What is Counseling and Therapy?
Counseling and therapy are terms often used interchangeably, but there are key distinctions between them in terms of scope of practice, training, education, and licensure requirements. Counseling typically refers to short-term support provided by non-licensed professionals such as academic advisors, career counselors, addiction counselors, school counselors, or religious-based counselors. Therapy (also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy) typically refers to treatment provided by licensed professionals that focus on deeper psychological issues and mental health.
How to Become a Therapist
Step 1: Pick which license you want to pursue
There are multiple avenues to practicing therapy in CA and there are many factors to consider when deciding which profession is right for you. Each profession has different philosophies, training, and theoretical frameworks. They also have their strengths and weaknesses compared to each other.
For example, psychologists have extensive training in conducting assessments and diagnosing certain disorders that the other professions cannot, such as neurodevelopmental disorders. However, they have a high focus on research as well which does not interest students who want to purely pursue clinical work. Social workers have extensive training in social services and case management, but less training in counseling technique/theory.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What population do I want to work with?
- What kinds of settings do I want to work in?
- What kinds of clinical skills do I want to develop?
- What kinds of treatment do I want to provide?
Start off by reading the 6 Unique Kinds of California Mental Health Providers Explained and explore further below.
CA Behavioral Health Related Licenses
- LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• National Professional Association: National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• CA Professional Association: NASW CA Chapter
• Program Accreditation Board: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)Social Work Programs in California
Special Note: Social workers do not need to become licensed (LCSW) in order to work in the field. With a Master’s in Social Work, individuals can work in roles such as case management, care coordination, community outreach, or program support. However, to provide psychotherapy independently and use the title Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a graduate degree, supervised clinical hours, and state licensure are required.
About Social Workers
"Some social workers help clients who face a disability or a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse. Some social workers conduct research, advocate for improved services, engage in systems design or are involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting."Education/Key Coursework
Philosophy/Approach
Work Environments
Master’s in Social Work (MSW)
- Social Policy
- Social Justice
- Social Work Practice
- Human Behavior & Social Environment
- Micro-Mezzo-Macro Practice
- Social Systems
- Diagnosis
- Practice and Field Study
Rooted in social justice, systems theory, and person-in-environment approach
Focus on social functioning and helping individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being. Policy, advocacy, case management.
Non-profits
Hospitals (medical case management)
Schools
Government agencies
Community mental health agencies
Private Practice
- LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
• National Professional Association: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• CA Professional Association: California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
• Program Accreditation Board: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or CACREP
Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in California
About Marriage and Family Therapists
"Marriage and family therapists are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems."Education/Key Coursework
Philosophy/Approach
Work Environments
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling Psychology, or related field
Mostly similar to LPCC with the addition of:
Family Systems Theory
Couples Counseling
Human Sexuality
Family Counseling
May be missing some coursework from LPCC programs like Trauma and Crisis or Career Counseling.
Focus on systemic and relational approaches
Rooted in family systems theory.
Addresses relational dynamics in couples and families.
Treats relational issues (couples, family therapy).
Non-profits
Hospitals
Schools
Government agencies
Community mental health agencies
Private Practice
- LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor)
• National Professional Association: American Counseling Association (ACA)
• CA Professional Association: California Association for LPCC (CALPCC)
• Program Accreditation Board: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Clinical Counseling Programs in California
What Is a Professional Counselor?
"Professional counselors help people gain personal insights, develop strategies and come up with real-life solutions to the problems and challenges they face in every area of life. As trained and credentialed professionals, they accomplish this by getting to know clients, by building safe, positive relationships and suggesting tools and techniques they believe will benefit clients."Education/Key Coursework
Philosophy/Approach
Work Environments
Master’s in Counseling or related field (with emphasis on clinical mental health)
- Counseling Skills
- Counseling Therapy
- Assessment
- Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Research
- Human Development
- Group Counseling
- Career Counseling
- Trauma and Crisis
- Psychopharmacology
- Substance Abuse
- Multicultural Counseling
- Law and Ethics
- Practicum and Internship
Focus on the mental health and wellbeing of the individual.
Theoretical orientation and treatment modalities vary by counselor. Practitioners can choose their specialty or area of focus based on post-graduate training and clinical supervision.
- Non-profits
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Government agencies
- Community mental health agencies
- Private Practice
- LEP (Licensed Educational Psychologist)
This is the licensed version of a credentialed School Psychologist which allows them to practice out of a school environment, see School Psychologist with PPS Credential
• National Professional Association: National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
• State Professional Association: California Association of School Psychologists (CASP)
• Program Accreditation Board: Also NASP
Educational Psychology Programs in California
Licensed Educational Psychologists FAQ
"The Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) states the following: The practice of educational psychology is the performance of any professional functions about academic learning processes or the education system or both including diagnosis of psychological disorders related to academic learning processes."Education/Key Coursework
Philosophy/Approach
Work Environments
Master’s degree in psychology, education, or related field
- Interviewing and Counseling
- School/Educational Psychology Assessment
- Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Legal Aspects
- Group Processes
- Human Development
- Cognitive Assessment
- Behavioral Assessment
- Academic Intervention
- Special Needs
- Practicum and Internship
Credential as a school psychologist
3 years of experience as a school psychologist
Focus on learning, development, and educational environments
Specialized in school-based interventions and assessments.
