2 September, 2025
Reviewed by: Aimee Adams, Visiting Assistant Professor
According to McKinsey & Company study, 70% of professionals say that their purpose is defined by their work. In the health and education services industries, also known as the helping professions, this sense of purpose goes beyond company missions: it is infused into daily work that directly supports individuals, families and communities.
One option for professionals whose ultimate goal is to help people is to become a therapist, more specifically, a licensed professional counselor (LPC). The LPC credential is required to practice independently in Pennsylvania, but the specific credential and title will vary from state to state.
Becoming a therapist comes along with significant responsibilities, so aspiring LPCs need to complete advanced education and clinical experience to ensure that they can support patients effectively and appropriately.
Demand for mental health professionals, including therapists, is rapidly expanding. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18% through 2032.
What Is a Therapist?
A therapist is any mental health professional who is trained to provide treatment services for clients’ mental health situations. “Therapist” is a broad term that encompasses a range of professionals, such as counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists and certain social workers.
LPC vs. LMHC vs. LCSW: What’s the Difference?
Professional therapists can have a variety of different credentials and titles. These licensed professionals operate in various roles, but they have considerable similarities and differences:
- Licensed professional counselors provide mental health services focusing on behavioral, emotional and mental concerns in a variety of healthcare settings. They have many opportunities to specialize their work.
- Licensed mental health counselors have very similar roles and responsibilities to LPCs. The difference largely depends on what state you live in, with some states using the term LPC and some using LMHC.
- Licensed clinical social workers also work on counseling, evaluation and interventions related to mental health. They may also take on additional responsibilities related to social work, including case management and resource support.
The state of Pennsylvania utilizes the title licensed professional counselor — not LMHC — to identify professional counselors who are licensed to practice independently.
What Does a Therapist Do?
The core work of a therapist is to provide counseling services, but they have additional administrative responsibilities as well. Some of their responsibilities include:
- Diagnosing clients with conditions that match their symptoms
- Evaluating the mental health needs of clients
- Using evidence-based techniques to support clients’ emotional and mental wellbeing
- Maintaining detailed, confidential notes on therapy sessions and client progress
- Communicating with other healthcare professionals on treatment strategies
What Degree Do You Need to Become a Therapist in Pennsylvania?
Given that there are many professionals who can be considered therapists, there are many degrees you can pursue to join this profession. Depending on what certification or licensure you want to pursue, you could pursue any of the following options:
- Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Social Work
- Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology
Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list, and there are other counseling and psychology degrees that prepare you for a career as a therapist.
What Are the Steps to Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania?
To become a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to undergo education, training and an exam. We’ve outlined the steps below, and you can explore more details on the Pennsylvania State Department’s website.
Step 1: Earn a Relevant Graduate Degree
The Pennsylvania Board of Professional and Occupational Affairs requires LPCs to hold a master’s or a doctoral degree that meets all of the following requirements:
- Minimum of 60 credit hours in counseling or a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling (as determined by the board)
- Completed at an accredited educational institution
- Include certain coursework topics as defined by the board
- Include clinical experience opportunities (100 hours of supervised practicum experience and 600 hours of supervised internship experience)
While you should ensure that your degree meets all of the above requirements, perhaps the most important thing to look for is a curriculum that helps students develop advanced counseling skills in listening and evidence-based intervention for the real world.
Step 2: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience
Once you’ve graduated from your degree program, you will need to work a number of hours under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor.
Master’s degree graduates need to complete 3,000 hours over the course of two to six years, while doctorate graduates need to complete 2,400 hours (1,200 hours after the degree, and 1,200 before or after the degree).
Here are some important details about meeting the clinical experience requirement:
- The clinical experience in your master’s degree program does not count toward the supervised clinical experience requirement for licensure.
- You must work 30-40 hours per week in a single setting for at least three months, or you can work at least 15 hours per week in a single setting for at least six months.
- You must meet with your supervisor for at least two hours per every 40 hours worked. One hour must be individual meetings, but the other hour can be in group settings. The PA State Board requires this to be in person, but a virtual meeting can count as “in person” if it meets certain requirements (namely HIPAA compliance).
- At least half of your hours must be directly providing therapeutic services to clients. The remaining hours can include case documentation, court testimony, advocacy or other activities that involve supporting clients.
