Different Career Paths for Therapists

26 Nov Different Career Paths for Therapists

A therapist is defined as an individual specializing in the therapeutic medical treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder. Alternatively, it can be a person trained as a healthcare professional trained in methods of treatment and rehabilitation other than the use of drugs or surgery. Therapy is something that most people will have an interaction with at some point in their lives. Sometimes while grieving the loss of a loved one, working through destructive behaviors, or even making sure that developing habits are healthy. Therapists are always needed in multiple settings so it is a stable career choice for those that are looking for new options. There are several directions that therapists can go careerwise. This is by no means an exhaustive list but some of the possible options are:

Clinical therapist

These therapists work with patients that have severe mental disorders. As the name implies, they are often found in clinical settings either with hospitals or outpatient facilities. They often have licensure and degree requirements but also tend to be well compensated as a result.

Substance abuse therapist

These therapists work most often with addiction or addictive behaviors in patients. They can act as a liaison in helping coordinate further treatment at rehab, short-term crisis, or longer-term care facilities. 

Family therapist

These therapists deal with problems that may involve families as a whole. Problems with childhood development, behavioral issues, and mental disorders are often their main focus. They identify and intervene as early as possible to correct non-constructive behaviors and to help guide patients towards healthier alternatives. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapist

CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on tangible and practical approaches to mental issues. It is a means to identify triggers of thought patterns and actions and help them gradually shift towards more positive behaviors. This helps defeat common spirals that are seen in depression and anxiety and allows patients to take control back over their lives one step at a time.

Wilderness Therapist

This is more of a blend position as many wilderness therapists do a few jobs at the same time. Some parts of their job are similar to each of the other positions on this list. They work with families and developing children/teens to reestablish a positive approach to mental health for everyone. They use the outdoors as a tool to facilitate self-reflection, increase relaxation, and remove distracting influences while coaching others. As it is a non-traditional role, wilderness therapists get some perks that the other positions often don’t. They work on rotating schedules so they routinely get weeks off at a time after working for a few weeks. They spend the majority of their time in nature and helping others build confidence through learning survival skills. 

Do any of these options sound compelling to you? Contact the professionals at Trails Carolina to review open positions and see how you can start your new therapy career today!