Not all mental health careers require being “licensed”; however, professional therapists and counselors are licensed, graduate-level providers that have training in the treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.
Typically, licensure to become a mental health provider (therapist or counselor) requires a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a mental health-related field, a certain number of supervised clinical hours, and the passing of state and national licensing exams. Sometimes, an additional internship and post-doctoral fellowship are required.
The specific requirements for licensure can vary tremendously, often depending on the field of study (e.g., social work, mental health counseling, or clinical/counseling psychology) and the state in which you intend to practice.
For more state-specific information about licensing requirements, click here: https://www.psychologist-license.com/articles/psychologist-licensure.html