Lifestyle

Starting an Online Career in Therapy and Counseling

Interested in starting an online career in therapy and counseling but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place! Here, we will help you jump start that career so you can earn money as online therapist or counselor in no time.

As you probably know it, therapy and counseling are two broad fields of study. Doing a “counselor needed” job search will give you millions of results but might not connect you with the right job. It is, therefore, important that you determine what type of counseling you are going to offer so that you can get started on your career.

The following are just some of the therapy and counseling jobs available:

Admissions Counselor
Enrollment Counselor
Genetic Counselor
Licensed Alcohol and Drug
Mental Health Counselor
School Counselor

Before becoming a counselor, you must be certified for the job, of course. To become a therapeutic counselor eligible for licensure in your state, you must complete an undergraduate degree program, earn a Master’s degree or higher, and undergo 2-3 years of additional study plus clinical service hours. Different states might have different regulations; check with the local licensing board for licensure rules.

As a licensed counselor, you are legally allowed to begin a career in therapy and counseling. What’s great about living in this modern world is that you don’t have to wait for clients to visit your office – you don’t even need to have one! There are plenty of online platforms such as BetterHelp where you can find jobs that pay on an hourly rate, without you actively advertising your credentials to find clients.

At BetterHelp, you must be licensed to provide therapeutic counseling services by your local state licensing board, should have at least 2000 hours of clinical practice in their field you are applying for, and ideally have customer service experience to better relate to clients regarding questions, issues, or concerns.

Currently, BetterHelp only offers jobs to US residents, with an hourly rate of $15 to $25. You can opt to work part-time or full-time hours, depending on your availability. Take note that as online provider, you may work full-time hours, but you remain as independent provider and your work is still classified as freelance. That said, you won’t be a regular employee of BetterHelp but you can continue earning as much as you can manage on the site.

Starting an Online Career

First, you need to create an account on the site you are applying for, in this case at BetterHelp. Search for the job or career that you are certified for or wish to work in. “Online therapist job” might be too broad, but it can still give you a good list of available jobs to suit your qualifications.

But a more specific job search is the better option so you can find the best job that would fit your online career. For example, if you are licensed in clinical mental health counseling, job searches for “mental health therapist” and “online mental health jobs” will yield better results.

Apply for the job and wait for approval. Make sure to provide your credentials, with proof of your license and other documents the job site might require. Many sites offer an enrollment counselor to assist you with the process. Study the platform and get your feel of the job offers. You might be required to complete certain tasks and pass various tests before you finally get clients.