Steps and qualifications to be a counsellor, psychologist or other therapy professional.
More than a dozen pathways are available to become a therapist in Australia. Counselling is the most accessible role since no degree is technically required. Becoming a psychologist, on the other hand, requires at least 6 years of dedicated education and training.
Let's examine the different types of therapists and mental health practices in Australia, identifying essential degrees and other requirements.
Steps to Become a Therapist
To become a therapist in Australia, you need to choose an occupational field such as psychology or counselling. The standard pathway is to complete a relevant bachelor degree, followed by postgraduate study, and then apply for professional registration.
Counsellor
- Gain work and life experience.
- Obtain a Diploma, Bachelor, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master of Counselling.
- Complete supervised clinical practice.
- Register with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or PACFA.
Psychologist
- Earn a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- Complete an Honours year or a fourth-year accredited program.
- Do a postgraduate course (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology).
- Complete supervised practice for registration.
Mental health professional
- Complete a relevant bachelor’s degree (e.g., Nursing, Medicine).
- Earn postgraduate qualifications in mental health.
- Complete supervised clinical work in a mental health setting.
- Obtain registration with the appropriate board (e.g., NMBA for nurses, Medical Board for psychiatrists).
Alternative therapy
- Obtain a degree in a relevant field (e.g., fine arts, music, psychology).
- Complete specialised postgraduate training in art or music therapy.
- Register with relevant professional bodies (e.g., ANZACATA for art therapists, AMTA for music therapists).
Qualifications to Become a Therapist
A career as a therapist in Australia generally requires you to gain a university degree. Counsellors often have postgraduate qualifications while psychologists must have at least a master's degree. Lerna Courses offers insights into these educational pathways and requirements.
Let's explore what it takes to become a therapist or mental health professional by occupational field.
Counsellor
Counsellors are talk therapy specialists. You don't need a particular degree but certain education pathways are recommended.
Qualifications: Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, Master of Counselling, and more.
Psychologist
Psychologists commonly conduct psychotherapy sessions with clients and perform counselling.
A bachelor degree and at least a Master of Professional Psychology are required to become a registered psychologist.
Counselling Psychologist
Psychologists can specialise in Counselling Psychology. However, relatively few psychologists do this as endorsement in Clinical Psychology confers a broader scope of practice.
Qualification: Master of Psychology (Counselling)
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health problems through evidence-based therapy. Conditions they treat could be anything from everyday stress to psychiatric disorders.
Qualifications: Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists use talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, to address emotional, behavioural, and mental health problems.
Qualifications: Degree (e.g., psychology, social work), psychotherapy training, optional registration.
Family Therapist
Family therapists treat individuals, couples, and families to resolve marriage, relational and emotional issues, and improve relationships.
Qualifications: Degree (e.g., psychology, social work), family therapy training, optional registration.
Psychoanalyst
Psychoanalysts conduct long-term, intensive therapy to uncover unconscious motivations and conflicts affecting behaviour and emotions.
Qualifications: Degree (e.g., psychology, psychiatry), extensive specialised training in psychoanalysis.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They prescribe medication, provide therapy, and manage complex psychiatric conditions.
Qualifications: Medical degree, psychiatry residency.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists help clients develop, recover, and improve skills needed for daily life. Clients have physical, sensory, or cognitive issues.
Qualifications: Bachelor or masters degree in occupational therapy, registration with OTBA.
Art Therapist
Art therapists use creative processes to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences. They work in clinical, educational, and community settings.
Qualifications: Degree (e.g., psychology, social work, fine arts), postgrad course.
Music Therapist
Music therapists use musical interventions to achieve therapeutic goals. Clients may have disabilities, mental health issues, and medical conditions.
Qualifications: Degree in music therapy, registration with AMTA.
Mental Health Nurse
Mental health nurses provide therapeutic care for patients with psychological conditions, working in places like hospitals and community health centres.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Nursing, postgraduate course in mental health nursing.
Social Worker
Social workers support individuals and families to improve well-being and resolve issues. They offer counselling, advocacy, and services.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work (Qualifying), registration with AASW.
Social Worker (Mental Health)
Mental health social workers counsel and support clients with psychological conditions. They work in settings like hospitals and community services.
Qualifications: Bachelor or masters in social work, mental health training or certification.
How Long Does it Take?
The time it takes to become a therapist varies by speciality. As a guideline, 4 to 6 years of education and training is the typical timeframe to become a therapist. Six years is just enough time to become a registered psychologist. Counsellors often complete a degree in another field before earning a qualification such as a Graduate Diploma in Counselling.
Table 1. Timeframe to become qualified
| Title | Qualifications | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Counsellor | Diploma of Counselling, Bachelor of Counselling, or Master of Counselling | 1-6 years |
| Psychologist Protected title |
Bachelor’s degree, Master of Professional Psychology, registration with PsyBA | 5-6 years |
| Counselling Psychologist Protected title |
Master of Psychology (Counselling), registration with PsyBA | 6-7 years |
| Clinical Psychologist Protected title |
Master of Psychology (Clinical), registration with PsyBA | 6-7 years |
| Psychotherapist | Degree (e.g., psychology, social work), psychotherapy training, optional registration with PACFA or ACA | 4-6 years |
| Family Therapist | Degree (e.g., psychology, social work), family therapy training, optional registration with AAFT | 4-6 years |
| Psychoanalyst | Degree (e.g., psychology, psychiatry), extensive psychoanalysis training, optional registration with psychoanalytic societies | 8-10 years |
| Psychiatrist Protected title |
Medical degree, psychiatry residency, registration with the Medical Board of Australia | 10-12 years |
| Occupational Therapist Protected title |
Bachelor or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, registration with OTBA | 4-5 years |
| Art Therapist | Degree (e.g., psychology, social work, fine arts), postgraduate art therapy qualification, registration with ANZACATA | 5-7 years |
| Music Therapist | Degree in Music Therapy, registration with AMTA | 4-6 years |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) Protected title |
Bachelor of Nursing, postgraduate mental health nursing qualification, registration with NMBA | 4-5 years |
| Social Worker Protected title |
Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work (Qualifying), registration with AASW | 4-6 years |
| Social Worker (Mental Health) Protected title |
Bachelor or Master of Social Work, mental health training or certification, registration with AASW | 4-6 years |
Protected title: A professional designation legally restricted in Australia to individuals who meet specific educational and registration requirements set by a governing body. Others are legally barred from using the title.
Duration: Typical time required to complete minimum or expected educational and training activities. For university graduates looking to change careers, the duration may be shorter due to eligibility for postgraduate courses.
Difference Between a Therapist and Counsellor
A counsellor is a type of therapist who does talk therapy to help with everyday problems like stress and relationship issues. Their training often includes diplomas or degrees with practical components in listening and guidance.
Psychologists when in the role of therapist may diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They have completed at least six years of study, including attaining postgraduate qualifications. Psychologists can handle severe psychological issues and use advanced therapeutic methods.
Counsellors typically work in community settings like schools, addressing mild to moderate issues. Psychologists administering therapy often work in clinical settings, dealing with complex mental health conditions.