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How to Become a Therapist

A therapist is someone who helps people manage emotional and psychological issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. They listen, offer support, and use therapy techniques to guide clients toward better mental well-being.

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Working Hours35-45 hours a week
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Work Setting Remote/on-site
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Job Demand

A Day In The Life

If you were a therapist, you’d spend your day…
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Listening to clients and guiding them through their struggles

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Helping people manage their anxiety, depression, and emotional challenges

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Creating safe spaces for healing and self-discovery.

Wanna see a therapist in action? Check out this video!

Is This Career Right for Me?

According to the Holland Codes, people in this career generally possess the following traits:

R
Realistic
I
Investigative
A
Artistic
S
Social
E
Enterprising
C
Conventional

Challenges & Skills

No job is easy, but if you’ve got the right skills, you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way!

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Challenges & Skills Needed to Overcome Them

Emotional burnout from handling others’ trauma

Skills: Emotional resilience, self-care, and supervision

Managing ethical dilemmas and confidentiality

Skills: Strong ethical judgement and professionalism

Keeping up with evolving therapy techniques

Skills: Commitment to continuous learning and research skills

Working with clients from diverse backgrounds

Skills: Cultural sensitivity and strong communication skills

Balancing multiple clients and documentation

Skills: Time management and organisational skills

Sound like you? Then you might just have what it takes to tackle these challenges and thrive as a Therapist!

Career Pathway

Thinking long term? This career path shows you how you can grow your role (and salary!) in the world of therapy.

Junior Therapist / Counsellor / Associate Psychologist RM3,000–RM5,000
Senior Therapist / Registered Clinical Psychologist RM6,000–RM10,000+
Specialist / Private Practice Owner / Lecturer / Consultant RM10,000–RM20,000+

With every step, you’ll gain more skills, responsibility and opportunities. If you’re passionate about medicine, health & sciences, this career path could be your perfect match!

Global Opportunities

Pros in this field are in demand everywhere—your career could literally take you places!

Top countries hiring professionals in this field:
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United States

High demand for mental health services, strong insurance support, and growing awareness of mental wellbeing.

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Australia

Government investment in public mental health and strong demand for registered therapists and counsellors.

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United Kingdom

The National Health Service (NHS) and the private sector consistently seek therapists for mental health initiatives and school-based programmes.

We hope this guide has helped you understand what to expect and inspired you to explore a path that fits your strengths and passions. Good luck—and have fun discovering your future!

APPLY NOW FOR Sep 2025

Applications now open for Higher Education courses

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Thinking of Where to Study to Become a Therapist?