What are the most common degrees I can consider when becoming a therapist?

Let us break it down for you! Below are the most common degrees. Scroll to learn about each of them including tips & summaries.

• Master of Family Therapy (MFT)

• Master of Social Work (MSW)

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

A Master of Family Therapy (MFT) degree is a graduate program focused on training individuals to become skilled therapists who work with families and couples to improve their relationships and resolve conflicts. A MFT views the client through a family systems lens. The curriculum typically includes courses in psychology, counseling techniques, and family dynamics, emphasizing a holistic approach to mental health. This degree prepares you for licensure and practice in a variety of settings, including but not limited to private practices, mental health clinics, and hospitals.

“This degree is best suited for someone who wants to avoid lengthy schooling and knows they want to do (any type of) direct therapy and even better for those who know they want to work with families and couples.”

A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a graduate program focused on addressing the needs of individuals, families, and communities through direct therapy practice, advocacy, and policy work. An MSW views the client through a social justice perspective and approaches interventions with a person-in-environment lens. The curriculum typically includes courses in human behavior, social policy, research methods, clinical practice, and community organization. This degree prepares you for licensure and practice in a variety of settings including but not limited to schools, hospitals, non-profit organizations, mental health clinics, and government agencies. You can also have a private practice. 

Within the program, you can have a micro or macro focus. Micro social work is centered on direct practice with individuals and families, providing therapy, counseling, and support to help them overcome personal challenges. In contrast, macro social work focuses on large-scale social issues and systemic change, working to influence policies, advocate for social justice, and develop programs that impact communities and societies as a whole. This can involve roles in policy analysis, community organizing, and management within social service organizations. Both micro and macro social work are essential, complementing each other to address social issues from both individual and systemic perspectives.

“This degree is great for people who want to avoid lengthy schooling and work in community mental health, policy change or non profits because of it’s strong emphasis on social justice. However, you can equally pursue direct therapy. It leaves the door open for both and gives you a larger job opportunity scope than LPCC or MFT. Also within the degree you can specialize.”

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) degree is a graduate program focused on training individuals to provide mental health counseling and support to individuals, couples, and groups. An LPC views the client through a developmental and wellness lens, emphasizing personal growth and mental health. The curriculum typically includes courses in counseling theories, techniques, human development, psychopathology, and ethics. This degree prepares you for licensure and practice in a variety of settings including but not limited to private practices, community mental health centers, hospitals, and educational institutions.

“This degree is best suited for someone who wants to avoid lengthy schooling and knows they want to do (any type of) direct therapy. This degree holds more or less popularity depending on the state.”

A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree is a graduate program focused on training individuals to become clinical psychologists who can diagnose and treat mental health disorders. A PsyD views the client through a clinical and evidence-based lens, emphasizing the application of psychological research to therapy and assessment. PsyDs also administer and analyze psychological tests, provide crisis intervention, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide thorough care to clients.The curriculum typically includes courses in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, psychopathology, ethics, and research methods. This degree prepares you for licensure and practice in a variety of settings including but not limited to private practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and academic or research institutions.

“With this degree you will be a therapist but can also do psychological testing and you will get the title “Doctor,” but it comes at the cost of time as the degree takes longer than a MFT, MSW or LPC. While Research is an emphasis, it is a little less than a PhD program. Learn more here.”

A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree is a graduate program focused on training individuals to become clinical psychologists who can diagnose and treat mental health disorders. A PsyD views the client through a clinical and evidence-based lens, emphasizing the application of psychological research to therapy and assessment. PsyDs also administer and analyze psychological tests, provide crisis intervention, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide thorough care to clients.The curriculum typically includes courses in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, psychopathology, ethics, and research methods. This degree prepares you for licensure and practice in a variety of settings including but not limited to private practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and academic or research institutions.

“What is great about this degree is that you will be a therapist and can also do psychological testing, academic research as well academia so lots of opportunities. These programs have a heavier research emphasis and a dissertation compared to other degrees. Some PhDs are fully funded for students thus making them more competitive. Good news, you will get the title “Doctor,” but it comes at the cost of time as it takes longer than a MFT, MSW or LPC.”