
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Catherine Lounsbury Ed.D., LCPC: Hello Alex, Attached please find my answers to your questions. Please let me know if anything else would be helpful. Thank you, Cathy
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Samantha Bates PhD, LISW-S: One of the best things about being a mental health practitioner is supporting someone during a time of immense need. The human spirit is beautiful to witness, and the role of a mental health provider is to use the vulnerability and time spent together to empower someone to see their strengths, utilize new skills, and decide what the future holds for them. I think the best day of my professional career was when a young woman told me that had I not been in her life at the time she might not be here today. Knowing you were a support for someone, and the time you spent together made an impact, is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. One thing that is challenging in the mental health profession is the lack of coordinated services and supports. Access and equity continue to challenge the profession and are issues we must address to tackle the mental health crisis.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Samantha Bates PhD, LISW-S: A mental health counselor may provide a continuum of services and supports. This might include case management services, triage and screenings, brief solution-focused therapy, long-term psychotherapy, and crisis intervention. Daily, mental health counselors often interact with clients on a one-on-one basis, work with teams to consult on complex cases or make referrals to healthcare or community agencies, and spend time doing administrative tasks such as billing and documentation.
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP
Professor and Deputy DirectorFairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP: I believe versatility is key to maximize a psychotherapist's income potential, especially at the start of a career. Most psychotherapists implicitly or explicitly develop areas of expertise, which is great for marketing as well as for cultivating a strong skillset with a particular population or diagnostic category. The challenge for some, especially at the start of a career, is that if one's developing area of expertise is too niche it can be challenging to develop a patient caseload. Therefore, it behooves clinicians to also develop a broad skillset. In addition to what populations or conditions with whom you work, the mental health field often allows for flexibility in where you work. Therefore, another meaningful way to maximize your income is to, for example, work in a clinic but also start a part time private practice. Or, consider adjunct teaching in addition to your clinical work. These approaches can add to your income in addition to enriching your excitement for the field.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP: Conducting psychotherapy and counseling via technology. Teletherapy, though already in existence pre-COVID, unquestionably accelerated since the pandemic. Therefore, I think thus use of technology will remain prevalent. With that, I encourage therapists to, if possible, develop an in-person practice as well. Psychotherapy and counseling is a human and relational experience, and patients or clients' preferences in their therapeutic experience varies. Therefore, I think it is important for therapists to be skilled in both.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Anthony Tasso Ph.D., ABPP: The best advice I can give entering the field of psychotherapy or counseling is that it is a field that deals with humans. Therefore, curiosity about why people do what they do and how they developed healthy and unhealthy propensities is crucial. Additionally, it’s important to understand that the only way to grow as a psychotherapist is to continue to learn. The clinician who graduates and never reads a professional book or article again will become stagnant. Alternatively, the psychotherapist who continues to read to acquires knowledge through other means will get even better with time.
Holly Eichner Ph.D.
Program DirectorUniversity of Toledo
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Holly Eichner Ph.D.: In the field of Recreational Therapy, diversity, creativity, and flexibility are essential. When working in healthcare and helping professions individuals need to remember we are working with people who are more than their diagnosis, they come to us with a variety of life experiences. Increasing your awareness of how the social determinants of health impact health outcomes can help you negotiate barriers that could inhibit the healing process.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Holly Eichner Ph.D.: Do not be afraid to negotiate and do your research. Understand the market and the area you are applying to as well as what other Recreational Therapists are making. Some employers pay better than others, so if salary is important seek out those areas of practice. Also ask about the growth potential of the position. Many healthcare systems offer step increases or raises as well as a variety of benefits that you should consider in your decision.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Holly Eichner Ph.D.: Take every opportunity for mentorship and learning that is made available to you. Your education does not end at graduation. Network through professional organizations, conferences, and alumni events. There is a lot left to learn and engaging with Recreational Therapist who have been in the field for 5, 10, or 25 years can offer you insights and connections that can be invaluable on our career journey.
