Career questions tagged therapy
Is it better to do a dedicated music therapy program in college, or major/minor in psychology and music?
I have learned that I like performing as a hobby, not as a profession and I don't want to learn how to teach either. I also don't want to learn about all the conditions and treatments of psychology because that is not the focus of music therapy. People say I would be good at being a psychologist, teacher, and performer but I feel like I don't want any of that. I know I am interested in music therapy, specifically helping people express emotions, but I don't know where to start.
Question from a 9th grader: How did you get started in your career, and what choices helped you the most?
Hello! I am a 14-year-old 9th-grade student from the United States. For a school assignment, I am exploring potential future career paths and learning about what it takes to succeed in the professional world. I have a wide range of interests right now, including therapy/mental health, law enforcement, law, architecture, writing, and military service (especially the Air Force). If you work in any of these fields, I would love to hear your insights. To help me complete my assignment data, please include the following background information at the beginning of your response: Occupation: Current Age: Sex: The year you started working in this field: The Country and State you work in: Company name (if you are comfortable sharing) or general field: In your reply, please also include these details about your journey: Your Journey: How did you get started, and what steps did you take to get where you are today (such as specific classes, internships, or volunteering)? Opportunities: How did you find those opportunities, and what were the main benefits of doing them? Decisions: What opportunities did you choose to take—or pass up—and why? Obstacles & Advice: Is there anything currently holding people back in your field, and what do you recommend a student my age do (or avoid doing) to move forward? Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your input! Your advice will help me a lot as I plan my next steps.
Looking back, what is one mistake you made early in your career that you wish you could avoid—and how can I avoid it?
When starting out, mistakes are inevitable—everyone makes them. I’ve realized that what can make them harder is being too self-critical afterward. Instead of learning and moving forward, it’s easy to get stuck overanalyzing or doubting yourself. I’m trying to shift toward seeing mistakes as feedback rather than failure.
What are some ways that my experience as a Registered Behavior Technician might prepare me for work in a different clinical setting, specifically clinical mental health counseling #Spring26?
My work as an RBT inspired me to pursue clinical mental health counseling. I love providing direct therapy and being creative to help my clients. I also adore the population that I work with. My career goal is to work as an LPC to provide therapy to children and adolescence. #Spring26
What steps should I take now to make myself a competitive candidate for the graduate programs I’ll need in order to continue my path toward becoming a BCBA?
I’ve been working in the field of ABA for several years, and throughout that time, I’ve grown from an RBT into someone who is deeply committed to advancing in this profession. My next major milestone is becoming a BCaBA, which is an important stepping‑stone in my long‑term goal of earning my BCBA. Graduate school is a crucial part of that journey, not just because it’s required, but because it will give me the advanced training, supervision, and academic foundation I need to provide high‑quality, ethical, and effective services to the clients and families I work with. I want to make sure I’m preparing myself now, academically and professionally, so that when I apply to graduate programs, I’m confident, competitive, and ready for the next stage of my career in behavior analysis.
What kind of research would be best for me to pursue long term as someone who is planning to study clinical psychology and mental health?
What kind of research would be best for me to pursue long term as someone who is planning to study clinical psychology and mental health? At the university I will be attending next year they will have lots of research and internship opportunities for their students and so I would like to take advantage of their connections and knowledge. I have a passion for art, particularly sketching and theatre arts. I want to look into both art therapy and social work for my future careers but I am open to exploring other possibilities.
What Degrees or Education would be necessary for a Career in Art Therapy?
I am in my sophomore year of college, and I am majoring in family and child psychology while minoring in studio arts. I'm not sure what further education is required to become an Art therapist and was wondering if there are other qualifications needed?
How should I organize my classes if Im trying to major in Psychology for counseling? Can I do that in the standard 4 years?
I am trying to go into therapy for at risk youth and felons, and Im not quite sure how I should get there
How can you practice music therapy outside of the US? #spring26
#spring26 I am interested in practicing in South America, any advice or recommendations is appreciated!
What should I look for in a masters program for art therapy?
I've had professors tell me to look at who is in the program and not the school but what else should I be looking for? Or what should I look out for?