Provide psychoeducational assessments.
Help with learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and emotional challenges in school settings.
Provide consultation to educators and families.
- Public and private schools
- Educational institutions
- Private practice
- Consulting roles within education systems
- LP (Licensed Psychologist)
• National Professional Association: American Psychological Association (APA)
• CA Professional Association: California Psychological Association
• Program Accreditation Board: Also APA
Clinical Psychology Programs in California
What do practicing psychologists do?
"Practicing psychologists help a wide variety of people and can treat many kinds of problems. Some people may talk to a psychologist because they have felt depressed, angry, or anxious for a long time. Or, they want help for a chronic condition that is interfering with their lives or physical health. Others may have short-term problems they want help navigating, such as feeling overwhelmed by a new job or grieving the death of a family member."Education/Key Coursework
Philosophy/Approach
Work Environments
Doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in Psychology from an accredited program
- Research, Data Analysis, Program Evaluation
- Psychotherapy
- Clinical Psychology Methods
- Assessment (intellectual, personality)
- Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Personality Theory
- Ethics
- Practicum and Internship
Scientist-practitioner model
Focus on psychological testing, diagnosis, and research
Strong emphasis on evidence-based therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT).
Treat complex mental health disorders.
Conduct psychological assessments and testing.
Provide therapy, consultation, and research.
- Non-profits
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Government agencies
- Community mental health agencies
- Private Practice
- Research institutions
Step 2: Get a Bachelor's degree
It doesn't matter if you get a BA or a BS if you want to become a therapist. In fact, you could even pursue a degree in a field other than psychology. Most programs will accept a bachelor's degree in any field, but may require prerequisite coursework. Identify which graduate programs you are interested in and read the admissions requirements so you can make sure you take the necessary coursework at UC Davis. Most of the time, the coursework is already embedded in your psych degree. Common coursework includes:
- Research Methods in Psychology (PSC 41)
- Statistics (STA 13)
- Cognitive Psychology (PSC 100)
- Developmental Psychology (PSC 140)
- Abnormal Psychology (PSC 168)
Course, Double Major, Minor, and Experiential Recommendations
Step 3: Get a graduate degree
When choosing a graduate program, it’s important to make sure the degree aligns with the license you want to pursue. Each license has specific educational requirements, and not every program will qualify you for every pathway. Start by reviewing the accreditation boards (linked above) to see which programs meet the standards for your desired license. From there, look closely at program descriptions to confirm they prepare graduates for licensure in CA. If you’re unsure, reach out directly to your program or interest or your state licensing board to confirm that completing the program will make you eligible for licensure where you plan to practice.
Also consider the following when picking the best program for you:
- Program length
- Coursework offered
- Practicum and internship site options
- Cohort model
- Professors and lecturers
- Specialties or concentrations
- Admissions requirements
- Student life
- Leadership opportunities
- Tuition
Find a Program
- Social Work Programs in California
- Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in California
- Clinical Counseling Programs in California
- Educational Psychology Programs in California
- Clinical Psychology Programs in California
Admissions Requirements
Every program has different admission requirements and preferences when reviewing applicants. Some programs do not require prerequisite coursework, some do. Some programs require a certain number of hours in the field, some don’t. You can also ask your program of interest if they publish admissions statistics. You must review each program's admission requirments carefully. Most graduate programs will ask for and evaluate the following:
• Bachelor's degree in any field
• Minimum GPA requirement
• Personal Statements, Written Statements, Writing Samples
• Resume of CV
• Letter of Recommendations
Step 4: Gain clinical hours and get licensed
Graduates should know that the journey to becoming a counselor or a therapist does not end after receiving their graduate education. Graduates must apply for their associateship, collect thousands of hours of supervised clinical experience, pass a law and ethics exam, apply for their independent license, and then pass their licensing exam.
What is associateship?
Associateship is the transitional phase between completing your graduate degree in counseling or therapy and becoming a fully licensed professional. After graduating, you must apply to become an Associate (such as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, AMFT, or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC, depending on your program and state). This status allows you to gain supervised clinical experience, which is a critical step toward independent licensure.
As an Associate, you’ll work under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, accumulating thousands of hours of clinical experience in areas such as direct client counseling, case management, and consultation. The specific number of hours required varies by state but typically ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 hours. In CA, it is 3,000 hours. During this time, you’ll refine your therapeutic skills, apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, and demonstrate competency in ethical and legal standards of practice.