Dion Porter Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Department Chair Coordinator-Online Educational Specialist ProgramsWhat general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: Strong counseling and empathy skills of course are important, but also one must possess strong interpersonal skills that will assist them in relating and collaborating well with other people. It is very important that one possess the right personality as well as character in order for them to become an effective and competent counselor. They also need to have strong multicultural counseling skills in order to effectively and efficiently counsel persons from diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities. Finally, one must possess the skills associated with professionalism related to their personal mannerisms, speech and communication, dress and interpersonal awareness. Of course for anyone to be competitive in this day and age, they will need to be well versed and trained in the specific technology and social-media tools needed to effectively perform the proper functions of their job.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: The first thing to keep in mind is that in order to receive promotions and salary increases, one needs to always continue to improve themselves, their counseling skills and their overall knowledge and proficiency related to their specific job. Not only do we need to keep practicing self-improvement and growing as a counseling professional, but we also need to remember to continue obtaining the licenses and certifications needed for them to remain qualified to be able to maintain their positions. Finally, we want to consistently and effectively market ourselves and never be afraid to take professional chances and risks that may benefit us and our careers in the long run.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Dion Porter Ph.D.: I would first convey to students how important it is to first know exactly what type of counseling they want to engage in so that they do not get engaged in a job or career that they have no real interest in. I would also discuss with them the importance of not only getting their degrees in counseling, but obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications needed for them to be successful. It is very important that they obtain all that they can get out of the opportunity that is provided to them. Finally, I would strongly recommend that they seek out and find a mentor who they are familiar with and who will assist them in making important career decisions, and even alert them to the pitfalls that may be encountered as well.
Stephanie Chalk
Associate Director of the School of Counseling at Marymount UniversityMarymount University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Therapist?
Stephanie Chalk: Competence in trauma-informed care is very important and will only continue to become more important to our work as counselors in a post-COVID world. Counselors will need to have a strong understanding of how to assess for trauma and environmental stressors, and how trauma can impact clients and communities. Having the skills to adequately assess and support client safety, enhance client choice and empowerment, and the ability to work collaboratively as an interdisciplinary team with other professionals is going to become an even more valuable skill set for counselors. Counselors often work with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurse practitioners, school systems, social workers, occupational therapists, and many other professionals as a part of a care team. Having strong collaboration, leadership, and interpersonal skills are becoming more important as the role of counselors is becoming more salient in healthcare.
What Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Chalk: My first piece of general advice is to gain knowledge about their state's requirements of post-graduate clinical requirements for independent licensure. When students begin studying at a clinical mental health counseling graduate program, they often believe that once they graduate, they will be free to practice counseling independently and will be licensed. Clinical mental health counseling licensure requires post-graduate clinical supervision and training, and these vary by state or jurisdiction. New graduates should identify what state they want to work in and become familiar with those post-graduation requirements, especially if they are planning to move after graduation. I would also tell new graduates to be selective with where they work after graduation. Some students are very eager to find work after graduation, and finding a good placement can be anxiety-provoking. It is OK to take your time to find a good fit for your interests and needs. Do not be afraid to ask questions about pay, benefits, expectations, supervision, and clinical specializations of the site and the supervisor. There is a wide range of clinical specialties for counselors, and it's worth exploring your interests and finding a site that can fulfill your needs. Lastly, there's many different things that a counselor can do! Besides clinical mental health services, counselors can also get hired as consultants, researchers, organization and advocacy leaders, and more. There are many great career opportunities that new graduates can explore.
What will help Therapists increase their earning potential?
Stephanie Chalk: Competence in trauma-informed care is very important and will only continue to become more important to our work as counselors in a post-COVID world. Counselors will need to have a strong understanding of how to assess for trauma and environmental stressors, and how trauma can impact clients and communities. Having the skills to adequately assess and support client safety, enhance client choice and empowerment, and the ability to work collaboratively as an interdisciplinary team with other professionals is going to become an even more valuable skill set for counselors. Counselors often work with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurse practitioners, school systems, social workers, occupational therapists, and many other professionals as a part of a care team. Having strong collaboration, leadership, and interpersonal skills are becoming more important as the role of counselors is becoming more salient in healthcare.
