Accessing mental health care is no longer limited to attending appointments in person. Thanks to the development of secure video technology and online communication platforms, therapists today have the option to meet with clients online and conduct safe remote therapy sessions.
The mental health professionals who are properly qualified and legally authorized to provide mental health counseling services in this format are commonly referred to as telehealth therapists.
If the idea of providing therapy remotely piques your interest and you want to learn more about how to become a telehealth therapist, the guide below may be a great starting point.
In it, we will go into detail about how telehealth therapy works, explain what qualifications aspiring telehealth therapists must meet to become eligible for this type of practice, and break down the entire education and licensure process step by step.
Telehealth Therapists: General Overview
Telehealth therapists are licensed mental health professionals who provide counseling and therapy services to clients through remote communication technologies.
Rather than meeting with clients in the same physical room, these therapists conduct their scheduled therapy sessions through live video calls, audio communication, or other secure digital formats permitted by the laws and professional standards that apply to their practice.
During a typical telehealth therapy session, the therapist will use the same clinical knowledge, professional judgment, evidence-based methods, and counseling techniques used in traditional therapy, but apply them while communicating with the client from a separate physical location.
Just because the therapist and client are not physically present in the same room does not mean that the therapeutic process becomes less structured or clinically meaningful.
Telehealth therapy has the same fundamental purpose of encouraging clients to discuss their concerns openly, assessing their mental health needs, and helping them develop healthier ways of responding to the difficulties they face.
Depending on their educational background and field of specialty, telehealth therapists may support clients dealing with specific conditions and life concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, substance use, relationship concerns, family conflict, behavioral difficulties, stress, or other mental health concerns that can be treated appropriately through remote therapy.
From an education and licensure standpoint, becoming a telehealth therapist is largely similar to becoming a general therapist who provides services in person, though with a few additional steps aimed at protecting client privacy and ensuring that remote sessions remain safe and professionally appropriate.
We will cover the legal, ethical, technical, and privacy concerns associated with treating clients over the internet in more detail in our guide below.
Types of Therapists Who Can Conduct Therapy Sessions Remotely
As we just mentioned, telehealth therapy is not a standalone profession, and professionals from several clinical disciplines can qualify to conduct therapy sessions remotely.
The most important part of the qualification process for telehealth therapy is meeting the requirements for independent clinical therapy practice and securing the professional therapist license to get the legal authority to provide mental health treatment.
This means that there are several types of therapists who can complete these requirements and meet the eligibility criteria for providing telehealth therapy, including:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), who help clients address emotional difficulties, mental health concerns, behavioral patterns, and personal challenges through counseling.
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), who can provide therapy while also considering the client’s family situation, social environment, support system, and access to helpful resources.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), who focus on relationship patterns, family dynamics, communication problems, and concerns affecting couples and families.
- Licensed Clinical Psychologists (LCPs), who assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders through psychotherapy and other psychological interventions supported by their training.
- Psychiatrists (MDs or DOs), who are qualified to diagnose mental health disorders, provide psychotherapy, and prescribe medications when pharmacological treatment is appropriate
We want to point out that in this guide, we will only explain how to qualify for telehealth therapy through the LPC, LCSW, and LMFT career tracks, as they follow a similar qualification structure that requires earning a master’s degree level of education.
The psychologist and psychiatrist career tracks require either doctoral education in psychology or a medical degree, and for that reason, they will not be covered in our guide.
Professional Work Settings Where Telehealth Therapists May Practice
Considering that many mental health organizations now incorporate remote sessions into their existing services, the expertise of a skilled telehealth therapist can prove to be valuable in a wide range of professional work settings and clinical environments, including:
- Telehealth platforms, where therapists provide counseling and therapy services to clients who specifically prefer or require remote mental health care
- Private practices, where telehealth therapists may work independently or as part of a group practice and provide scheduled therapy sessions to clients through secure online platforms
- Mental health clinics, where telehealth therapists may conduct virtual appointments as part of a broader outpatient counseling or behavioral health program.
- Hospitals and healthcare systems, where mental health professionals may support patients remotely as part of an integrated medical or behavioral health care team
- Community mental health centers, where telehealth therapists may provide accessible counseling services to clients who face transportation, distance, mobility, or scheduling barriers
- Schools, colleges, and universities, where licensed counselors may provide remote mental health support to students through institutionally operated counseling programs
- Employee assistance programs, where telehealth counselors may provide short-term support, assessments, referrals, or workplace-related mental health services to eligible employees
Although telehealth therapists have many professional work settings to choose from, they always have to follow the applicable legal and ethical standards related to their profession, and provide remote services within the limits of their license, training, and competence.
Becoming a Telehealth Therapist: Summary of Qualifications
Having explored the professional role of telehealth therapists in more detail, we can now move on to outlining the key qualifications aspiring telehealth therapists need to meet before they can begin treating clients remotely.