- Your supervisor(s) must meet the qualifications for a supervisor in terms of licensure and experience (typically, either LPC licensure or a combination of other licensure, education and experience).
- You and your supervisor will maintain records of your activities and work hours.
Step 3: Pass a Recognized Licensing Examination
In order to become a licensed professional counselor, you must demonstrate that you have the knowledge and understanding of theoretical and skill-based tenets necessary to practice safely and competently as an entry-level counselor.
To demonstrate this, you must pass an exam that is recognized by the state of Pennsylvania. While the state recognizes seven acceptable examinations, most individuals choose to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE), which is given by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Students in participating master’s programs can apply for and take the required examination (e.g., NCE) prior to graduation. Students of other institutions take the exam after graduation. More information is available on the NBCC’s website.
Step 4: Complete Continuing Education Requirements and Apply for Licensure
For initial licensure, you’ll need three hours of continuing education from a board-approved course that covers recognizing and reporting child abuse.
Once all of the steps have been completed, you’re ready to apply for licensure! You’ll need to submit all of the following to the Pennsylvania Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to become a fully licensed professional counselor:
- Application
- Application fee
- Continuing education documentation
- Educational transcripts
- Exam results
- Documentation of supervised clinical experience
- Criminal history check
- Databank report
- Letter of good standing
- Resume/CV
What Types of Therapist Jobs Can I Pursue in Pennsylvania?
You can pursue a range of therapist jobs in Pennsylvania that are both fulfilling and offer competitive salaries. Remember that licensure can vary based on role, so other roles may require additional (or different) licensure and training.
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Job Description | Licensure Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Professional Counselor | $95,100 | LPCs provide counseling services to individuals and groups. Many people work with LPCs as therapists that they visit regularly. | LPC |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $105,300 | Marriage and family therapists help couples and families solve problems and mitigate hardships. | LPC, LMFT |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | $52,100 | Substance abuse counselors help individuals in active addiction or recovery, supporting their recovery and sobriety. | LPC, CADC |
| Behavioral Therapist | $57,200 | Behavioral therapists emphasize observable behaviors, helping clients achieve their goals through evidence-based techniques like CBT and DBT. | LPC |
Source: Lightcast
Frequently Asked Questions
- Individual/family services in private practices
- Outpatient mental health facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Emergency crisis centers
- Government
- Schools and universities
We highly encourage you to do research in advance of moving to another state.
For individuals looking to practice a different kind of therapy (such as psychology), you will need to gain a different kind of licensure that meets your state’s requirements.
Once you start your master’s degree, it will take a minimum of five years to become fully credentialed as an LPC: two to three years for your degree and at least two years for clinical experience and other requirements.
After completion of a master’s degree, the supervised clinical experience required for LPC licensure in PA must be completed in no less than 2 years and no more than 6 years.
Therapist is an overarching term for any clinician who treats mental health concerns. Counselors and psychologists may be called therapists colloquially.
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree, either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D., unless they gained their licensure prior to the change in licensure requirements that introduced the doctoral requirement. They tend to delve more into the science, theory and practice of psychology. They are typically better equipped to conduct testing and to treat more severe mental illnesses.
Counselors tend to work with clients on specific life challenges in a goal-oriented way. They may treat mental health issues or simply work with an individual who wants to improve their life in some way.
Blend Theory and Clinical Practice With Lehigh’s M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling
The online Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling degree from the Lehigh College of Education equips professionals with holistic skills in listening and evidence-based intervention that can truly make a difference in individuals and communities. This program is available in an online synchronous format, offering students the flexibility to learn from home while still connecting with peers and faculty in real time.
Students work through a comprehensive core curriculum that teaches them specific skills and interventions, then put those skills into practice through the clinical hours they need to become Licensed Professional Counselors in Pennsylvania. Our program also features three elective areas, allowing students to specialize in the areas where they’ll work after graduation:
- Biological and Neuropsychological Bases of Behavior
- Social Justice, Diversity, Trauma and Loss
- Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology
Learn how the College of Education is supporting its students
The Lehigh College of Education is home to top-ranked academic programs and world-class faculty. We prepare students for leadership roles in evidence-based, cross-disciplinary inquiry that shapes educational practices on the national and international level.
Learn more about the M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling by downloading a brochure, or start your application today.
To learn more about the online programs at Lehigh University College of Education and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist directly by calling (610) 215-2867 or emailing us at edprograms@lehigh.edu.