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Being a therapist can be a stressful job with some cases of not being able to know how to help certain clients and be placed into stressful situations of not knowing what to do.

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When it comes to helping others therapists can feel good about themselves if any of their clients are noticeably doing better and they are known that they helped clients reach this point. The job allows a flexible schedule with being able to set their own hours and days for their clients to come in also helping them make their own decisions. When it comes to therapy there comes the possibility to meet a variety new people.

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Being a therapist involves being able to maintain a positive and trusting attitude with their clients. As well as being able to honestly and rightfully diagnose clients with the proper mental health disorders that go along with how they are being. Meeting clients individually and being able to be organized when it comes to making appointments and making sure not to overlap clients . Having to notify family members or parents of the clients when something is obviously not well and not to keep something a secret if they could be at risk of putting themselves in danger.

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Hiring the right therapist can make a huge difference for your practice and your patients. A good therapist knows how to help patients set goals, stick with a plan, and change course when needed. In addition to strong technical know-how, therapists must have great interpersonal and communication skills.

The following therapist job description template can help you craft a job posting to find well-qualified candidates. Simply customize the details to include the specific job duties and requirements applicable to the position. Feel free to browse our existing therapist job listings to get more ideas for what to include.

Therapist

[Intro Paragraph] The introductory paragraph of your therapist job description is a great place to briefly describe your company and working environment. Take a few sentences to sell your company to your ideal therapist candidate, explaining what sets you apart from other practices and organizations.
Therapist Job Responsibilities:

Establishes positive, trusting rapport with patients.

Diagnoses and treats mental health disorders.

Creates individualized treatment plans according to patient needs and circumstances.

Meets with patients regularly to provide counseling, treatment and adjust treatment plans as necessary.

Conducts ongoing assessments of patient progress.

Involves and advises family members when appropriate.

Refers patients to outside specialists or agencies when necessary.

Maintains thorough records of patient meetings and progress.

Follows all safety protocols and maintains client confidentiality.

Contributes to practice by accomplishing related tasks as needed.

[Work Hours & Benefits] Next, you'll want to include details about your company's working hours and benefits. Give prospective applicants a sense of your typical work hours and flexible scheduling options you might offer. It's also a good idea to describe particularly attractive benefits, like paid parental leave, commuter benefits and childcare reimbursements.

Therapist Qualifications/Skills:

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication and listening skills

Ability to build rapport quickly

Detail oriented

Ability to communicate with compassion and empathy

Strong ability to manage time and prioritize tasks

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field

Current with all state licensing requirements, including LPCC, LICSW and LMFT

Several years' clinical experience

[Call to Action] A vital part of the therapist job description is the call to action where you encourage candidates to apply and explain exactly how to do so. For example, you could have them email the application and resume to your HR department, or instruct them to click the "apply" button at the top of the job posting.

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Hiring the right therapist can make a huge difference for your practice and your patients. A good therapist knows how to help patients set goals, stick with a plan, and change course when needed. In addition to strong technical know-how, therapists must have great interpersonal and communication skills.

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A therapist is someone who is a licensed mental health professional working on helping their clients improve on their cognitive and emotional skills. As well with helping them reduce their symptoms of mental illnesses and cope with past traumas.

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Therapists, or psychotherapists, are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in helping clients develop better cognitive and emotional skills, reduce symptoms of mental illness, and cope with various life challenges to improve their lives. But that's only the beginning of what it means to be a psychotherapist. To completely understand what a therapist does, it's important to understand various therapeutic approaches, licensure, and titles.

This article breaks down every part of what therapists are and what they do. Keep reading if you're interested in working with a therapist, becoming one, or simply learning about the profession.