While the exact requirements may vary depending on their state and the specific type of license they’re pursuing, the qualification process generally includes:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Completing a master’s degree program in a qualifying mental health discipline
- Accumulating the required hours of supervised clinical experience
- Achieving a passing score on the therapist licensing examinations
- Securing a professional therapist license
- Completing additional training focused on telehealth laws, ethics, and technology
- Meeting the legal, privacy, and ethical standards for treating clients remotely
In other words, the qualification process requires aspiring telehealth therapists to first secure a professional therapist license and then complete the additional preparation needed to provide therapy remotely in a safe, private, and legally compliant manner.
How to Become a Telehealth Therapist: Step by Step
Now that we have a better idea of what it takes to become a telehealth therapist, we can move on to exploring the academic pathway, the licensing process, and the preparation required for providing therapy remotely, one step at a time.
Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program Related to Behavioral Health
The first step toward becoming a telehealth therapist is enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university, where students can begin building the academic foundation they will rely on throughout the later stages of their education.
At this point in their training, aspiring telehealth therapists are not required to choose one particular major or decide exactly which professional therapist license they will pursue. However, it is a good idea for them to use their undergraduate years to study subjects that can introduce them to ideas closely connected to mental health, human behavior, communication, and client support.
Some of the undergraduate majors that can provide this foundation and introduce students to relevant subject matter include psychology, social work, sociology, counseling, human services, behavioral science, and human development.
By studying these fields, undergraduates can develop a stronger understanding of emotional development, relationships, social influences, and mental health, all of which are valuable areas of foundational knowledge for future therapists.
Earn a Master’s Degree in a Qualifying Mental Health Discipline
After earning their bachelor’s degrees, aspiring telehealth therapists need to continue their studies at the graduate level by enrolling in a master’s degree program.
However, unlike undergraduate school, where they had the flexibility to explore a broader range of subjects, during the graduate stage of their therapist education, students must choose a program that will qualify them to pursue professional licensure in their chosen mental health discipline:
- Future LPCs need to complete a qualifying graduate program in counseling or clinical mental health counseling
- Future LCSWs need to earn a Master of Social Work from an accredited social work program
- Future LMFTs need to complete a graduate program in marriage and family therapy or another closely related field that meets their state’s educational requirements
In addition to being connected to a specific license path, graduate education is also much more focused on clinical knowledge and practical counseling skills than undergraduate study.
During this phase of their education, therapist students complete advanced coursework in subjects directly related to client work, such as client assessment, mental health diagnosis, counseling theories, treatment planning, and other areas directly connected to professional mental health practice.
What’s more, most qualifying graduate programs for therapists also include a supervised practicum, internship, or clinical field placement, where students can begin applying what they learn in real client-facing settings for the first time in their careers.
Accumulate the Supervised Experience Hours Required for Licensure
Following their graduation, aspiring therapists can transition from academic preparation into supervised professional practice. Depending on the state and the license they are pursuing, they may begin accumulating the required experience hours immediately or first need to obtain an associate or provisional credential or pass an initial licensing exam.
In any case, once they receive the required authorization, graduates can start providing counseling services under the guidance of a board-approved supervisor.
During this period, they may conduct therapy sessions, assess client concerns, participate in treatment planning, maintain clinical documentation, and apply the counseling methods they developed throughout graduate school. All the while, their supervisor reviews their work, provides constructive feedback, and helps them improve their clinical judgment.
The exact number of experience hours they need to accumulate to qualify also varies by state and license type, though most therapist licensure tracks require several thousand hours of supervised clinical experience, including direct client contact, completed over a period of at least two years.
Pass the National and State Therapist Licensing Exams
Once they accumulate the supervised experience hours required for licensure, aspiring telehealth therapists have officially completed the learning stage of the qualification process and can move forward to the testing phase, which includes taking the therapist licensing exams.
We should point out that every therapist license has a different national examination designed to assess the professional knowledge and clinical judgment required for that particular area of practice. For this reason, candidates should take the examination that corresponds to their chosen career track:
- LPC candidates generally need to pass the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
- LCSW candidates generally need to pass the ASWB Clinical Examination
- LMFT candidates generally need to pass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination
In addition to passing the national exams, the state requirements in some states also mandate that therapist candidates also need to pass a jurisprudence, law, rules, or ethics assessment focused on the regulations that govern professional practice within that jurisdiction.
While these assessments are not administered nationwide, in the states that do require them, they are considered a mandatory requirement for licensure.
Apply for a Professional Therapist License With the State Board
Candidates who passed the necessary therapist examinations can relish the fact that they’ve finished the complete qualification process and apply for a professional therapist license through the state board that regulates their profession.
To complete this step, they need to submit a formal application and provide documentation that verifies their graduate education, supervised experience, examination results, and any other qualifications required by the licensing authority.
In addition, many states also require candidates to complete a criminal background check, which allows the licensing board to identify any disqualifying offenses that could affect their eligibility.
Once the licensing board reviews the application and confirms that all requirements have been satisfied, it can issue the professional license that authorizes the candidate to provide therapy independently within the scope of their profession.
