Why are Careers in Therapy Booming in the United States?

Updated on March 5, 2021

The pandemic has hit us all in one way or another, whether it be due to our physical health, mental health, job loss or social isolation, there have been many negatives from the CODI-19 virus.

One thing that is apparent from all of this, increasing numbers of people are now searching online for how to become a therapist. 

In fact, RTT conducted a study to identify the state of mental health in the US during the months of the pandemic and this research showed that search interest for becoming a therapist has increased tenfold.

Why Are People Wanting To Become A Therapist? 

There is never one deciding factor as to why more people want to become a therapist, rather it is varying contributing factors that equate this.

Firstly, the last 12 months has really shed light on how important it is for us as human beings to help and care for each other. A career as a therapist can be incredibly rewarding and their role in our mental health is crucial. Without mental health aid, there are millions of people around the world who would be facing catastrophic mental damage and could even pose a risk to themselves and others.

Secondly, it is a sad truth that many have lost their jobs and more are facing job insecurity at this time. Therapists are one of the few professions that have seen a rise in demand for their services, meaning those who choose to change careers and look into becoming a psychotherapist will likely choose a stable career path with security.

Thirdly, being stuck indoors and giving us plenty of free time has led to many reflecting on their current career choices and using this new-found downtime to learn a new skill or gain qualifications for a new role, therapy being one of them.

Lastly, the barrier with locality has now been removed. With everything having moved online, it means those wanting to become a therapist are not bound to certain training centres and they can also practice from the comfort of their own home, meaning they can get that work-life balance right while in quarantine.

Why There Is Such A Demand For Therapists?

In short, this is the same reason as to why people are looking to become therapists. Those who need help aren’t just those who need someone else to do their grocery shopping for them or drop the kids at school.

In fact, the most common reason that someone needs help from another is simply because of their mental health. Social isolation can be incredibly detrimental to both physical and mental health.

Team this with many struggling to pay bills or put food on the table and the worrying thought of contracting the virus yourself, it’s no wonder that more people are experiencing mental health problems. Those who have lost their health insurance during this time can be experiencing even more stress and anxiety over this.

Many patients who were looking for a mental health professional, even before lockdown, have found that a common barrier of location has now been removed. With the success of online therapy sessions, this means that patients can access the best professional for their issue, without having to travel hundreds of miles. 

However, people do need to be wary of Instagram and other social media ‘therapists’ advertising as many are not trained to handle mental health issues and could actually do more harm than good. 

Are You Considering A Career In Therapy?

Those who are looking into this as a new career need to be aware of the following. While it may seem like a stable career at this time with great security, you must remember that this role can be very taxing on one’s own mental health.

You will be listening to many harrowing personal experiences from the client and every emotion possible within the consultation room. You need to be caring, but also strong-willed and willing to accept help yourself should you need it. 

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