How Therapists Define What They Are and What They Do

To better understand what a therapist is, we asked the titular question of this article to several therapists in and outside of the Talkspace network. Each answer was a little different, but together they paint a picture of what a therapist is. Here are some of the answers:

"A therapist serves as an authentic, genuine, empathic individual who is unbiased, supportive, and, can provide objective, nonjudgemental guidance, assisting clients with desired changes as well as achieving their maximum self." - Kate Denihan, Talkspace Therapist

"A psychotherapist is someone who helps others find their strengths and courage to confront and make sense of difficult emotions and experiences so they can learn and thrive in their lives" - Shannon McFarlin, Talkspace Therapist

"A psychotherapist is someone who offers support, positive regard, compassion, guidance, a level of accountability, advocacy at times, a listening ear and sound clinical advice." - Candice Christiansen, CMHC

"A clinically trained helper who uses an integrative approach to help others heal" - Shannon Battle, LPC

"To me a psychotherapist is an objective sounding board, a perspective shifter, game changer, a truth teller." - Erika Martinez, Psy.D.

"A psychotherapist is someone who helps people to remember they are worthy." - Perpetua Neo, Therapist

What Does a Therapist Do?

Therapists primarily work together with clients, whether in-person or via online therapy , to remedy symptoms of their mental health. Some therapists, however, work in a clinical research or consulting setting.

Here is a list of common services therapists can offer clients:

Analyzing present issues

Analyzing the influence of the past on the present

Comforting clients

Helping clients without the kind of a bias a friend or family member might have

Diagnosing mental health conditions

Reducing symptoms of mental illness

Helping clients manage symptoms of mental illness

Helping clients change maladaptive behaviors and thinking patterns

Helping clients understand themselves and other people

Teaching emotional, cognitive and communication skills

Teaching clients how to effectively resolve emotional, relational and professional conflicts

Guiding clients through crises such as breakups, abuse, suicidal thoughts, grief, trauma, infidelity, sexual assault and more

Teaching clients how to improve current relationships and build new ones

Teaching clients self-help skills such as deep breathing, meditation, thinking exercises and more

Offering non-directive advice and suggestions (depending on the therapist)

Referring clients to psychiatrists, mental health facilities or medical professionals if necessary

Helping clients learn to love and accept themselves

Reducing the stigma and shame of mental illness and therapy

Is a Therapist the Same as a Counselor, Psychologist, etc?

"Therapist" is an all encompassing term referring to psychotherapists, psychologists, and counselors. In the context of working with a client to improve their mental health and well-being, these terms all carry the same meaning and are usually interchangeable.

Using one over the other is a matter of preference. "Counselor" and "counseling," for example, are more common than "therapy" and "therapist" in certain parts of the world.

People often use these terms interchangeably with "therapist":

Mental Health Counselor

Psychologist

Psychotherapist (this term differentiates mental health therapists from physical, occupational, massage or other types of therapists who aren't in the mental health field)

The differences between some of these terms lie in their connotations aside from working with clients. While "therapist" tends to refer to someone who treats clients, a "psychologist" would typically work in a research setting as well as with clients.

Some mental health professionals call themselves psychologists simply because they prefer the term. Their work isn't necessarily different than therapists'. Others use the term to emphasize a background in research or their education. Some psychologists don't spend any time working with clients and focus solely on research.

Psychiatrists can act as therapists, too. They are trained physicians specialized at mental health medicine. They're the only type of therapists that are certified to prescribe medication. There isn't evidence that suggests professionals who identify as therapists provide better care than professionals identifying as psychologists or psychiatrists. In most cases, each of these professionals works to address different issues via different methods.

What Is a Therapist's Salary?

The range of a therapist's salary varies depending on education level, additional credentials, location, the types of clients they see, and the environment they work in. The lowest point is around $30,000 a year and the highest is upward of $129,000. A therapist with a Ph.D. in New York City, for example, would make a lot more than their peer with only a master's degree in a small town.

What Kind of Education and Licensing Does a Therapist Need?

All therapists are required to have completed a master's degree and be licensed by their state boards to legally practice psychotherapy. There are several types of licenses, and each specifies a service the professional is allowed to provide. These licenses are provided by the state and include the following::

Doctor of Psychology [Psy.D.]

