Pepperdine University : Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) (No GRE required)
Capella University : Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accreditation. Master's and PhD options avaialble. )
Our Lady of the Lake University : Online Master of Arts in Counseling (No entrance exam required to apply)
National Louis University : M.S. in Counseling (Online. CACREP Accredited. Internship included.)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology : M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online Programs. CACREP Accredited.)
Lamar University : Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (100% Online, Affordable Tuition, Study on Your Time)
Liberty University : MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) (Online with required intensives) Our Lady of the Lake University : Online Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (Earn a Master of Arts in Counseling – 100% Online) National Louis University : Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision (Online. Aligned with CACREP standards.)Different Types of Therapists and How to Become Them
Therapy is not a one-sized, fits-all model. Indeed, there are many different types of mental health professionals. Therapists have many different licensure requirements and practicum. As a result, there are a variety of ways to enter therapy or a related field.
Marriage and Family Counselors
Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) means that you will work with families and children, helping them manage a variety of relationship problems. To become an LMFT, a person will need a master’s degree, two years of supervised work, and to pass a licensure exam.
Social Workers
Clinical social workers do not have to work for a social work agency. Indeed, many social workers can work directly with patients to address a variety of mental health issues or addictions.
The requirements vary from state to state. However, prerequisites usually involve educational attainment, clinical work, licensing exams, and clinical hours. For example, in New York, a person must earn a Master of Social Work, complete required training, apply for a social work license, and complete three years of supervised experience.
Clinical Psychologist
A clinical psychologist is someone who is formally trained to provide a variety of mental health assistance and talk therapy. They may use a variety of modalities to help someone recover from a series of behavioral disorders, including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, or more. Furthermore, someone who practices clinical psychology can go into many types of practice, including private practice, school counseling, or more. They will conduct therapy sessions for many behavioral disorders and help a patient develop a treatment plan that will enable recovery.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) | ✔ Online No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required | Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
| Capella University Master's and PhD in Counseling  CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Not Required | Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More |
| Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Arts in Counseling | ✔ Online No GRE required. | Help students navigate the emotional terrain of getting an education, empower people of all ages to overcome mental health hurdles, or support someone recovering from drug addiction as they obtain or maintain a job, with the Master of Arts in Counseling from OLLU. Learn More |
| National Louis University M.S. in Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE Required. Bachelor’s Degree Required. Minimum GPA 3.0. | CACREP accredited program prepares you to work as a counselor in schools, private practices and mental health clinics. Concentration in Addictions, School or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Learn More |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online Bachelor's Degree Required. | This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings; helping diverse clients through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship difficulties, and suicidal impulses. Learn More |
| Lamar University Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling SACSCOC Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE Required Minimum 3.25 Undergrad GPA | This online degree program prepares you with knowledge, training and practical experience to guide persons coping with substance abuse, marriage, family, career and other emotional issues through difficulties by giving them tools and techniques to manage their lives and decisions. Learn More |
| Liberty University MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online Online with required intensives | Our CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling degree online can help you become an ethical, well-trained mental health counselor with the knowledge, values, and skills you need to empower others to make positive changes in their lives. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
| Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Arts - Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | ✔ Online | Our Lady of the Lake University’s Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specialization provides you coursework and experiential learning experience that addresses the scope of practice of clinical rehabilitation counselors, disability rights, independent living philosophy, and legislative acts to protect individuals with disabilities. Learn More |
| National Louis University Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision HLC Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE Required Bachelor’s Degree Required. Minimum GPA 3.0. | Aligned with CACREP standards, this program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in counselor education, professional leadership and supervision, advanced clinical practice, advocacy, research, and scholarship. Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
How to Become a Therapist Online
For many people, a traditional school simply is too burdensome. Fortunately, when it comes to how to become a therapist, there are many online options. Depending on the robustness of these programs, you can often earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. A well-structured bachelor’s or master’s program will also be able to help you find employment, guide you to fulfilling licensure questions, and enable you to gain necessary clinical experience.
In many cases, individuals who want to learn how to become a therapist will already be in school. Thankfully, online counseling programs can help a person become a therapist with an appropriate degree of flexibility in their schedule.
College Majors to be A Therapist
Fortunately, a variety of potential majors can help someone learn how to become a therapist. These majors come with a variety of coursework, state licensure, and education requirements. The right education and licensing requirements can ideally prepare someone for a full-time career in therapy or health care. A good therapist should also keep in mind that a graduate degree is necessary for many therapy careers. As such, a major is only the start of learning how to become a therapist. Robust graduate programs are also necessary.
Psychology
A major in psychology is extremely common for many professional counselors or people who go into psychiatry. Psychology is the study of the human mind. It examines how the mind works, how it should work, and a variety of mental illnesses. This is the most common degree for mental health professionals.
Sociology
Sociology involves the study of individual relationships with each other, large institutions, or society at large. It is an intensive examination of relationships - as well as the time spent examining the way the mind works - provides an excellent background for many professional counselors.
Biology
Biology is a less common major for becoming a therapist and is often more useful for becoming a medical doctor or psychiatrist. However, a major in biology can help someone learn more about neurochemistry and how that impacts the brain and mood. This can provide an excellent background for therapy.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Therapist
There is no set answer about how to become a therapist. It ultimately depends on the types of therapy you want to practice, how long it takes you to get your undergraduate degree, and what kind of career opportunities you want to pursue. Other factors that will influence how to become a therapist include the degree program you complete, as well as the various licensing requirements of your state.
The range to become a therapist varies greatly. If you include college, it can take anywhere from 4-11 years. This can obviously be a major time commitment, and this is why it is so important that you know the most efficient way for you when it comes to how to become a therapist. Thankfully, a variety of educational programs - including online school - can help you make this determination.
Pepperdine University - Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Our Lady of the Lake University - Online Master of Arts in Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
National Louis University - M.S. in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Lamar University - Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP) (CACREP Accredited)
