• Make a Difference: Help people overcome challenges, heal from trauma, and live healthier lives.

• Variety of Populations and Issues: Work with children, teens, adults, families, or groups on many different behavioral health concerns.

• Every Day is Different: Each client and session is unique, so the work stays interesting and fresh.

• Growth Opportunities: Learn new skills, earn advanced credentials, and choose from many specialties like addiction, family therapy, or trauma counseling.

• Flexibility: Find jobs in schools, clinics, hospitals, private practices, or even offer telehealth from home.

• Strong Job Demand: Mental health professionals are needed now more than ever, which means better job security.

• Creative Approaches: Use music, art, writing, or movement in your work—especially in creative therapy roles.

• Personal Growth: Many counselors say their work helps them better understand themselves and others.

• Teamwork and Support: Collaborate with other professionals like doctors, teachers, and social workers.

• Personal Fulfillment: Experience the satisfaction of contributing to others' mental health.

• Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing education and professional development.

With an associate’s degree or higher:

• Chemical Dependency Counselor

Chemical dependency counselors work directly with individuals who are trying to stop using drugs or alcohol. They provide support, listen to their concerns, and help them develop a recovery plan. Chemical Dependency Counselors may lead group sessions or conduct one-on-one meetings, and they often connect clients with additional services they may need. [Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Treatment careers →]

With a Bachelor degree or higher:

• Substance Use Disorder Counselor

As a Substance Use Disorder Counselor, you have the opportunity to make a positive difference in a client's life while assisting them on their journey to wellness. Substance Use Disorder Counselors work directly with individuals who are trying to stop using drugs or alcohol. They provide support, listen to the client’s concerns, and help clients develop an individualized recovery plan tailored to the client's specific needs. Substance Use Disorder Counselors lead group sessions and conduct one-on-one meetings, often connecting clients with additional services they may need. This role is more than just a job; it’s a mission that transforms lives! [Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Treatment careers →]

• Mental Health Therapist or Counselor

Mental health therapists help people who are facing emotional and mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. They create safe and welcoming spaces where clients can share their feelings and experiences, helping them understand themselves better. Therapists work with individuals, couples, groups, or families to find healthy ways to cope with their challenges. They also teach important skills for managing emotions and solving problems so that clients can feel stronger and more in control of their lives.

• Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to help people improve their mental health, share their feelings, and heal from trauma. This approach is based on evidence and includes activities like listening to, thinking about, and creating music, all guided by a trained music therapist. You don’t need to know how to play an instrument or have a musical background to benefit from music therapy. People of all ages, from kids to adults, can find it helpful for their needs. You don’t have to be “good at music” to enjoy the benefits; you just need to be open to how music can help you feel better.  [Learn more about careers in Music Therapy →]

• Crisis Therapist

A crisis therapist plays a vital role in helping people during mental health emergencies. This can include moments when someone is thinking about hurting themselves or others, or when their symptoms feel too overwhelming. They stay calm, listen carefully, and work quickly to make sure the person is safe. They also help create a recovery plan that offers support moving forward.  [Learn more about Crisis services careers →]

With a master's or higher degree:

• Addiction Therapist

Addiction therapists are trained mental health professionals who help people struggling with drug, alcohol, or other types of addiction. They explore the root causes of addiction, such as trauma, stress, or mental health problems. They use talk therapy and other tools to help clients change their behavior, rebuild relationships, and stay on the path to recovery. Addiction therapists often work in rehab centers, hospitals, or private offices. [Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Treatment careers →]

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

A Licensed Professional Counselor who provides therapy helps people manage mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, and more. They meet with clients to talk about what’s going on, help them set personal goals, and teach healthy ways to cope with tough emotions or life situations. Their support can make a big difference in how people feel, think, and move forward. [Learn more about Counseling careers →]

• Licensed Independent Social Worker

A Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) who provides therapy is a mental health professional trained to help people manage emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. They meet with individuals, families, or groups to talk through issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, and life stress. Using different types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral or solution-focused therapy, they help clients understand their feelings, build coping skills, and work toward positive change. [Learn more about Social Work careers →]

• Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists work with couples and families who are having problems at home. They help improve communication, solve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. These therapists may help with issues like parenting challenges, divorce, or mental illness in the family. They often meet with the whole family or just a few members at a time.  [Learn more about Marriage and Family Therapy careers→]

