Pay varies based on where you work and your experience. It’s often not a super high-paying field at first, but many people find the work more rewarding than a bigger paycheck. As you get more education and experience, your salary can grow, especially if you move into supervisory or private practice roles.
Can I just work with couples, or do I have to see families?
You can specialize! Many therapists choose to work mostly with couples. Others might focus on families with teenagers, or on helping people through divorce. Your license allows you to work with individuals, couples, and families. You get to decide what kind of clients you feel most passionate about helping. Many therapists build a practice that fits their specific interests and skills.
What skills will make me good at this work?
You’ll need to be a great communicator, a creative problem-solver, and a strong leader. Being good at research and understanding data is super helpful to prove what programs work. Most importantly, you need passion, patience, and the ability to bring different kinds of people together to work for a common goal.
How do I start exploring if this career is right for me?
Start by taking psychology and science classes in high school. Read books or watch documentaries about brain and behavior science. In college, major in psychology and get involved with a professor’s research lab—this is the best way to see what the work is really like. Try to meet with a research psychologist for an informational interview to ask about their daily life. Most of all, stay curious and keep asking questions about the world around you!