Licensed Clinical Social Worker [LCSW]

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist [LMFT]

Licensed Mental Health Counselor [LMHC]

Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC]

These licenses allow therapists to practice psychotherapy only in the state or states in which they're licensed. The license does, however, allow them to practice therapy online and work with clients in any foreign country via an online therapy modality.

Some of the social-work licenses raise the issue of the similarities between a therapist and social worker. Both professions involve helping people live better lives, but there are key differences between them.

Therapists have clinical experience and can also serve as social workers. On the other hand, social workers don't have clinical experience or a therapist license and therefore cannot work as therapists.

Where Do Therapists Work?

With some types of professionals, it's easy to imagine where they work. Lawyers typically work at law firms, police officers work at a police station and on their beat, and doctors tend to patients in hospitals.

With therapists, it's harder because they can work at various locations, depending on their line of work and the types of clients they see. Here are some of the most common locations and a description of the kind of work therapists do there:

Community Center: working with clients of certain underprivileged communities or with groups struggling with issues like addiction

Hospital: treating clients with severe mental health issues that require hospitalization or providing mental health support to hospital patients with medical issues

Mental Health Clinic: federally-funded centers and clinics that provide discounted or free mental health care

Military Facility: helping military personnel deal with occupational or combat-related stress and trauma

Online: online therapy allows therapists to do their work anywhere and anytime

Private Practice: treating various clients from around a specific physical location

Psychiatric Hospital: treating patients with severe mental health conditions that have made them unable to live normal lives

Schools and Universities: working with students on campus to support their transition to college, academic stress, and help with mental heal conditions

Workplace: some companies and organizations hire therapists to work with their employees. Research has shown that strong employee mental health increases productivity .

Misconceptions About What a Therapist Is

To fully understand what a therapist is, we need to talk about what a therapist is not. There are many misconceptions about what it means to practice psychotherapy. Here are a few common misconceptions:
Misconception: A Therapist Is Like a Friend You Pay to Listen To You
Thinking a therapist is only a friend for hire discounts the amount of education and training therapists complete so they can improve clients' mental health. Most therapists have around six years of education. Many have decades of practice working with and helping clients.

Most therapists will not tell you what to do. They're not like sports coaches for your life. They don't sit on the sidelines and shout instructions.
Misconception: A Therapist Tells You What To Do
Therapists work with clients to give them the necessary skills to live better lives and make positive decisions to prevent relapse. Working with a therapist is supposed to empower you to cope with your issues yourself, rather than make you dependent on them for support.

Therapists aren't trying to guess what you're thinking or get inside your head.
Misconception: A Therapist Can Read Minds
Your therapist will be interested in what you are thinking because he or she is trying to help you. The process of talk therapy requires you to share details about your life and daily struggles in order to make progress and resolve your issues. They only know what you share with them, and that's also what makes them different from your friends or loved ones. The more you share with your therapist, the stronger the bond you'll forge and the more progress you will make on the issues you need help with.

The Definition of a Psychotherapist Has Changed Since Freud and Is Continuing to Change

Sigmund Freud was the first to apply scientific study to mental health and developed psychoanalysis and other theories for the treatment of mental health symptoms. But Freud's stance maintained that therapists and psychiatrists were doctors whose sole role was in treating mental illness, which isn't necessarily the definition that we're familiar with today, where therapists can be as much there for support when things are going well as when they aren't.

Therapy has evolved a lot since Freud, and talk therapy has become more prominent and sustainable than Freud's theories and practice of psychoanalysis. There's since been a shift in the profession, which now puts more emphasis on the clients holistic well-being than just on their immediate symptoms. Client-centered therapy approaches, like Carl Rogers 's work, focusing on the human experience and as experts on their own issues, rather than simply on their symptoms. Today most therapists use an integrated approach that treats mental illness, the most common psychotherapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy , humanistic therapy , and dialectical behavioral therapy .

The term "therapist" also varies individually between therapists as every therapist contributes to a constantly expanding and evolving definition of the profession."Early on it was all about helping people to solve problems," said therapist Perpetua Neo. "I approached it in a practical sense."

