If you are interested in becoming a mental health therapist in California, this blog post is for you! Learn about the education and training requirements, as well as the licensure process.
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Educational requirements
To become a mental health therapist in California, you will need to complete a master’s degree in psychology, sociology, or another related field. You will also need to complete two years of post-graduate clinical experience. Once you have met all of these requirements, you will be eligible to take the California licensure exam.
Complete an accredited master’s degree program
To become a licensed mental health therapist in California, you must first complete an accredited master’s degree program in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field. Once you have completed your degree, you will need to pass the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) exam to become licensed. You can then apply for jobs at mental health facilities, hospitals, clinics, or private practices.
Complete an accredited internship
Mental health therapists in California must complete an accredited internship as part of their educational requirements. The internship must be at least 2,000 hours, and at least 1,000 of those must be direct client contact hours.
Licensure
To practice mental health therapy in the state of California, one must have a license from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). The BBS is the regulatory body for mental health professionals in California. There are three types of mental health licenses in California: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP).
Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
After you have completed your coursework and practicum or internship requirements, you will need to obtain a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) to become a licensed mental health counselor in California. The NCMHCE is a computer-based exam administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). It consists of ten simulated clinical counseling cases that test your ability to provide effective counseling services to clients.
To prepare for the NCMHCE, you can purchase study materials from the NBCC or enroll in a review course offered by a professional organization or educational institution. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit an application for licensure to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
Apply for a license from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
After completing an accredited master’s program in mental health counseling or a related field, individuals must complete two years (3,000 hours) of post-graduate professional experience under registered supervision. Candidates must also pass the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (CMHCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Continuing education
In order to become a licensed mental health therapist in California, you will need to complete a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. Once you have completed your degree, you will need to take the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to complete two years of post-graduate clinical work under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
Complete 36 hours of continuing education every two years
To renew your license as a mental health therapist in California, you must complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. This must include at least three hours in ethics and three hours in the cultural and linguistic competence of therapy. The remainder of your CE can be earned in any topic related to mental health therapy, such as:
-Emotional intelligence
-Grief counseling
-Bipolar disorder
-Borderline personality disorder
-Substance abuse disorders
-Child and adolescent mental health
-Trauma and PTSD
-Eating disorders
Find a job
To become a mental health therapist in California, you will need to first find a job. There are a few different ways to do this. You can search online job boards, contact your local mental health clinics, or even look in the classifieds section of your local newspaper. Once you have found a few potential job opportunities, you can then start the process of applying for the position.
Use job search engines
There are many online job search engines that can help you find open positions in your area. Simply enter your search terms (such as “mental health therapist”) and location, and you’ll be presented with a list of open positions. You can then browse through the listings and apply for any that interest you.
Some popular job search engines include Indeed, Monster, and CareerBuilder. Be sure to check out each site’s features and listings to see which is the best fit for your needs.
Use professional networking sites
Most people find jobs through networking. get acquainted with the most popular professional networking sites in your field and start connecting with people. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of the best networking sites for job seekers. You can also search for networking events in your area on Eventbrite.