Becoming an Associate also means you're required to pass a Law and Ethics Exam in your state, ensuring that you have a strong understanding of the legal responsibilities and ethical dilemmas you’ll encounter in practice. Only after completing your supervised hours and passing all required exams can you apply for your independent license, which allows you to practice without supervision and take on more responsibilities.
Licensing Boards
The Board of Behavioral Sciences is responsible for licensing:
- Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFT/LMFT) - Important Answers to FAQs for AMFTs
- Professional Clinical Counselors (APCC/LPCC) - Important Answers to FAQs for APCCs
- Clinical Social Workers (ACSW/LCSW) - Important Answers to FAQs for ACSWs
- Educational Psychologists (LEP)
- *The A indicates associate levels which is pre-licensure, the L indicates fully licensure and the ability to practice independently
The Board of Psychology is responsible for licensing:
Alternative Therapy Careers
While the careers above are primarily focused on traditional talk therapy, there are also therapy roles that use creative, experiential, and body-based methods to support mental health and well-being such as art therapy, music therapy, and recreational therapy. Alternative therapy careers still require formal training, ethical practice, and often licensure or certification, but they offer distinct ways to help clients grow, cope, and heal beyond traditional talk therapy models.
- Music Therapy
- What is a Music Therapist?
How to Become One
Job Posting Example - Art Therapy
- What is an Art Therapist?
How to Become One
Job Posting Example - Recreational Therapy
- What is a Recreational Therapist?
How to Become One
Job Posting Example
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I increase my chances of being accepted into a graduate program?
- Graduate programs in counseling and therapy usually perform a holistic review of your application. This means that all the application components are weighed together before making an admission decision. Many students worry that a low GPA will disqualify them. However, these are factors that admissions committees may pay more attention to:
Does the applicant understand what being a counselor or therapist means?
This field requires a genuine desire to help others through their personal, emotional, and psychological struggles. Applicants should show a clear understanding of what the work entails.
Is the applicant ready to enter the field?
Admissions committees want to see that applicants have prepared themselves for this line of work. This can be demonstrated through relevant experience like internships, volunteer work, or jobs. They will look for applicants who have developed some foundational skills in counseling and an awareness of what they will face as a mental health provider. Examples of experience relevant to behavioral health: peer advisor, crisis hotline worker, behavioral health technician, residential counselor, case manager, community outreach worker, substitute teacher, camp counselor.
Is the applicant’s disposition suitable for the field?
Counseling and therapy requires a specific temperament and qualities such as empathy, patience, self-awareness, and emotional resilience. Programs are looking for applicants who can connect with diverse clients, stay grounded in difficult conversations, and manage the emotional toll of the work.
What are the applicant’s intentions in entering this field?
Programs want to see that applicants are motivated by more than just academic achievement or job prospects, like a genuine passion to help others or commitment to social justice.
Has the applicant reflected and worked on themselves, similar to how they will help their future clients?
Given the introspective nature of counseling, programs highly value applicants who have demonstrated the ability to reflect on their own personal growth and experiences. A counselor or therapist can only help others as much as they have helped themselves. Applicants should show an openness to feedback, a willingness to learn, and the ability to manage their own emotional well-being—skills essential for both graduate school and professional practice. - What if I want to practice in another state in the future? Or, what if I want to complete my education in one state, and apply for licensure in another?
This is possible, but there are a few considerations to note.
Each state has their own board and process for licensure. This also changes depending on if you’re an in-state applicant (meaning you completed your education within the state you are applying for licensure), an out-of-state applicant (meaning you completed your education outside of the state you are applying for licensure), if you’ve held a license in another state, or if you’ve never applied for licensure. Refer to each state’s licensing board for mental health professions for more information.
In-state applications are more streamlined compared to out-of-state applications. This is because the state board will have a pre-approved list of schools in their state that covers licensure requirements. As an out-of-state applicant, you have to provide thorough evidence that your out-of-state coursework meets their requirements. You may have to meet missing requirements if your graduate program did not cover them.
A license in one state might have a different name in another state. For example, Massachusetts licenses LMHCs, which is similar to LPCCs in CA.
You might not be able to carry over pre-licensure hours from one state to another. This means you have to start over if you move states while you’re an associate.
- What is a professional association?
A professional association is an organization that represents individuals in a specific profession. These associations provide resources, networking opportunities, continuing education, and advocacy for the profession. They help set ethical standards, promote best practices, and offer certifications that enhance a professional's credibility. Examples in mental health include the American Counseling Association (ACA) or the American Psychological Association (APA).
What is an accreditation board?
A program accreditation board is responsible for evaluating and certifying educational programs that train professionals in a field. For mental health careers, accreditation boards ensure that degree programs meet established standards of quality and prepare students for the field. Accredited programs are recognized as offering the necessary curriculum, faculty, and resources for professional competency. For instance, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits counseling programs, and APA accredits psychology programs.
See more here: COAMFTE vs CACREP vs WASC - What is Accreditation?