What soft skills should all Therapists possess?
Chelsea Waddelow: I would list the top three here: empathy, excellent verbal communication, and highly developed ethical decision-making.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Therapists?
Chelsea Waddelow: While all music therapists must be competent in piano, guitar, voice, and percussion before being certified, true excellence in at least one area is very important. It is also essential to have good technical knowledge of music-based apps and the ability to learn different documentation systems quickly.
What skills will help Therapists earn the most?
Chelsea Waddelow: Music therapy is not a lucrative career; the most important benefit is knowing that you assist the most vulnerable in our society to lead full and healthy lives. That said, current research suggests that those in administrative and academic positions earn more than those in clinical positions, so diversifying your abilities to include skills like grant writing, higher education, and excellent presentational skills will assist you in transitioning into a different role in the future.
John Kiweewa Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSt. John Fisher College
Wegmans School of Nursing
What skills stand out on Therapist resumes?
John Kiweewa Ph.D.: There is widespread consensus within the mental health counseling field that counseling is much about the skills and techniques as it is about the dispositions or qualities that enable counselors to provide meaningful and effective services to clients. Therefore, responding to the question of what skills stand out on Mental Health Counselors' resumes requires an articulation of attributes, characteristics, variables, or qualities that an ideal mental health counselor would possess. Indeed, there is a copious body of counseling literature describing effective counselor variables. I have highlighted some of the most salient of these variables.
1. Respectfulness of & Responsiveness to Others, Including Diverse Populations: The ability of mental health professionals to provide effective and meaningful services to individuals from diverse backgrounds is of vital importance. More culturally responsive mental health providers tend to produce better outcomes with their clients. Such cultural competence of responsiveness is most evident when a practitioner consistently conveys an attitude of respect, in both verbal and non-verbal communication, for the capability and worth of others and seeks to understand them in terms of what makes them different. It means honoring individual differences such as culture, race, ethnicity, family structure, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and other individual differences without needing to always agree with what others do or say based on these differences.
2. Ability to Balance Multiple Life Expectations and Commitment to Wellness: Mental health professionals work in an environment that demands the ability to balance multiple responsibilities and life expectations. This work-life balance is often most challenging for new professionals, often leading to high rates of burnout. Agencies or organizations will look for a mental health counselor who is able to recognize and accept their capacity to handle multiple life responsibilities such as family, school, work, and avocational pursuits. This includes being realistic in setting limits on time spent in various roles, adjusting schedules to accommodate changes in responsibilities, eating healthily, and getting adequate sleep and exercise in order to function effectively.
3. Empathy, Genuineness, Warmth, and Caring: Empathy can be described as the ability to consistently communicate, in words and actions, an accurate understanding of what others feeling or thinking; when a professional counselor is truly "in tune" with others through verbal and nonverbal actions and reactions, and try to know what it is like to be in the other person's shoes. It includes the ability to consistently convey warmth, caring, and concern for others in interactions with them. Empathy, genuineness, and caring (unconditional regard) are considered the foundational skills and orientations in mental health counseling. In fact, these have long been described as a trio of qualities that are necessary, though insufficient, for positive therapeutic outcomes.
4. Effective Interpersonal Communication: There is broad consensus within the counseling field that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful client/counselor relationships. Broadly defined, interpersonal communication involves the ability for the mental health professional to elicit and appreciate client concerns, to provide a rationale for treatment decisions, and engage the client in the process of shared decision-making and goal setting. Such skills may be both verbal and non-verbal and include micro-level skills (active listening, paraphrasing, questioning, summarizing) and macro-level skills (crisis intervention, assessment, documentation, case conceptualization, use of self, immediacy, etc.). Employers are constantly looking for mental health counselors with the ability to maximize their communication skills and knowledge of human development to enhance their clients' growth and development.
