Dedicating your life to helping others is a rewarding journey, and becoming a therapist or counselor is a great way to fulfill your purpose. However, you must have a strong desire to support emotional well-being and be prepared for continuous education, starting with earning a degree in psychology, counseling, or social work. Licensure and certification ensure that therapists meet ethical and professional standards.

At the start of your journey, you’ll focus on how to become a mental health counselor in California, while later, during your career as a therapist or counselor, you’ll commit to lifelong learning, adapting to the evolving needs of your clients.

The Differences Between a Therapist and a Counselor

The roles of a therapist and a counselor are often interchangeable; however, there are subtle differences between the two.

Counselor – Typically focuses on specific issues or life challenges, such as career decisions, relationship struggles, or short-term emotional concerns. May have a master’s degree in counseling.

Therapist – Often explores deeper psychological patterns, past trauma, and mental health conditions over a longer period. May hold broader qualifications and offer more in-depth treatment, sometimes using specialized techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Both roles aim to support emotional well-being, but the scope, depth, and methods they use can vary depending on the client’s needs and goals.

What Do You Need To Be A Therapist In California?

To become a qualified mental health therapist you must meet specific educational, experiential, and examination requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Outlined below are the requirements to be a therapist in California.

1. Complete Education

Earn a master’s or doctoral degree in the following:

• LPCC: A 60-semester-unit master’s degree in counseling or psychotherapy.
• LMFT: A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, or clinical psychology.
• LCSW: A master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work.

2. Register as an Associate

Apply to the BBS for associate registration to begin accruing supervised experience:

• LPCC: Register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC).
• LMFT: Register as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT).
• LCSW: Register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW).

You will be required to submit your fingerprints for a criminal background check and complete a course in California Law and Ethics. ​

3. Accumulate Supervised Experience

Complete 3,000 hours of clinical experience over a minimum of two years while working under the supervision of a licensed professional that has been approved by the BBS. Keep detailed records of your supervised hours, and include the types of activities you performed.

4. Pass Required Examinations

While you’re registered as an associate, the California Law and Ethics Exam must be taken each year and must be passed before applying for full licensure:

• LPCC: Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
• LMFT: Pass the LMFT Clinical Exam.
• LCSW: Pass the LCSW Clinical Exam. ​

5. Apply for Licensure

Once all of the above has been completed, you can submit your application, along with fees, for licensure to the BBS. Once approved, you will be granted a license to practice independently in California.

Before applying, you should prepare yourself for how long it takes to become a therapist in California as it can typically take about 6 to 8 years. A Bachelor’s degree will take 4 years to achieve, while a master’s degree can be obtained in 2-3 years. In addition, 3000 hours of supervised clinical work needs to take place, which can usually take 2 to 4 years, depending on whether you work full-time or part-time. Finally, the required exams can take several months to complete. If you are dedicated and work full-time, you can become licensed in about 6 years.

How to Become a Licensed Counselor in California

In California you cannot become a licensed professional counselor without a degree. To work as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker a master’s degree in a related field is required by law.

However, if you’re wondering how to become a counselor without a degree you can focus on counseling-related roles such as peer support specialists, substance abuse counselors, life coaches, and behavioral technicians.

Substance abuse counselors, for example, can sometimes start working with just a high school diploma if they have earned a state-approved counseling certification and completed supervised experience and training hours.

Continue Your Education With Zur Institute

As a mental health professional, it is essential to continue your education to stay current with evolving research, ethical standards, and treatment methods. At Zur Institute our CE courses are designed to enhance your ability to provide effective, evidence-based care while addressing diverse client needs. With 28 years in the business of mental health, we can provide the very best service allowing you to grow professionally and build resilience in such a demanding field.

So if you’re a psychologist or a therapist needing assistance, contact us today and let us guide you to a brighter future.