We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Become an Online Therapist?

By K. Testa
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,633
Share

In order to become an online therapist, you should consider three issues that pertain to your career: requirements, training, and duties. The requirements are the prerequisites needed to enroll in a training program. Potential training opportunities could include both formal degree programs and informal education, rounded out with practical experience, if possible. The specific duties associated with the type of position you want may influence the type of online therapist training that you pursue, and there are usually special considerations for online-only practice. While online therapy usually refers to mental health counseling, the field can also encompass other practices, such as occupational and speech therapy, for instance.

The amount of prior education and experience required in order to take a training program to become an online therapist will vary by location. In the U.S., for example, typically only professionals with specific credentials, earned through formal training, are permitted to call themselves psychologists. The term "therapist" is not always restricted to those who have any specific training, although it depends on what type of therapy you are offering; most respected and successful therapists, no matter their field, do pursue professional training and licensing, however. A typical course of study might include earning an undergraduate degree, followed by completing graduate training and passing a licensing exam.

When training to become an online therapist, you typical options include traditional colleges and universities, as well as those that offer distance learning and online courses. Most professionals recommend undergoing training that includes both formal and informal components, along with some clinical supervision. Formal training refers to degree or certification programs, while occasional conferences and workshops can be considered informal training. An example of clinical work would be an internship taken during the academic year, under the supervision of a licensed therapist.

Online therapist duties typically include performing initial screenings to ascertain clients' needs, and then scheduling appointments to provide them with mental health counseling or general advice. Therapists utilize a variety of treatment methods, depending on the clients, while always maintaining their ethical obligations and professional standards of practice. If you want to become an online therapist, you will probably have to deal with certain aspects of technology that you might not encounter as a face-to-face therapist. It is likely that you will establish your online presence through email, chat, and video conferences, for example. While online privacy is always a significant concern in any profession, you might need to take extra steps as an online therapist to ensure the safety and security of your clients.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-an-online-therapist.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.