Berkeley Parents Network: Career as a Therapist

Berkeley Parents Network

Career as a Therapist

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Working & Careers > Career as a Therapist

Considering a switch from academia to therapy

Considering a switch from academia to therapy

Feb 2008

I'm considering switching careers, from academia to therapy, but I need more information before I make the leap. I find my current job to be quite stressful and incompatible with my desire to have time and mental energy for my family, or with my desire to stay in the Bay Area. I think I have a knack for listening, empathizing, and giving practical advice and would enjoy working with people one-on-one. Here are my questions:

1) How should I go about deciding which degree I need (MFT, PsyD, MSW, PhD...), and which school? Is there a resource online, or a book that describes the options? I'm particularly interested in cognitive behavioral therapy, since this is the therapy that I've found most useful personally.

2) I have a toddler-age daughter and hope to get pregnant again soon, so I'm eager to find a career that I could build part-time while my kids are small. Is it possible to obtain a degree and log the necessary hours of experience on a part-time basis?

3) How much can I expect to make in the Bay Area, once I'm working full time and have completed interning? My husband has a well-paid job so I could swing the financial sacrifice for a while but not indefinitely...

4) Are there sources of stress/unhappiness in this career that I might not be anticipating? Does it continue to be stimulating after many years of practice? How difficult is it to build up a private practice? If anyone would be willing to talk to me personally, please leave your e-mail address. Thanks! anon

I am a licensed therapist and this is a second career for me. I was formerly a video producer and journalist. I have worked in schools, pediatric hospice, and mental health agencies. I currently supervise trainees (graduate school students) and interns(post grad)at a bay area mental health agency. I would be happy to share what I know and what I tell my students. Debra

I'll give you my perspective on question #4. As a therapist in Berkeley who knows many others in private practice (it sounds like that's what you're asking about), it is quite difficult to build a full practice. This is one of the most therapist-saturated areas in the country (like top 3 or something like that). The majority of therapists I know (and virtually all of them in their first 10 years after licensure) are struggling to maintain a full client load (whether that's full time or part time). That is not to say that many people don't support themselves nonetheless. I find it difficult as a mother to figure out a schedule since it's easiest to fill early morning and evening hours with clients, while these are the hours that I am least able to work since I have little kids. However, by the time you'd be licensed, your kids will be bigger. Will you be willing to work 1 or more evenings? (Almost everyone does.) (Note that it will take you probably 6 years or more from starting grad school to being licensed, and most internships are unpaid.) Building a private practice is easier if you're a networking kind of person, someone who is willing to put yourself out there, market yourself in some way.

So, it's not an easy or well-paid road. However, I am happy I picked this field, especially given that my family is not reliant on my income. I really enjoy the work after 15 years doing it, and still feel like I have a lot of control over my hours and what interests I pursue. I can get involved in new projects and areas of focus, so my interest never wanes. I love the work with clients and the work on myself which I see as the cornerstone to being a good therapist. Be prepared to examine yourself constantly and not get paid much! good luck!!

I had the same question as you. I talked to several therapists about the same thing. Basically, I decided not to go into it because of the financial component. Getting hours is difficult and takes a lot more time than the coursework. Also, you don't get paid well while working. It's very hard to build a private practice with the intense competition here in the Bay Area where therapists are a dime a dozen. Most of the jobs are with socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and involve a lot of triage, not much depth work which is what most people think of when they think of therapy. One therapist I talked to had to work a lot of part time jobs outside of therapy just to survive and when choosing a job in therapy, had to settle for one in a jail.

As far as getting a doctorate, one therapist who worked years to get it, said even with the Phd, it was extremely difficult to get a decent salaried position and building a private practice was just as hard as with a MFT. Incidentally, this person is supported by a spouse and can pick and choose, so you might be able to do the same thing as well. However, getting a salaried position where you actually get to do real therapy is very hard no matter what the circumstances. Glad I Didn't Go That Route

Dear Anon Both my wife and I are psychotherapists in the E Bay. We have practiced in an HMO, County Govt., NonProfits, Schools, Criminal Justice Agencies, Hospice,and Private Practice. My youngest daughter is attending an MSW Program out of state. Our combined years of practice in the Bay exceed 60 years. We both have felt rewarded and honored to participate in the lives of others as therapists.

Your knack for empathizing and desire to work one on one is a good match with the profession. Most of my hours practicing do not include "giving practical advice" but does include giving out info. Work can be quite stressful due in part to the settings. However, the work is often with flexible schedules. I encourage you to try a volunteer experience to further explore the fit. I recommend Family Paths, Hotline Volunteer. Good training too.

We agree with our daughter's decision to get an MSW because it is more portable and flexible than the MFT. Employment opportunities exist for the MSW (LCSW is the license) that do not exist for the MFT. LCSW is qualified for all MFT positions.

Cheaper than a PhD that probably costs 150,000 by now and takes many more years. Getting into MSW programs are tough, apply to all in the area. I will discuss this more with you if you wish I do not know of online or books to read about this. Your interest in CBT is good. CBT is the best practice and evidence based treatment for many things. License will not dictate what you learn in the long run. Yes part time work and training is possible.

Range of income in Bay at the Masters Level is 40 to 80 K FTE my best guess I will talk more with you about the upside and down side. But, we have never gotten bored or lost excitement in our work. Jim

The opinions and statements expressed on this website are those of parents who subscribe to the Berkeley Parents Network. Please see Disclaimer & Usage for information about using content on this website.