Therapists come from many backgrounds, and there is no single path into the profession. While individual journeys vary, licensed therapists typically share a few core milestones, including education, supervised clinical experience, and licensure.
Understanding these requirements — and how they come together in real-world roles — can help you explore therapist jobs near you and decide whether a position at Guidelight may be a good fit.
What does it take to become a licensed therapist?
While requirements vary by state and license type, most licensed therapists complete the following steps.
Education
Licensed therapists begin by earning a bachelor’s degree. Many study psychology or a related social science, though others enter the field after beginning their careers in different disciplines.
Therapists then earn a graduate degree, such as a master’s in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology. Some clinicians pursue doctoral degrees, though this is not required for many therapist roles.
Supervised clinical experience and licensure
After graduating, therapists complete post-degree supervised clinical hours. The number of required hours and supervision structure vary by state and license type.
Therapists likely need to pass licensing and jurisprudence exams to practice independently, depending on the state. Once licensed, clinicians may continue building experience through specialized training and continuing education.
At Guidelight, therapists bring strong educational foundations and clinical training to their work. As a growing organization, Guidelight offers opportunities for therapists at different stages of their careers.
Exploring therapist jobs near you at Guidelight
If you’re considering therapist roles, here’s an overview of what working at Guidelight may look like.
Our locations and care delivery
Guidelight provides in-person care at clinics in multiple states and offers virtual treatment options in select locations, including Colorado, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Both in-clinic and remote positions may be available, depending on role and location.
- Who we serve
Guidelight works with adults and adolescents ages 12 to 17. Care is delivered in a supportive, stigma-free environment for individuals experiencing a range of mental health needs, including mood-related challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, trauma-related symptoms, self-harm behaviors, and suicidality.
Treatment programs
Therapists at Guidelight work within structured levels of care, including:
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
- Virtual IOP
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Guidelight also offers a Spanish-language Intensive Outpatient Program to better serve Spanish-speaking communities.
Support for professional growth
Guidelight invests in therapist development by offering:
- Free, in-house clinical supervision
- Up to $1,500 per year for licensure support, continuing education, and tuition reimbursement
- Ongoing opportunities to expand clinical skills and specialize in intermediate levels of care
Benefits
Guidelight provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as 401(k) retirement planning with employer matching. Employees also have access to free, unlimited therapy through HealthJoy, in addition to mental health benefits covered by insurance.
Our mission-driven culture
Guidelight is committed to expanding access to mental health care and reducing stigma. Team members work together to provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment and support individuals in building meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Building your skills as a clinician at Guidelight
Therapists at Guidelight have opportunities to deepen their clinical expertise and collaborate across disciplines. In this setting, you may:
- Focus on evidence-based treatment while continuing professional education
- Receive training to work with specific populations and intermediate levels of care
- Support clients as they transition between levels of treatment
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary care team
Participate in outcomes-focused initiatives that help evaluate and improve care delivery
Learn more about the IOPs and PHP
If you accept a therapist job near you with Guidelight, you may work with IOP and PHP clients one-on-one and support them while they participate in group sessions. You may work primarily early in the day or in the evening.
The IOP and virtual IOP include:
- Treatment for ages 12 and older
- Three or more hours of treatment per day
- Treatment on three days of each week
- Sessions held in the day or evening
- Therapy, medication management and group sessions
The PHP includes:
- Treatment for ages 12 and older
- Five hours of treatment per day
- Treatment on every weekday
- Programming scheduled from morning to afternoon
- Therapy, medication management and group sessions
- A collaborative step-down process at the conclusion of the program
A typical IOP lasts for about six weeks. A PHP may last for about two weeks. Program length is determined by the client’s needs, goals and response to treatment. With time, you may gain the ability to shape your work to individuals’ precise situations and evolving treatment experiences.
Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team
Therapists at Guidelight work alongside a diverse group of professionals, including:
- Behavioral health technicians
- Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Registered nurses
- Clinical and organizational leadership teams
- Education facilitators supporting adolescents
- Occupational therapists
This collaborative approach supports both client care and professional growth. You would also work with our leadership team, a group of experienced mental health care providers and business leaders. You can learn about the company that they lead as a whole on our About page.
Find out more about working with Guideligh
To learn more, you can explore our job listings here. You can also read a few of our blog posts to learn:
- What we look for in professionals. This can answer questions like, “Could I be a good fit at Guidelight? What would a hiring manager look for in an application or interview?”
- What roles for therapists often look like. This may answer queries like, “What can I do in this field? If I have experience in one role, what might another be like?”
- How providing treatment can give you purpose. This could resolve thoughts like, “What role could being a therapist play in my life? How might I grow as a person, not just a professional?”
Contact our team online or call us today for more information about opportunities for employment. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our local clinics.