What Are the Qualifications and Certifications of Texas Psychologists?
Certifications of Texas Psychologists
There are a wide variety of careers in psychology in Texas. In fact, the state is one of the top places in the nation to work in this field. Psychologists, counselors, and social workers are a large part of the state’s employment landscape, and they can help people deal with mental health issues and improve their quality of life.
To become a professional counselor texas psychologist, you must complete an accredited, graduate-level program with a master’s degree or doctorate in counseling. Your coursework will cover the normal and abnormal behavior of humans, assessment and counseling theory, and how to provide a range of therapeutic services. You’ll also need to complete a supervised internship.
You’ll also need to take the National Counselor Exam and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam after graduation. Once you pass those, you’ll be eligible to receive a temporary license that lets you practice with clients until you earn your full license.
What Are the Qualifications and Certifications of Texas Psychologists?
In order to be licensed as a school psychologist in Texas, you must earn a doctorate in school psychology from a college or university meeting state requirements. The process can be long, as it requires a minimum of six years of formal education and an internship. If you want to pursue this path, you should check out the National Association of School Psychologists’ website for details on school psychologist education and licensure across the country.
In Texas, the LSSP credential permits school psychologists to practice in public schools. This license is offered by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and requires a graduate degree, passing scores on the LSSP examination and eligibility for certification as a National Certified School Psychologist or educational equivalent.
Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) in Texas must complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, a master’s degree with a major in counseling or a clinical social work (CST) or a doctorate in counseling. You must complete a clinical supervised internship and an approved postgraduate training program.
You must also complete the national exam to earn a LMFT license, and you’ll need to have at least 3 years of supervised experience before applying for full licensure. You’ll need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised work, including at least 1,500 hours in direct clinical services and 750 hours with couples and families.
Your salary as a therapist in Texas depends on your level of education, years of experience and the type of work you do. In 2021, the median salary for a therapist in Texas was $245,000, but that amount can vary widely depending on your location, your skills and the number of years you have been in the field.
As in most other states, licensing in Texas is managed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. There are several types of licenses available, including Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Each is regulated by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, which manages licensure and regulation in the state. The LMHC designation is the highest of the three and offers the greatest job security and income potential.