04 Psychotherapist
What is it Like Being a Psychotherapist?
On this episode of the Unboxing Careers Podcast, we unbox the career of a psychotherapist.
Guest: Yori Scott is a licensed professional counselor and multifaceted psychotherapist who offers a range of services tailored to the events present in your life.
Find out more about Yori at YoriScott.com
Listen to Yori’s podcast
What Does a Psychotherapist Do?
Psychotherapists help people cope with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress. They provide a safe space for clients to talk about their struggles and use evidence-based approaches to guide healing. A key part of the job involves diagnosing and understanding conditions with the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Therapists don’t just “give advice.” They help clients build coping skills, improve relationships, and gain new perspectives. Common tasks include:
Meeting with clients in one-on-one or group sessions
Developing treatment plans
Tracking progress through notes and records
Offering coping strategies and mindfulness techniques
Common Issues Psychotherapists Treat
Many people seek therapy during life transitions or difficult seasons. For example, during COVID, depression was one of the most common issues clients experienced. Anxiety is also very common, especially during times of change.
Some of the diagnoses and concerns discussed in this episode include:
Depression
Anxiety
Adjustment disorder when someone is struggling to cope with a major life change
School-related stress, such as test anxiety
Family challenges and deeper emotional concerns that surface at home
If you are in high school and dealing with stress, family conflict, or overwhelming emotions, this is exactly the kind of work psychotherapists help people navigate.
A Day in the Life of a Psychotherapist
Every day looks a little different, but therapists usually spend most of their time in sessions with clients. Depending on the setting, they might also collaborate with teachers, doctors, or social workers. If they’re in private practice, they also manage the business side of things, like scheduling and billing.
A typical day might include:
4–6 client sessions spread throughout the day
Writing case notes after each session
Researching therapy approaches or attending training
Handling administrative work (emails, insurance forms, scheduling)
As Yori Scott explained in the podcast, one of the biggest challenges is keeping boundaries—making sure work doesn’t take over your personal life.
How to Become a Licensed Psychotherapist
Becoming a psychotherapist requires education, supervised experience, and state licensure. In this episode, Yari Ayola Scott shares how her path began in education before transitioning fully into therapy. She first earned a degree in communication from Georgia State University, then later shifted to school counseling at Clark Atlanta University.
Her journey highlights something important for students: it is okay to pivot. Many professionals do not start exactly where they finish.
Education and Licensing Steps
If you are considering this career, here is what the path generally looks like based on the conversation:
Earn a bachelor’s degree, often in psychology, communication, or a related field.
Complete a master’s program in counseling or a related mental health field.
Accumulate supervised clinical hours under a licensed professional.
Pass your state licensure exam.
Continue supervision and ongoing professional development.
One critical lesson shared was this: if you are in college, make sure your supervisor is licensed. Your internship hours only count toward licensure if they are supervised by someone who is licensed. Asking this question early can save you years of delay.
If you are in college right now, connect with your academic advisor and clearly map out your path. Every class costs money, and every internship should move you closer to your goal.
What Is a Psychotherapist’s Day Really Like?
The day-to-day life of a psychotherapist depends on whether they work in private practice, a school, or an agency. In private practice, the schedule can be flexible but requires strong organization and discipline.
In this episode, Yari describes seeing about five clients per day. Each session lasts around 50 minutes to an hour. After each session, therapists complete documentation, which may take around 15 minutes per client. That includes:
Reviewing the presenting issue
Assessing mood and behavior changes
Writing treatment notes
Planning next steps for the following session
Therapists may also spend time researching techniques for upcoming sessions, managing scheduling, responding to emails, and marketing their services. In private practice, no boss is managing your time, so multitasking and calendar management are essential.
If you are in high school and love the idea of helping people but struggle with time management, start practicing now. Balancing school, activities, and responsibilities will build the skills you need later.
Private Practice vs. Working for an Agency
One of the biggest career decisions is whether to open a private practice or work for an organization like a school, hospital, or agency.
Private practice offers flexibility. You can:
Set your own schedule
Choose your client population
Block off time for vacations
Adjust your caseload
However, it also requires:
Managing your own marketing
Handling scheduling and billing
Staying on top of documentation
Being available for client concerns
Agency or school roles often provide:
Built-in structure
Set work hours
Established benefits and time off
Immediate job demand
Right now, there is a high demand for mental health professionals. Graduates entering the workforce may find many job opportunities available. This means you can and should ask thoughtful questions during interviews, such as:
How large is my caseload?