• Art Therapist

Art therapists help people use drawing, painting, or other creative activities to express their thoughts and feelings. This can be helpful when it's hard to talk about difficult emotions. Art therapy is often used with children, trauma survivors, or people dealing with stress or mental health problems. Art therapists guide the process and help people understand what their art may be saying about how they feel.  [Learn more about Art Therapy careers →]

With a doctoral degree:

• Psychologist

A Psychologists who provides clinical therapy helps people manage emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges through talk therapy. They work with individuals, couples, or groups to address issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress using evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Psychologists can also assess and diagnose mental health conditions, create treatment plans, and track progress. They often work in private practices, clinics, hospitals, or schools and are trained to offer ethical, respectful care to people from all backgrounds. [Learn more about Psychology careers →]

Other job titles you may see:

• Psychotherapist

• Child and Adolescent Therapist

• Family Therapist

• School-Based Therapist

• Youth Mental Health Counselor

• Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC)

• Dual Diagnosis Therapist (mental health + substance use)

• Home Based Therapist

• Crisis Therapist

• Trauma-Informed Therapist

• Emergency Services Clinician

• Mobile Crisis Therapist

• Grief Counselor

• Behavioral Health Therapist

• Sexual Assault Therapist

No matter the job title, all therapists work to support people’s emotional well-being and help them lead healthier, more balanced lives.

• Listen and Learn: Build trust by listening with care and respect to understand each person’s unique story.

• Assess Needs: Help identify mental health challenges, strengths, and goals through conversations and tools.

• Create a Plan: Work together with clients to build a plan that supports their healing and personal growth.

• Provide Therapy: Offer one-on-one, group, or family sessions to talk through emotions, teach coping skills, and explore solutions.

• Support All Identities: Create a safe, welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

• Track Progress: Celebrate successes, adjust plans when needed, and keep moving toward positive change.

• Teach Life Skills: Help clients build healthy habits, solve problems, and improve relationships.

• Partner with Others: Work as a team with doctors, social workers, teachers, and families to give the best care possible.

• Follow a Code of Ethics: Stay professional, protect privacy, and always put the client’s well-being first.

Therapists play a crucial role in supporting individuals' mental and emotional health.

• Schools and Universities

• Psychiatric and General Hospitals

• Primary Care Physician’s Offices

• Community Mental Health Centers

• Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers

• Nonprofit Organizations

• Residential Treatment Facilities

• Telehealth Services

• Correctional Facilities

• Faith-Based or Cultural Centers

• Private Practices

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

• Military and Veterans Programs

• Mobile Crisis Teams

• Home Based Services

• Child Care Centers

• Primary Care offices

• Tele-Health Services

Therapists can work in various environments, each offering unique experiences and challenges.

• Children and Adolescents: Help young people manage emotions, behavior, school challenges, and trauma.

• Adults: Support people through life changes, stress, mental health conditions, and relationship issues.

• Families: Improve communication, strengthen relationships, and solve conflicts at home.

• Older Adults: Address grief, memory loss, loneliness, and other challenges related to aging.

• Individuals with Disabilities: Promote emotional well-being, build coping skills, and support independence.

• People in Crisis: Provide care during emergencies like suicidal thoughts, violence, or natural disasters.

• Veterans and Service Members: Help with trauma, reintegration, and mental health after military service.

• Substance Users and People in Recovery: Support people working to overcome addiction and avoid relapse.

• People Experiencing Homelessness or Poverty: Help address mental health while connecting to needed resources.

• Groups: Lead group sessions where people with similar concerns can learn and heal together.

• Communities: Work with schools, nonprofits, or local agencies to improve mental health in neighborhoods and communities.

Therapists work with diverse populations, tailoring approaches to meet individual needs.

There are different paths you can take depending on the type of therapy you want to provide. Here's how to get started:

• Bachelor's degree:Most therapy careers begin with a degree in social work, psychology, music therapy, or a related field.

  • With a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE accredited program and a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Ohio license, you can provide therapy under supervision from an independently licensed professional. 

  • If you want to become a Music Therapist, you can do so with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy (from an accredited program) and board certification. No master's degree is required for this role.

• Master's degree:Many therapy careers require a master's degree from an accredited program in such as counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy.

  • Practicum and Internship:During your master's program, you’ll get hands-on experience helping real clients with the support of training and close supervision.

For specific educational pathways and licensure requirements, visit the following pages:

• Therapy and Counseling in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

• Licensed Professional Counselor

• Social Work

• Art Therapy

• Music Therapy

• Marriage and Family Therapy

• Nursing

• Early Childhood Mental Health

• Psychology

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.