Over the years Neo's practice has shifted to also include helping people accept themselves and develop a sense of self-worth. She believes her approach to therapy will continue to evolve as she grows alongside her clients.

As Neo and thousands of other therapists around the world continue to evolve their personal approach to therapy and to expand the range of services available to clients, the term "therapist" will continue to take more meaning. Nonetheless, technological advances are also expanding the definition of what it means to be a therapist, with the advent of online therapy as an effective psychotherapeutic intervention.

For many decades, being a therapist only meant meeting with a client in-person and using verbal communications to address their condition. Today, online therapy allows therapists to communicate with clients anywhere and anytime. Talkspace enables therapists to message their clients, offering various types of therapies via text, video, or audio message, and even to schedule live video sessions.

As technology and the field of psychotherapy continues to evolve, the definition and scope of what a "therapist" does and how will continue to expand. Still, one part of a therapist's role will always be central: helping clients live better lives

Interested in becoming a therapist with Talkspace? Learn more here.

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What Is a Therapist [Psychotherapist]? - The Complete Definition - Talkspace

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Therapists, or psychotherapists, are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in helping clients develop better cognitive and emotional skills, reduce symptoms of mental illness, and cope with various life challenges to improve their lives. But that's only the beginning of what it means to be a psychotherapist.

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The education needed for this career is first a bachelors degree majoring in psychology or any field related to this major. Next is to received a masters degree in either psychology, social work, or counseling.

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If you're interested in becoming a therapist, having a clear understanding of the right path to get there can make the process easier and more accessible. Therapists are admirable professionals who aid people in living happier and more enjoyable lives.

In fact, the American Psychological Association reports around 75% of those who receive therapy experience beneficial results. If you're interested in helping people maintain a state of mental well-being, a career as a therapist is a viable way to earn a living while doing what you enjoy. Given the broad nature of the therapy field and related fields - such as counseling - you can benefit from having a clear vision of what these roles entail and how to qualify.

Therapist vs. Counselor: What Are the Differences?

It can be tricky to distinguish between the roles of therapists and counselors. The job duties of these roles often overlap, and to make matters more convoluted, people often use the terms interchangeably. Though it may seem confusing at first, each of these roles has both qualifications and practices that are specific to themselves. To put these roles into perspective, it can be helpful to understand what each role's responsibilities are and the qualifications required.

Therapists

Therapists are professionals who are licensed in their state to provide therapy to their clients. Therapy often involves a focus on talk therapy and usually aims to explore clients' pasts to uncover insights about their current feelings, behaviors, or traumas. Therapists typically specialize in a specific field, such as marriage and family therapy. Therapists hold at least a master's degree, while some choose to obtain a doctorate.

If a therapist chooses to advertise their practice as "psychotherapy," then they must be licensed in the state in which they intend to practice. A licensed therapist is often qualified to practice specific types of counseling if they choose to, and in some cases do.

Counselors

Counselors, much like therapists, aim to help their clients with specific problems. However, counselors tend to focus more on helping their clients deal with psychological, mental health, and substance abuse issues than their therapist counterparts, who may concentrate on a client's relationship-based and social needs. It is typical for counselors to provide their clients with coping strategies and advice to deal with their problems practically and immediately.

Counselors can be sought out if someone has a problem which they want to receive treatment for a short duration of time, such as anxiety about a new career. Though some counselors are certified, some are not and rules vary in states about who is allowed to practice as a counselor. Some counselors hold only a bachelor's degree while others are master's degree holders.
__________
Advance your career and purpose.
Start a graduate degree at PLNU.
__________
How to Become a Therapist

When pursuing a career as a therapist, there are several requirements that you'll have to complete before beginning your career. Having a clear understanding of this process can make becoming a therapist less daunting and more manageable. Here are the steps you'll need to complete to become a licensed therapist:

Step #1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

The first thing you'll need to do to become a licensed therapist is earn a bachelor's degree. If you're intent on becoming a therapist, then you should major in psychology or a related field. Gaining a foundational degree that exposes you to principles and practices of psychology will help prepare you for graduate school, and ultimately, a career as a licensed therapist.

