Question
Working on Mental Health
Career Discovery: Careers
Tune into a TV drama, and you're likely to see typical scenes of therapy in action. Perhaps there's a client sitting on a couch. Across sits a nodding, note-taking expert who uses phrases like "Tell me more about that." Some therapists do practice one-on-one "talk therapy" in just this way. However, the world of work for those in the mental health profession varies quite a bit. One therapist may work with individuals in private practice. Another might work with teens at a wilderness camp. However, all therapists presumably have some things in common: They are keen to discover what makes people tick. They also possess a natural desire to help others. Is a career as a therapist right for you?
A Day in the Life
The day-to-day life of a therapist is almost impossible to describe, as one workday is unlikely to resemble the next. Some mental health practitioners work in schools or hospitals. Others manage their own businesses. Some therapists work mostly with children and teens, while others may focus on adults. Clients may suffer from anxiety or grief or anger. The list goes on and on.
Essentially, however, most therapists help clients develop a better understanding of themselves. They help people change harmful thoughts and behaviors—and sharpen the tools that can help them navigate life's challenges.
Hitting the Books
The qualifications to become a therapist can differ widely. It depends on what kind of therapy you'd like to practice. But most therapists must earn an advanced degree in order to become licensed. That means they must continue their education beyond a four-year degree. Some mental health professionals, such as school counselors, have master's degrees. Others have even higher degrees.
Do you feel confident that a role in the field of mental health is right for you, yet you're unclear about what path to take? That's okay. Licensed mental health counselor Olivia Verhulst offers some advice. She says that finding your best fit within the mental health field often takes time. It requires exposure through various courses and real-world experience.
Highs and Lows
So, why become a therapist, and what are some of the downsides of the profession? Most therapists say the ability to help others improve their quality of life is the vocation's biggest reward. At the same time, however, counseling people through periods of emotional pain can be troubling and mentally exhausting. Therapists must learn to set personal and professional boundaries. That way, they can relate to their clients without becoming overwhelmed.
Natasha Halliday works as a social worker and therapist. She said on a podcast, "[My job is] fascinating because my role is to support people with struggles, but I still have so many beautiful moments where my clients offer sunshine in my life." Halliday says she is inspired by her clients' strength. She enjoys watching her clients find joy in the midst of difficult moments.
Today, more and more people are recognizing the importance of investing in their own well-being. As a result, mental health support is increasing in popularity. Depending on your goals in life and in work, a career as a therapist may be highly rewarding. Both for you and the clients you support along the way.
Think about and discuss these questions:
How would you describe the role of a therapist to someone who didn't know what they do? Use details from the article in your response.
What do you think some of the most rewarding parts of being a mental health professional are? Why?
Question 1
1 / 8
Which of these sentences states the main idea of the article?
Mental health professionals improve the lives of their patients in many settings.
Mental health professionals may earn one or two different advanced degrees.
Mental health professionals manage private practices where they see their clients.
Mental health professionals may work with groups of teens at wilderness camps.
Career Discovery: Careers
Tune into a TV drama, and you're likely to see typical scenes of therapy in action. Perhaps there's a client sitting on a couch. Across sits a nodding, note-taking expert who uses phrases like "Tell me more about that." Some therapists do practice one-on-one "talk therapy" in just this way. However, the world of work for those in the mental health profession varies quite a bit. One therapist may work with individuals in private practice. Another might work with teens at a wilderness camp. However, all therapists presumably have some things in common: They are keen to discover what makes people tick. They also possess a natural desire to help others. Is a career as a therapist right for you?
A Day in the Life
The day-to-day life of a therapist is almost impossible to describe, as one workday is unlikely to resemble the next. Some mental health practitioners work in schools or hospitals. Others manage their own businesses. Some therapists work mostly with children and teens, while others may focus on adults. Clients may suffer from anxiety or grief or anger. The list goes on and on.
Essentially, however, most therapists help clients develop a better understanding of themselves. They help people change harmful thoughts and behaviors—and sharpen the tools that can help them navigate life's challenges.
Hitting the Books
The qualifications to become a therapist can differ widely. It depends on what kind of therapy you'd like to practice. But most therapists must earn an advanced degree in order to become licensed. That means they must continue their education beyond a four-year degree. Some mental health professionals, such as school counselors, have master's degrees. Others have even higher degrees.
Do you feel confident that a role in the field of mental health is right for you, yet you're unclear about what path to take? That's okay. Licensed mental health counselor Olivia Verhulst offers some advice. She says that finding your best fit within the mental health field often takes time. It requires exposure through various courses and real-world experience.
Highs and Lows
So, why become a therapist, and what are some of the downsides of the profession? Most therapists say the ability to help others improve their quality of life is the vocation's biggest reward. At the same time, however, counseling people through periods of emotional pain can be troubling and mentally exhausting. Therapists must learn to set personal and professional boundaries. That way, they can relate to their clients without becoming overwhelmed.
Natasha Halliday works as a social worker and therapist. She said on a podcast, "[My job is] fascinating because my role is to support people with struggles, but I still have so many beautiful moments where my clients offer sunshine in my life." Halliday says she is inspired by her clients' strength. She enjoys watching her clients find joy in the midst of difficult moments.
Today, more and more people are recognizing the importance of investing in their own well-being. As a result, mental health support is increasing in popularity. Depending on your goals in life and in work, a career as a therapist may be highly rewarding. Both for you and the clients you support along the way.
Think about and discuss these questions:
How would you describe the role of a therapist to someone who didn't know what they do? Use details from the article in your response.
What do you think some of the most rewarding parts of being a mental health professional are? Why?
Question 1
1 / 8
Which of these sentences states the main idea of the article?
Mental health professionals improve the lives of their patients in many settings.
Mental health professionals may earn one or two different advanced degrees.
Mental health professionals manage private practices where they see their clients.
Mental health professionals may work with groups of teens at wilderness camps.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The sentence that states the main idea of the article is:
**Mental health professionals improve the lives of their patients in many settings.**
This captures the essence of the article, which discusses the various roles and environments in which therapists work, as well as the common goal they share of helping clients better understand themselves and improve their overall quality of life.
**Mental health professionals improve the lives of their patients in many settings.**
This captures the essence of the article, which discusses the various roles and environments in which therapists work, as well as the common goal they share of helping clients better understand themselves and improve their overall quality of life.
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