How I Became a Therapist

Ever wondered about the journey your therapist undertook to become a seasoned professional in the field? How did they acquire their education, what rigorous training did they undergo, who supervised their practice, and how do they ensure competence in their work?

Allow me to shed light on the path I traversed to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Oregon (just one of the various routes to becoming a clinical mental health therapist in the USA).

My academic journey began at the University of Oregon, where I initially pursued a major in Psychology until I realized it involved more research than I preferred. Fortunately, I stumbled upon the Family and Human Services program, to which I applied and was accepted. For my third, fourth, and even fifth years at the university, I immersed myself in courses tailored to this major. Alongside my studies, I interned with the Department of Human Services in Child Welfare, a drug and alcohol treatment program for adolescent girls, and later at a drop-in center for homeless youth.

Upon obtaining my bachelor's degree, I took a hiatus from academia to gain practical experience in the field. Working as a case manager with homeless youth, engaging in community outreach, and advocating for the homeless population, I realized that if I aimed to work at a more therapeutic level, pursuing a master's degree was essential. Thus, I opted for a Master's in Social Work due to its versatile applications.

I was accepted into Portland State University’s Master's in Social Work program and chose the two-year, full-time option. The program encompassed a comprehensive curriculum covering the history of social work, policy frameworks, human development, evidence-based practices, the DSM, among other crucial subjects. Additionally, I completed hundreds of internship hours of unpaid practicum sites. These included providing emotional and academic support to students and families at a middle school, working in an intensive outpatient setting for behavioral health and addiction, and serving in a day treatment program for teens with mental health challenges.

Graduating in 2012, I secured a position at a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting youth experiencing their first episode of psychosis, marking my initiation into the realm of therapy.

Becoming a licensed mental health professional required the completion of thousands of hours of therapy or therapeutic services under the supervision of a licensed professional post masters degree. This process spanned three years. Upon fulfilling the requisite hours and supervision, I underwent a national licensing exam and an examination on social work regulations specific to Oregon, both of which I thankfully passed on my first attempt. Subsequently, I underwent fingerprinting, a thorough background check, and submitted all necessary documents and fees to the Oregon Board of Social Work for review and approval.

But the journey doesn’t end there. As licensed clinical social workers, we are obligated to renew our licenses with the board every two years and complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education to maintain proficiency in our field.

In summary, I dedicated over nine years to education, training, and licensure, including six years in school for my bachelor's and master's degrees, followed by three years of post-graduate training. Your therapist likely embarked on a similar path to attain their clinical license.