Step #2: Obtain a Master's Degree

Once you've obtained your bachelor's degree, it's time to pursue a master's degree. When choosing your master's program, it's important to be clear about which specific field of therapy you wish to enter. Most fields of therapy require you to have a certification before practicing, and many certificates require that you have a master's degree before certification.

The master's degree you pursue will depend on which certification you eventually intend to obtain. It will typically be a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work. Be sure to know the specific requirements of your prospective certification before applying to a graduate degree program to ensure that you're meeting the necessary requirements.

Step #3: Gain Clinical Experience

To become a certified therapist, you'll need to gain around 3,000 hours of supervised clinical hours, though this can vary depending on different certification and state requirements. Master's degree programs that meet the requirements of specific licenses will often offer guidance and support when it comes to gaining the hours needed to become a licensed therapist.

Step #4: Become Licensed or Certified

There are several avenues you can pursue to become a licensed therapist. Examples include the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) certification and Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC) certification. Each certification has unique requirements, such as a certain amount of supervised clinical work and master's degrees that meet specific standards. It's important to have a clear idea of which certification you eventually intend to obtain, as this will inform which program you'll choose when pursuing your master's degree.

Therapist Licensing Requirements and Salary

To become a licensed therapist, you'll need to finish all of the requirements of the specific licensure path you wish to pursue. There are various licenses, each with its own requirements, which typically include at least a bachelor's degree, clinical experience, and in many cases, a master's degree.

For example, If you plan on becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California, you'll need to obtain a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) certificate to practice. The LMFT requires that you first receive a master's degree in a relevant field and gain a certain amount of clinical experience before becoming certified.

Whatever certification you plan to pursue, be sure to choose a program that meets the requirements for that license. Choosing a program that doesn't meet the criteria for the license you're pursuing can cost you a tremendous amount of time and money unnecessarily. One program that does meet the requirements for certification is Point Loma Nazarene University's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling.

Therapist salaries can vary widely based on field, level of education, location, and industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of a licensed marriage and family therapist is $49,880 while they report that the annual median income of all other therapists is $59,500.

To gain a clearer view of licensed marriage and family therapist salaries, it's important to unserstand that salaries can vary depending on both region and industry. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for marriage and family therapists who work in the home health industry was $97,780 as of 2021 while the annual mean wage for marriage and family therapists practicing in Utah was $86,490. Other industries that boast higher than average marriage and family therapist salaries includephysician's offices and schools.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Therapist?

The process of becoming a therapist can vary depending on which path you choose and the amount of education you choose to pursue. Those who intend to stop schooling after a master's degree can typically expect to spend around seven to ten years studying and becoming certified before becoming a therapist. This includes the typical four years and two to three years typically needed to obtain a bachelor's degree and master's degree respectively.

After schooling, most certification requires you to gain clinical work under the supervision of other professionals for a certain amount of time. This amount differs depending on the license, but you can typically expect to need around 3,000 hours to meet therapist licensure requirements.

Discover How a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Can Elevate Your Career

By gaining on-campus clinical experience, professional training, and career guidance, Point Loma Nazarene University can help you elevate your career and pursue the therapist role you've always aspired to reach. PLNU's Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program offers you the opportunity to meet the requirements you need to gain LMFT and LPCC certification and take your professional career as a licensed therapist to the next level.
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What Degree Do You Need to Be a Therapist?

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If you're interested in becoming a therapist, having a clear understanding of the right path to get there can make the process easier and more accessible. Therapists are admirable professionals who aid people in living happier and more enjoyable lives. In fact, the American Psychological Association reports around 75% of those who receive therapy experience beneficial results.

