Working in the mental health space can be an incredibly rewarding career. Not only are you able to help people navigate through life challenges, you’re also able to be their guide and supporter on their journey toward becoming the best version of themselves.
When you become a licensed clinician, there isn’t one set path to follow. Therapists make up a large portion of the clinical roles, but there are plenty of different therapist roles that are worth considering.
We’re here to give you the rundown on possible therapist roles that you can pursue and how to determine which option is right for you. Then you’ll learn about the opportunities that we provide at Guidelight Health.
Possible therapist roles you can pursue as a licensed clinician
If you’re a licensed clinician, it can be encouraging to know about the different therapist roles that you can look into. At the same time, it can be a bit overwhelming if you feel like you’re being pulled in different directions.
By learning about common therapist positions, all of which we have in our Guidelight team, you can gain a better idea about the role you want to play in a person’s mental health journey.
Here are four types of licensed therapist jobs:
Adult therapist
Not everyone recognizes their negative mental, emotional and behavioral patterns until those patterns have an impact on their relationships, goals and self-image as an adult. Even though most people can benefit from therapy, it may be a concept that doesn’t come up until later in life. That’s what the role “adult therapist” refers to.
Being an adult therapist is exactly what it sounds like. It means that you help adults improve their overall quality of life by:
- Recognizing, diagnosing and treating mental health condition symptoms
- Working through difficult situations or life transitions
- Teaching coping strategies for long-term improvement
- Determining the root causes of mental distress
- Helping clients recognize their ability to take control of their mental health
Being an adult therapist means using evidence-based techniques during sessions including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and mindfulness.
Adolescent therapist
Mental health doesn’t have an age restriction. The adolescent years, ages 12-18, can bring many challenges that can affect a young person’s development and identity without effective treatment. It’s also possible for symptoms of mental health or neurological conditions to develop during this time or even before (e.g., anxiety and depressive disorders).
Along with diagnosing and treating conditions, adolescent therapists can help young people enter adulthood with improved mental, emotional and behavioral well-being by:
- Navigating difficult life changes (e.g., a parental divorce or loss of a loved one)
- Discussing challenges with their identity and self-esteem
- Learning skills that will help them build and maintain a positive mental well-being
An adolescent therapist uses evidence-based techniques, such as CBT and DBT. But you may also incorporate creative approaches, such as art therapy, to help a young client further engage in treatment.
Occupational therapist
Daily functioning doesn’t always come easily, especially for people who live with mental health conditions or neurological or physical disabilities that impact their ability to handle tasks. Sometimes, children and older adults need additional support to learn or maintain motor, cognitive and social skills needed for everyday life.
As an occupational therapist, you can help people of all ages to learn the skills they need to perform necessary tasks (e.g., solving problems through critical thinking), as well as tasks that enrich their lives (e.g., trying a new hobby).
An occupational therapist in a mental health setting helps clients to:
- Improve their communication and socialization skills
- Reach and maintain independence in their everyday functioning
- Develop and enhance cognitive skills, such as memory and paying attention
Intake therapist
If you want to be by a person’s side right from the start of their mental health treatment journey, an intake therapist might be the role for you. An intake therapist is the person who starts the process of treatment by completing the initial evaluation. They are the person a potential client talks to after filling out a contact or referral form.
The role of an intake therapist involves:
- Gathering relevant information, such as symptoms and medical history
- Discussing what to expect from treatment with potential clients
- Determining what program would be the best fit for a person’s needs
- Answering questions about the next steps
As a licensed clinician, being an intake therapist gives you the opportunity to use your knowledge to set people on the right path and prepare them for a successful treatment outcome.
How to know which therapist role is right for you
If you’re a licensed clinician but you’re not sure which therapist role you should pursue, that’s OK. If you’re newly licensed and recently finished your degree, you can talk to your school’s advisers to discuss your options. You can also check your state’s licensing board website for requirements and approved scopes of practice for each therapist designation.
If you’re trying to decide which path would be best, here are a few things to consider:
Degree/certification
Even with a clinical license, additional requirements may be needed before you’re eligible for certain therapist roles. For example, an occupational therapist position will require OT master’s or doctorate degrees. Thoroughly research the prerequisites for a specific therapist role.
Strengths
Think about what you bring to the table and what areas you excel in. By thinking about what your strengths are, you can gain a better idea about which role you would find the most success in. For example, if you pride yourself on being patient, you’d likely be able to handle adolescent clients who aren’t always ready to share their emotions.
Overall career goals
Why did you decide to become a licensed clinician? What do you hope to achieve in the field? By asking yourself these questions and pinpointing your long-term career goals, you’ll see which role will help you along the path to achieving them.
Guidelight has a place for many licensed therapy jobs
When a person starts mental health treatment, it’s a collaborative effort that’s made possible between the client, their support system and a team of professionals.
At Guidelight, our comprehensive treatment plans can’t be carried out without an array of therapist roles on our team. We would love to be a part of your journey in the mental health space.
We pride ourselves on creating a safe environment for mental health treatment by promoting a set of values throughout our team of trained clinicians, including:
- Compassion
- Inclusivity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Empowerment
By combining these values with our evidence-based clinical program, we help people along their mental health journey and improve their overall quality of life. If you want to have a hand in our mission, our licensed therapy roles may be what you’re looking for.
For an inside look on what it’s like to work with us, here’s a testimonial from Gavin Parks, a therapist at Guidelight: “Guidelight’s culture is something that sets us apart in the mental health field. It is refreshing to walk in a place where I can be myself and it is met with support. I can share my thoughts without fear of retaliation. I can offer feedback, and it’s met with acceptance.”
There are three types of treatment that you may be assigned to:
If you’re looking for career opportunities at Guidelight, visit our Careers page to see what positions are currently available.
Everyone has a seat at Guidelight. Contact our team online or call us today for more information about available licensed therapy roles.