What experiences and skills are most important to develop as an undergraduate psychology student if I want to become an effective therapist working with both children and adults?#Spring26
I am currently a undergraduate student studying psychology with a minor in social work. I am pursuing a career as a counselor and plan to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Michigan.
Whats the best college to go to, to become a counselor ?
What college should be the best to go to, to become a counselor so I can be a really good counselor
What pros and cons are their to being a therapist?
I am a 7th grader at Crane Middle School and I really want to be a therapist. I have always wanted to help people with their mental health. I want to make positive impacts on peoples lives. But emotional burnout and the irregular income I don’t like. I would not want to be emotionally burnt out. I also don’t like the fact that you don’t always have the same income. And I think for all of that school and you need a license to have one on one therapy sessions I honestly don’t think it might be worth it.
What is the difference between being a good 'comforter' and being a trained therapist?
Im a 9th grader and I’ve always like making others feeling emotionally comfortable through there problems so I want to be a therapist but I want to be more then comforting what do I do? What tips should I remember to make others over come their emotions?
how much money could you earn to be a therapist and how long does it take to be one but as well as is it hard ?
is the process as long as a doctor and is it expensive
How do I know if I should pursue my MSW?
How do I know if I should pursue my MSW? I’m early in my career and work in marketing, and I dislike the corporate 9-5 culture. I want to find more meaningful work that suits my soft skills better. Mental health has always been of importance to me and I want to be more people-centered, and honestly I would enjoy the prospect of working remotely or having my control over my schedule as well. I’m trying to find something I will enjoy long-term. For more context, I had also considered ESL teaching (i didnt enjoy lesson planning or public speaking) and also copywriting (i didnt want to turn a hobby into an occupation) so I kept going back to this. My own therapist even told me to look into social work as an option, and I’ve been doing some research ever since. She knows I worry about being stuck in something once I choose to pursue it. I was initially confident about this decision to go back to school and I have the support to do so, but after some recent conversations, I fear burn-out and having a stressful/large caseload once I’m in it. I would love any insight into this, what should go into my decision making, what to be aware of, etc. Thank you! (Edit: I already have my Bachelors. This would be a career change. And when I say pursuing my MSW I specifically mean going the clinical route and receiving my LCSW.)
How do I best prepare myself to practice psychotherapy in a specialized field?
I want to practice psychotherapy, but specifically for children. What field of psychology would this fall under? What do I need to study? Is it possible to specialize? I am a college freshman.
How many years would it take to become a licensed therapist and then eventually own a buissness that is a therapy office?
I would like to own a buissness where I am the boss, and I have employees who are all therapists. I do not know how many more years that would add with college.
When I am in the process of getting my bachelors degree in counseling/psychology how can I gain work experience in my chosen field?
I am a second semester freshman working on my bachelors in counseling/psychology, my plan is to get my therapists license and open my own therapy ranch and recovery center. However, I would like to start gaining some work experience in the field and I have no idea where to start.
What are good psychology courses to take? Is it worth it to go to an Ivy League school for psychology?
Should I do AP Psychology outside of my school? What clubs or programs could I join in either New York City or Pittsfield?
How to help those that don' t realize they're the problem?
How do you approach patients who are in therapy but appear to be the problem in most circumstnces they open up to you about? How do you admit this to them and assist them in actually understanding it? I've heard things about therapists who encourage their patients and motivate them to stand firm in themselves when to the rest of the world they are the issue.
What can I do during my undergraduate experience to prepare myself to apply to graduate school for music therapy?
What can I do during my undergraduate experience to prepare myself to apply to graduate school for music therapy? I am currently majoring in music & psychology at The College of New Jersey. I will be graduating with my B.A. in the Spring of 2027. I want to know what I can do now to prepare myself to apply to graduate school. This includes volunteerism, joining organizations, internships/research opportunities, etc.. I do not know where to start since I am not getting an undergraduate degree in music therapy specifically.
How can I prepare my career to stay secure and adaptable as AI continues to change the job market?
I’m in my mid-30s, currently working in music education and creative projects, but I’m considering shifting into a more stable, in-demand field like therapy, psychology, or speech-language pathology. I want to make sure whatever career path I invest in won’t be easily automated by AI. What skills, industries, or strategies should I focus on now to stay employable and relevant long-term?