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Not all clients are going to be cooperative and willing to talk about their problems. But for those who are willing to talk it can be hard on therapist to watch their clients struggle and in some cases not have any progress towards getting better. Another issue can be having to deal with stressful situations and not knowing the proper way to handle them.

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Advantages and disadvantages exist in every career. Being a physical or occupational therapist or an SLP is no exception. However, we believe a PT, OT, or SLP is a rewarding career. The advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages. This article highlights 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages to be a therapist. Here is our list of the top 10 advantages and disadvantages of being a therapist.

Top 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Therapist

As you consider a career as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or SLP, you want to think about the advantages and disadvantages. "I always tell people considering being a travel therapist to think about the pros and cons," said Host Healthcare recruiter Sarah Powell. "There are certainly a lot of advantages. I just want to make sure I inform them of some disadvantages so they can be well informed."

5 Advantages of Being A Therapist

1. Caring for others. This is a top advantage for anyone that works in healthcare. As a therapist, you help someone who is working through something. It's rewarding when you get to help others get better.

2. Learning something new. As a therapist you are constantly working with and meeting new people. And if you are a travel therapist you meet even that many more people to learn new skills from.

3. Job growth. The growth and demand for therapists continues to be on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for PT, OT, or SLP is projected to grow "much faster" than average. Looking specifically at physical therapist, their job outlook is expected to grow by 28% from 2016 - 2026.

4. Plenty of opportunity for advancement. Like most careers, therapists start at the bottom. Learning, experimenting, and building a strong career. However, most therapists can grow rapidly. The more experience and education you have allows you to advance your career as far as you want.

5. Get your license reimbursed. Okay so maybe this is more of a common advantage for being a travel therapist. As a travel therapist, you can get your licensed reimbursed. How cool is that?

5 Disadvantages of Being A Therapist

1. Difficult patients. There are certainly easy to work with patients, the fact is there are also difficult patients. Just something to be aware of.

2. Difficult co-workers. Just like most careers, you could have to work with difficult co-workers. You will work with some amazing individuals, but you can also work with some difficult co-workers too.

3. Stress. Careers in healthcare can all be stressful. In fact, most careers offer some level of stress. There will certainly be stressful situations as a therapist. The key is to understand it and do what you can to work through it.

4. Physical demands. Most therapists have some physical requirements. That is certainly a requirement for any physical therapist as you pick up equipment and demonstrate exercises to your patients.

5. Emotional strain. The sad part about being a therapist is you see people who are in not doing well. And if those people don't progress the way you want them to, it can be taxing.

Host Healthcare Travel Therapist

Hopefully you enjoyed reading our list of the top 10 advantages and disadvantages of being a therapist. If you are interested in being a travel therapist, you are in the right spot. Host Healthcare offers an extensive list of travel therapy jobs. In addition, call specific recruiter directly or if you don't have a recruiter, call (844) 812-8094 and one of our friendly recruiters will be happy to help.

travel therapist travel therapist travel therapists travel therapist travel therapists travel therapy travel therapist travel therapists travel therapy travel therapy benefits travel therapist travel therapists travel therapy travel therapy benefits travel therapy jobs

Title: President, CEO

Home Town: San Diego, CA

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Top 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Being A Therapist

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Advantages and disadvantages exist in every career. Being a physical or occupational therapist or an SLP is no exception. However, we believe a PT, OT, or SLP is a rewarding career. The advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages. This article highlights 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages to be a therapist.

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The average salary in California for a therapist is supposed to be roughly $37 or $38 an hour, but for some offices the highest can be almost $60 an hour. The average yearly salary for a therapist in California is up to $60,000.

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Aside from the issues that come along with working in this field there are many positives. Such as being able to see how much you are helping clients and watching them grow as a person and being able to become better. Therapist can as well learn from their own clients and see themselves in their clients.

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Therapists work in more than a dozen different fields, but all of them enjoy many of the same benefits and personal rewards. Whether you work in physical therapy, nutrition counseling, mental health or substance abuse counseling, you’ll experience many different types of positive outcomes.

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