Becoming a therapist is a rewarding and meaningful career path that requires dedication, education, and a genuine passion for helping others. With the practice of online therapy increasing exponentially in popularity, both people seeking therapy and therapists seeking employment are able to benefit in a number of ways. 

In this article, we will explore the typical requirements needed to become an online therapist, the benefits of becoming an online provider, and the average salary of an online therapist based on qualifications.

Becoming a therapist

For those with an authentic passion for the study of psychology and the act of helping others, a career in therapy can be rewarding and meaningful.  The role of a therapist is centered around understanding human emotion and working directly with clients to improve mental health and well-being. According to Forbes magazine, the job outlook for psychology and mental health related careers is expected to grow by 8% by 2030. 

Generally, an aspiring therapist will need to receive a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree, doctoral degree, or both. There are a number of different specialty areas a therapist may pursue such as cognitive, behavioral or marriage and family therapy.

While the formal education requirements of becoming a therapist in any speciality tend to coincide, licensing requirements tend to differ based on area of practice and may vary state by state. 

Types of licensing for online mental health therapists

When seeking online therapy positions, most reputable platforms will require providers to be fully licensed by the state board, holding a state-issued license such as LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or Psy.D.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is a professional designation given to Master’s level social workers with an emphasis in counseling. In most cases, an LCSW will complete a masters degree in social work, followed by a certain number of supervised clinical hours and a licensing exam. Typically, LCSW’s are trained to provide therapy and counseling to individuals, families and groups. An LCSW is equipped with the ability to diagnose mental health conditions and develop treatment plans. 

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) specializes in providing mental health services to individuals, couples, and families. Along with a masters or doctoral degree, an LMFT will be required to complete a number of supervised clinical hours and pass a state licensing exam. LMFTs are skilled in utilizing various therapeutic approaches and techniques, such as family systems theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and emotionally focused therapy, to help clients achieve their therapeutic goals.

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is trained to address a wide range of psychological and emotional issues, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

An LPC has the ability to employ a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy in order to improve a client’s well-being and achieve personal goals. Licensing requirements for LPCs are similar to that of LCSWs and LMFTs.

A Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) indicates a practitioner holds a professional doctoral degree in psychology. A Psy.D. focuses on the practical application of psychological knowledge and skills with an emphasis on clinical application. This is the primary difference between a Psy.D and PhD, which programs include a strong emphasis on research, which tends to be less the case in Psy.D. programs.

How much do online therapists make

As the online therapy landscape continues to evolve, compensation and pay scales for online therapists tend to shift as well. For this reason, it is important to note that the information provided here is a general overview as specific earnings can vary significantly.

According to current data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the average annual salary for mental health professionals tends to range anywhere from $42,760 to $168,790 with average hourly wages ranging from $20.56 to $81.15. These averages encompass both traditional in-person therapy and online therapy.

When practicing online therapy, a provider may employ different models for delivering services, with experience, number of clients, and chosen online platform influencing the income potential. Due to the variables involved when seeking a career in online therapy, it is recommended that therapists conduct research, consider their qualifications, and take into account the employment requirements of the online therapy platforms available to them. 

For example, to work as a therapist with BetterHelp you must have completed 2,000 hours of clinical supervision and fully licensed by the state board to provide therapy. According to their website, mental health professionals in the online division at BetterHelp can earn as much as $8,500 per month, depending on the time commitment of the therapist and their caseload.

The benefits of being an online therapy provider

Becoming an online therapy provider offers a number of benefits including more flexibility in terms of their client base along with the potential to reach clients from different regions, both of which can have a positive impact on earning potential. 

Additionally, scheduling sessions with clients tend to be more streamlined as online therapy sessions eliminate the need for commuting and can be administered and received anywhere. 

Along with client benefits, working online eliminates a number of hassles that in-person practitioners may face including inconvenient office locations, tedious commutes, and rigid work hours.