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Medical & WelfareGrowingBright Outlook

Therapist

Operational-level

Also known as: Animal Assisted Therapist, Animal Therapist, Aromatherapist, Auriculotherapist

Medical & WelfareBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a therapist, you help people improve their mental and emotional well-being. You listen actively, offer guidance, and teach coping strategies to individuals, families, or groups facing various life challenges. Your work often involves holding one-on-one sessions or group meetings in settings like clinics, hospitals, or private offices. You might use conversation, activity-based approaches, or specialized techniques to help clients understand their feelings and build healthier habits. This career suits patient, empathetic people who enjoy listening and guiding others through difficult times.
TherapyCounselingMental HealthRehabilitationPsychologyHealthcareHuman ServicesPatient CareMedical Careers

A Day in the Life

You arrive at your private practice office in downtown Raleigh, the city still waking up. The waiting room is quiet as you turn on the lights, brew coffee, and settle into your own office. You open SimplePractice, your electronic health record system, to review your first client's file. Today's schedule includes individual sessions, a couples session, and later, a group meeting. You mentally prepare for the day's conversations, noting a specific CBT worksheet you plan to introduce.

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+12.6%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

3,600

per year (US)

Jobs today

56,100

in 2025 → 63,200 (2035)

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

The job outlook for therapists is strong, with rapid growth projected through 2035. Around 3,600 new job openings are expected each year, and the median annual wage is about $77,930. You can advance your career by gaining experience, specializing in a particular area of therapy, or moving into leadership roles like Therapy Services Director.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Therapy Assistant
  • Rehabilitation Technician
  • Caregiver Specialist

Where it can lead

  • Therapy Services Director
  • Senior Clinical Specialist
  • Mental Health Consultant

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will increasingly assist therapists by automating administrative tasks, providing data-driven insights for treatment planning, and offering virtual support tools for clients between sessions. While AI won't replace human empathy, it will enhance efficiency and expand access to care by augmenting therapists' capabilities and allowing them to focus more on direct patient interaction and complex cases.