5. Professional Integrity: This quality is most evident when a mental health professional is consistently honest and trustworthy in dealing with others and admits to shortcomings and limitations in knowledge and skills. More importantly, professional integrity requires that a mental health counselor abides faithfully by established professional codes of conduct, as well as agency policies and practices. Such professionalism manifests itself in the ability to set healthy boundaries with clients, as well as communicate clearly the nature and limits of the counseling relationship.
6. Capacity for Organization: The world within which a mental health professional operates has become more complex, and such increasing complexity has necessitated demonstrated capacity for organization. This skill is most evident when a mental health counseling professional is consistently planful and orderly in thinking about and performing tasks. They can prioritize efficiently and are disciplined and task-oriented. They impose the right kind of structure on themselves to be productive without being unreasonably obsessive about things.
7. Commitment to Excellence: Growing both personally and professionally requires openness to new learning and examining one's beliefs, values, assumptions, and effectiveness. When a gap in knowledge is discovered, or a deficit in a personal quality is uncovered, a mental health professional will take the initiative to acquire new information, improve and change. To be committed to excellence requires, in part, a great deal of self-reflection, an awareness that they are one of the primary instruments/tools in counseling.
8. Trauma-informed Care: The ability to appreciate the widespread and complex impact of trauma on clients' lives and develop and integrate trauma-responsive skills, knowledge, and awareness into one's practice has become essential to providing effective counseling services. Employers are, thus, keen on mental health counseling graduates with crisis and trauma intervention skills such as mindfulness techniques, breathing techniques, relaxation methods, grounding strategies, and other knowledge of trauma-specific treatment approaches (e.g., EMDR TF-CBT, animal-assisted therapy, etc.).
9. Assessment and Diagnostic skills: The ability to work collaboratively with a client to determine presenting concerns, desired goals and objectives, and therapy process is a core component of what mental health counselors do. To do so requires skills in selecting and administering assessment tools, formulating diagnostic/clinical impressions, and developing treatment plans/or strategies. Prospective employers, therefore, usually look for candidates with strong assessment and diagnostic skills, particularly knowledge of the DSM-V and/or ICD-CM and use of primary assessment instruments (e.g., Mental Status Exam, PHQ-9).
10. Technology Skills: Digital media and resources (e.g., email, smartphone apps, online forums, Web sites, DVDs, computer software, online social networks, telephone and televideo communication, and mobile devices are fast becoming essential to the work of mental health counseling. The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the need for competence in virtual communication or the ability to provide telehealth, in addition to familiarity with Electronic Medical/Health Records systems.
11. Bilingual: The growing diversity of the United States population means that mental health counselors live and work in a multicultural world. The reality is that mental health practitioners are now more and more likely to encounter clients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While the counseling profession has long emphasized cultural competence as a necessary component of ethical and effective service delivery, there is evidence to suggest that the mental health field as a whole has not kept up with the demand for bilingual and multiculturally oriented counselors.
What soft skills should all Therapists possess?
John Kiweewa Ph.D.: Receptivity to Feedback: Openness to consistently accept feedback in a respectful way is a vital quality, especially for new graduates. Such openness is important not only to feedback from supervisors but from colleagues and clients. Agreeing to or feeling bound to act on the feedback received is not as important as communicating appreciation for the effort of others in giving feedback. In this case, display of behaviors such as anger, annoyance, frustration, defensiveness, excessive/exaggerated self-criticism, or withdrawal gets in the way of learning and/or being a member of a team.
Appropriate Self-Disclosure: The ability for mental health practitioners to 'use' themselves for the benefit of their clients is one of the cornerstones of effective counseling. Such a quality is most evident when one only shares information about themselves that fits the nature and purpose of the interaction with a particular client. When personal information is revealed, it is tasteful, relevant, and is not upsetting, distracting, or confusing to others. Prospective employers are keenly aware of the ways self-serving or self-aggrandizing disclosure of personal information can negatively impact the ability to provide meaningful services to clients.