Start Practicing as a Licensed Mental Health Professional
The moment candidates receive their professional license marks the end of the formal therapist qualification process and allows them to begin providing counseling and therapy services without mandatory supervision.
With a professional license, therapists have the legal authority to manage their own caseloads, conduct therapy sessions, assess client concerns, develop treatment plans, maintain clinical records, monitor client progress, and make independent clinical decisions within the scope of their license.
This means that they can start looking for job opportunities in private practices, mental health clinics, hospitals, community organizations, behavioral health programs, or other professional environments where mental health services are provided.
However, even though they now meet the requirements for practicing therapy in traditional in-person settings, newly licensed professionals still need to complete a few additional steps before they are fully prepared to work as telehealth therapists.
Complete an Advanced Training Program Focused on Telehealth
Even though there is no universal telehealth degree or national certification required for providing remote therapy, licensed mental health professionals still need to understand the practical differences between in-person counseling and online treatment.
For this reason, the natural first step for therapists who want to start practicing remotely would be to complete an advanced training or continuing education program focused on the distinct demands of providing mental health treatment online.
This type of training may be offered by professional associations, colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, specialized telehealth education companies, and approved continuing education providers.
The course content in these programs may cover numerous subjects, such as telehealth laws and ethics, cross-state practice rules, informed consent, client privacy and confidentiality, secure technology, remote clinical techniques, documentation, crisis response, and emergency planning.
Take Care of the Legal, Technical, and Administrative Setup
In addition to preparing their clinical skills for remote work, aspiring telehealth therapists should also prepare their practice for treating clients over the internet. This includes addressing the legal, technical, administrative, privacy, and safety concerns associated with providing therapy remotely.
Some of the most important matters they need to address to make sure their practice is ready for remote service delivery include:
- Confirm that their license authorizes them to treat people located in the states where services will be provided
- Understand which legal, ethical, and organizational rules apply to their particular telehealth role
- Prepare a private workspace, reliable internet connection, suitable equipment, and a backup plan for technical disruptions
- Learn how to use the approved video, communication, documentation, and recordkeeping systems securely
Each of these preparations is aimed at ensuring that the remote therapy sessions can proceed without unnecessary disruptions and the clients can receive the support they need in a virtual environment that is safe, private, and professionally appropriate.
Join a Telehealth Platform or Open Your Own Practice
Once they are satisfied that their practice meets all the requirements for providing therapy remotely, telehealth therapists can start thinking about their work arrangement. More specifically, they can choose whether to join an established telehealth platform or start their own private telehealth practice.
Each of these options comes with its own advantages and limitations.
Joining a telehealth platform allows therapists to work within an existing system that may connect them with prospective clients and provide support with scheduling, communication, billing, documentation, and other administrative tasks.
However, it also requires them to meet the platform’s eligibility criteria and follow its clinical and operational policies.
Opening an independent practice, on the other hand, can give them greater control over their schedules, caseloads, fees, treatment policies, and choice of technology, but comes with the added responsibilities and expenses of running a fully independent private practice.
In the end, it is up to each individual to decide which arrangement better reflects the level of independence, control, and organizational support they prefer.
Start Treating Your Clients Through Remote Therapy Sessions
After completing the necessary coursework and establishing the proper systems for providing therapy remotely, therapists are finally ready to begin conducting telehealth sessions.
During their first few appointments, telehealth therapists should take note of the differences and challenges they encounter. Treating clients online and in an office can feel considerably different, so they need to make sure they communicate clearly and remain responsive to each person’s needs.
Over time, as they gain more experience with remote therapy, they can start noticing recurring patterns and adjust their approach accordingly. Consulting with experienced colleagues and supervisors can also be a helpful practice that will help them develop their skills and strengthen their telehealth practice over time.
Closing Thoughts
Therapy gives people a structured space to understand their concerns, develop healthier responses, and make meaningful changes in their lives. Telehealth therapy extends that support beyond the traditional office by making professional care available through secure remote communication.
Becoming a telehealth therapist requires completing the standard licensing process and preparing to deliver services safely and effectively online. With the right training, judgment, and commitment, therapists can build a rewarding practice that reaches people wherever they are.
FAQs
What is a telehealth therapist?
A telehealth therapist is a licensed mental health professional who has the necessary qualifications and legal authorization to provide safe, private, and effective mental health counseling services remotely through secure video, audio, or other approved communication technologies.
How long does it take to become a telehealth therapist?
Becoming a telehealth therapist can take around eight to eleven years. This timeframe includes about four years of undergraduate education, two to three years of graduate school, and roughly two to four years of supervised clinical experience. Licensing exams, application processing, telehealth training, and practice setup may extend the timeline further.
What’s the difference between a counselor and a therapist?
The difference between a counselor and a therapist is mainly a matter of professional classification.
The term therapist is more of an umbrella term that refers to several types of mental health professionals who provide therapy, including counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists.
The term counselor, however, is typically used to describe a specific type of therapist, an LPC, who provides counseling services to help clients address mental health, emotional, behavioral, and personal concerns.