What is the reimbursement structure?
Is my supervisor licensed?
Will I receive hours toward licensure?
If you are in college, start practicing how to advocate for yourself now. Learning to ask smart questions can shape your entire career trajectory.
Essential Skills and Personality Traits for Psychotherapists
Being a psychotherapist is not just about having a degree. Certain traits make someone more effective and fulfilled in this role.
Skills That Matter Most
Strong listening skills
Ability to empathize without judging
Comfort with silence
Confidentiality and trustworthiness
Emotional regulation
Ability to separate work from personal life
There is a big difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy means understanding someone’s feelings and helping empower them. Sympathy can cross into pity, which is not helpful in therapy. Therapists must stay emotionally steady so they can guide clients effectively.
If you are someone who absorbs other people’s emotions deeply and struggles to separate from them, you may need to build strong coping and boundary skills. Without them, burnout is likely.
Rewards and Challenges of the Profession
Like any career, psychotherapy comes with highs and lows. Many therapists say the most rewarding part is seeing clients grow and heal. But it also requires managing your own well-being.
Rewards include:
Helping clients make breakthroughs and improve their lives
Working in a meaningful and impactful profession
Opportunities to specialize (trauma, family therapy, child counseling)
Flexibility in private practice
Challenges include:
Emotional fatigue from hearing difficult stories
Balancing heavy caseloads
Business and paperwork responsibilities (especially in private practice)
Public misconceptions (people sometimes assume therapists are available 24/7)
Misconceptions About Therapists
Therapists often face myths about their work. One big misconception is that they’re always analyzing people or that they “have it all figured out.” In reality:
Therapists are human, and face struggles too
Their role is not to “fix” people but to guide them toward healthier coping tools
Therapy is a collaborative process, not one-sided advice
Final Thoughts for Students Considering Psychotherapy
If you are in high school and people naturally come to you for advice, that might be a clue. Pay attention to how you feel when someone shares something vulnerable. Are you comfortable listening? Can you stay calm? Can you be nonjudgmental?
If you are in college, use your time wisely. Build strong communication skills, connect with licensed supervisors, and think five to ten years ahead when making decisions.
Psychotherapy is meaningful, demanding, and deeply impactful work. If you are willing to grow emotionally, stay organized, and continuously learn, this career can allow you to change lives, including your own.
Before you choose any career, ask yourself not only what you want to do, but who you want to become in the process. If helping people heal speaks to you, this path may be worth exploring.
Psychotherapy Career at a Glance:
Psychotherapists help people with various presenting issues and use the DSM to diagnose conditions.
Common issues that psychotherapists work with include depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders.
Yori Scott's career path involved a desire to help people, starting with education and transitioning to private practice.
The day-to-day of a psychotherapist includes consultations, sessions, notes, and research.
In private practice, work-life balance requires structure and the ability to multitask.
High school students interested in therapy should focus on communication skills, empathy, and being nonjudgmental.
College students should connect with advisors to ensure their coursework aligns with their career goals. Self-reflection and seeking guidance from mentors are crucial when entering the counseling field.
It's important to pivot if a career path doesn't align with one's goals.
When entering the workforce as a counselor, ask questions about work-life balance, caseload, and reimbursement rates.
Therapists need to be able to separate their work from their personal lives to avoid burnout.
There is a high demand for therapists, and it's important to provide access to affordable therapy.
Misconceptions about therapists include providing free advice outside of work and having perfect personal lives.
Empathy, understanding, and effective interventions are key components of therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Psychotherapist
How long does it take to become a licensed psychotherapist?
Becoming licensed typically requires a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, supervised clinical hours, and passing a state exam. The supervised hours must be completed under a licensed professional, which can significantly impact how long the process takes.
What degree do you need to become a psychotherapist?
Most psychotherapists earn a master’s degree in counseling or a related mental health field. Undergraduate degrees may vary, but often include psychology, communication, or human services.
Can you open a private practice right after graduation?
No, you must complete the required supervised hours and pass your state licensing exam first. Once licensed, you can choose to open a private practice or work within an organization.
What personality traits are important for a psychotherapist?
Strong listening skills, empathy without judgment, confidentiality, emotional regulation, and the ability to separate work from personal life are essential. Without healthy boundaries, burnout is common.
Interested in other Healthcare and Mental Health careers?
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