The world of Psychology and the careers that surround it are vast. There are so many different avenues you could pursue, and one of them is being a mental health therapist. But is it worth becoming a mental health therapist? Look, being a mental health therapist can be rewarding, but it’s not all life-changing breakthroughs and happy clients.
What are the pros of being a mental health therapist?
Not only do mental health therapists do a lot of good for individuals and society, but doing the job has a lot of positive aspects too.
- It gives a lot of job satisfaction
You could be very successful at a job, but does that really matter if it doesn’t feel rewarding? The role of a mental health therapist generally pays quite well, but more than that, it really leaves you feeling that every day you do your job, you’re helping people work through their problems, and this contributes to bettering the world around you.
- It offers a lot of flexibility
Some people love routine and doing the same thing at the same time every day, but if you’re after a job that offers a lot of flexibility, then you’ll enjoy being a mental health therapist. Whether you prefer to work mornings or evenings, full-time or part-time, when you’re a mental health therapist, you can arrange your meetings to suit your life.
- There are a lot of job opportunities
There are many different job opportunities available to those who work as mental health therapists, and this allows you to work in various settings. It all depends on what you feel called to. Whether you want to work with those in the business sector or patients in a hospital, there’s no limit to where you could find a job. You could even start your own practice and not have to worry about working for a boss.
- You work with a variety of different people
In line with working in a variety of settings, you’ll also be able to work with lots of different people from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you feel called to work with kids, the elderly or working professionals, it all depends on you. This also means you get to work with people from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, as well as with a range of different mental health problems. So this position does require you to be very open-minded and tolerant.
What are the cons of being a mental health therapist?
As much as being a mental health therapist is a great job that comes with a lot of pros, realistically, there are a few cons that you need to be aware of too.
- Your work and schedule can be inconsistent
While you may thrive with working on a flexible schedule, this also means that work can be inconsistent or unpredictable. At the end of the day, you need to earn a living, and sometimes your clients may need you to be on call at any hour of the day, especially if they’re going through a great deal of stress or trauma.
- It can be quite stressful
Every job comes with its own stressors, but as a mental health therapist, you’ll be helping a lot of stressed individuals work through their issues. Even if you’re good at managing your own stress, you may be faced with some situations that could leave you feeling down after a session. It’s important as a mental health professional not to take work home with you. On another note, the inconsistent hours may also prove to be stressful because if work is slow, you might not know when your next payday will be. On the flip side, if work is busy, you might struggle to find a work-life balance, and meeting with clients could interrupt your personal life.
- It requires you to study…a lot
Becoming a therapist is not a straightforward degree where you can finish your studies and be done with it. Being a mental health professional requires you to do extensive studies, even once you’ve completed your master’s degree. For example, to become a psychiatrist may take as long as 12 years of studying, doing your medical residency and getting board certified. Therapists are also required to participate in professional development programs to stay up-to-date with the current research and techniques, as well as maintain their license. So, when you work in mental health, you never really stop learning.
Where can you study online to become a mental health therapist?
For those who are serious about pursuing a career in mental health, you’ll need to do a Master’s degree in mental health. Studying can be pretty intensive, but thankfully, you can do it all online, which offers a lot of flexibility and allows you to get a good work-study-life balance. If you want to do your Master of Mental Health online, here’s a helpful page from Edith Cowan University. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about doing this degree online, including the fee structure, course outline, and so much more.
Final Thoughts
Being a mental health therapist puts you on the frontline of helping people overcome issues that are crippling their lives and society as a whole. Pursuing this career is a noble one, but it’s not an easy one, which is why it’s important to consider the pros and cons that come with the title. Once you’ve analysed these points, you should have a sober understanding of what you’re getting yourself into. So, are you ready to become a mental health therapist?