Reliability and Follow Through: Mental health professionals work in a helping profession that requires the professional to be consistently dependable, reliable, and able to follow through with tasks and assignments in a timely and thorough manner. This includes meeting deadlines, being punctual to sessions with clients and for agency meetings, being prepared, and having a reputation as one who can be counted on to do their part when functioning as a team or project member.
Flexibility and Adaptability: This quality is most evident when a mental health counseling professional consistently demonstrates a willingness to change or compromise in the face of new information, circumstances, and contexts. Situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, require mental health practitioners to have an openness to solutions that match the needs of their service recipients and organizations.
Sense of Humor: There is little to cheer about in the professional life of mental health professionals. We spend the majority of our working time listening to the most painful and vulnerable aspects of people's lives. This quality is most evident when a mental health counselor assumes an orientation to life that acknowledges to self and others the value of looking at the "lighter side" of life to maintain a balance; when they find enjoyment in laughing with others and recognize laughter as a way of reducing tension and as an important aspect of social discourse.
Confidence Balanced with Humility: Confidence in one's abilities (self-efficacy) is a general challenge for beginning mental health counselors. Some may appear over-confident as a way to compensate for lack of experience in the field and to project an image of competence. It is, therefore, important that new graduate is able to act with self-assurance by consistently expressing themselves in a clear, deliberate, and unassuming manner. It is not helpful to "put on airs" or flaunt knowledge or skills in order to bring attention to oneself. What is important is to convey appreciation for the privilege to partake in other people's life journeys and struggles.
Martha Peaslee Levine M.D.
Medical Director of the PHP and IOP, Director of the Office of Professional Mental HealthPenn State College of Medicine
Adolescent Medicine, Psychiatry
What soft skills should all Therapists possess?
Martha Peaslee Levine M.D.: Good communication skills are important. Working as a therapist involves interacting with someone. It will be important to demonstrate being able to listen effectively and being able to communicate clearly. Active listening is important in therapy and in an interview. Be engaged; listen to the interviewer so that you are clearly providing the information that they need. For example, I often ask interviewees to tell me about a case that they found rewarding or challenging. From this, I want to know how someone thinks through a clinical situation. I want to hear how they describe their client (anonymously, of course) and how they put together the important parts of the story. If it was challenging and they now recognize ways to handle it differently, that lets me know that they have thought about this. It also shows that they are willing to reflect on difficult situations and learn from them. If someone cannot relate a story or discuss a client with me, that makes me wonder about their skills as a therapist and their interest in their patients. These clinical interactions can come from your work in school, shadowing someone in training, or internships. It is recognizing and describing the important elements of the case. Another important skill is good written communication. Check your resumes for spelling mistakes. Reread any emails to make certain they are clear. Send thank-you notes. Keep things professional--use the interviewer's professional title when you write. Be on time and have a question or two to ask about the position or place of employment. Examples can be, what are they looking for in a counselor? What have they found the most rewarding working in this office? Find your own go-to question, but interviewers what to know that you are interested.
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorSan Diego State University
School of Social Work
What skills stand out on Therapist resumes?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: Formal training and/or experience using one or more evidence-based Interventions.
What soft skills should all Therapists possess?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: Clinicians need to be flexible, express empathy and warmth to their clients, have good communication skills, be self-aware, apply a social justice lens to their work with clients, and practice from a place of cultural humility.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Therapists?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: Clinicians need to have keen safety and clinical assessment skills. After COVID, we also learned that it's important for clinicians to navigate and adapt to providing services both in person and through telemental health.
What skills will help Therapists earn the most?
Dianne Ciro Ph.D.: All of the skills outlined above are important for clinicians to be effective in their jobs and earn a good wage.