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mmalin78 · Sep 10, 2010, 08:41 AM

I want to know the fastest way to become a licensed family or social or mental health counselor in California. What are the requirements and how much will it cost and how much time will it take?

Thanks

excon · Sep 10, 2010, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by mmalin78

I want to know the fastest way to become a licensed family or social or mental health counselor in California.

Hello m:

Those are very generic terms. None of THOSE require a license. But, if you want to become psychologist or a psychiatrist, that'll take some training...

excon

dhuber · Oct 21, 2010, 04:25 PM

I know you are not in Maryland but offering this in case people in your state don't respond. I am a therapist in MD. You can not practice mental health unless you have a Master's Degree, pass a national test, have 2000 hours of experience and receive your status from the State. Schools can run about $4000 a year to $20.000 but you can get loans for that. It is better to pay a couple hundred dollars a month for loans than to do something you hate. Also unlike those making minimum wage a therapist here even right out of school makes over $35000 a year. School would take 6 years full time or do what I did. Get a job better with each degree and go part time.

Now counselors have less education and make less m0oney but still more than minimum wage. A counselor has to be supervised so they can do this with a hospital or some other entity. They have between a AA and a BA but make about $25,000. You can do these while you are going to graduate school and get some real marketable experience. This would take about 4 years. You could work at an addictions program after 2.

A license is gotten after you get all your education and your experience. The marriage and family people have their own and the addictions field has their own. But the best is the mental health license since you can do everything! I am in private practice and I don't need anyone. My business brings me in about $60000. And I have a great schedule.

Follow your heart but you can have a steady career helping people and you won't go broke getting it. You can find jobs all the way through your education you just upgrade with each degree. Hope this was helpful