By Galileo 
The mental health profession has experienced record growth as more people than ever have turned to therapy services. Of course, many people have begun to wonder about becoming a therapist or counselor as a career when this has happened. You are not alone, you’re among many other people wondering if it is possible to pursue your dream of becoming a therapist via online education.
The short answer is yes—with major caveats. Internet-based coursework can provide much of the classroom-based theoretical foundation required for a career as a therapist, but licensure to practice as a therapist is more than just academics. Here’s what’s actually possible and what you need to know.
Online degrees in counseling are more developed and available now. Master’s degree programs in counseling, psychology, and other related subjects are now offered by most accredited institutions through distance learning programs. The essential themes of developmental psychology, therapeutic interventions, ethics, and research methods are included in these programs.
But quality varies widely between programs. The finest therapist courses online are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities, which also possess specialization accreditation from organizations like the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These programs are of the same high quality as campus programs.
The majority of online counseling degrees are hybrids in the sense that they have virtual classroom coursework and requirements on campus. This is because therapeutic skills cannot be acquired fully on a screen and require practical experience.
Every state will also have a licensing requirement for therapists, typically both experiential and educational. While much of your training will be able to be completed online, you will also need to fulfill supervised clinical experience requirements, and these will need to be completed in person.
All but a handful of states require 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical practicum and internship experience before issuing a license. This involves direct contact with clients with supervision by licensed clinicians. Telehealth supervision is being allowed in limited situations by a few states, but face-to-face client contact remains the standard.
In addition, every state requires passing a license exam, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Both of these exams test both the theoretical foundation and practical application of counseling skills.
Accreditation is your first consideration when choosing an online therapy program. Make sure programs are accredited by CACREP or other recognized accrediting agencies. That way, you can be sure your education will be accepted for licensure and be considered by prospective employers.
Also consider the program’s clinical placement assistance. Better programs put students in supervised practicum experience within their immediate community. Others even have local mental health center affiliations to assist in providing such practice experience.
Format of programs matters too. Some of them provide synchronous courses where you do virtual courses at scheduled times, and others provide asynchronous courses where you do coursework on your own time. Choose the format that will best suit your learning and life circumstance.
It is absolutely possible to become a therapist through online schooling with some planning and reasonable expectations. You must complement good online didactics with sufficient in-person clinical training. The duration is typically 2-3 years at the master’s level, and some extra time in supervised practice before full licensure.
Start by searching for the accredited programs in your state and your state’s licensing requirements. You may also ask current online students in therapy or licensed therapists who have followed this path. Their advice will enable you to make informed decisions about your education and your career.
The career demands trained, compassionate therapists. Online learning, with planning and determination, can be your ticket to this rewarding career.
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Umar Awan