The average age of therapists today
The average age of therapists varies depending on the type of therapy they specialize in as well as where they are located in the world. Much like going to cosmetology school, therapists can always expand their education and add on to their degree and gain broader certifications. However, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2018, the average age of licensed psychologists in the United States is fifty-two years old but many start their careers in their early thirties. But according to this study, it would suggest that the majority of therapists are in their fifties or older.
There are several reasons for this trend that we are seeing. Firstly, becoming a licensed therapist requires extensive education and training, which often takes years to accomplish. Thus, for young adults entering higher education, it often takes time to discover their passions and career path, which in turn plays a part in most therapists being older by the time they start their practice. Another competing fact is that therapists often pursue advanced degrees and certifications, which add several more years to their training meaning most start in their thirties to forties.
Additionally, the demand for therapy services has increased in recent years, which has led to a shortage of trained therapists around the United States. This has prompted many older individuals to enter the field as second-career professionals and re-engage in therapeutic practice. Through the pandemic, the need for good therapists has increased, which has helped encourage those who are passionate about counseling to get trained and use their extra free time to become licensed workers.
Despite the aging workforce, there are also many young and upcoming therapists who are entering the field in recent years. These individuals bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the field of therapy, which can be beneficial to clients and the industry as a whole. Through the hardship of the pandemic, there has been an increase of teletherapy services which has made it possible to receive that one on one professional help from the safety and comfort of your home.
It is worth noting that age should not be the sole factor in determining the quality of a therapist, as becoming licensed takes dedication and years of intentional training. Experience and training are important, but so are empathy, communication skills, and a willingness to adapt to individual client needs also play a huge role in how one connects with their therapist, and this is dependent upon individuals, not age. Ultimately, the most important thing is finding a therapist who is the right fit for you, regardless of their age but rather how they are able to help you find the healing, help, and strategies you’re searching for.
Reasons why we are seeing more therapist between the ages of 30-40:
- Education and training: Many therapists require several years of education and training before becoming licensed, which can take up a significant portion of their twenties and bleed into their early thirties.
- Life experience: Therapists who are slightly older may have more life experience to draw upon both in their personal lives and in their work with clients to best help assist those whom they are helping. For example, a therapist for teens who has worked with many in their career.
- Stability: By the time therapists reach their thirties and forties often have established a more stable personal and professional lives, which can help them better manage the demands of their work helping them assist clients more officially.
- Maturity: Therapists who are slightly older may be seen as more mature and confident, which can be reassuring to clients who are seeking help, though this should not disqualify younger therapists, it does play a role in how comfortable someone might be when seeking professional help.
- Career changes: Some therapists may have pursued a different career earlier in life before deciding to become a therapist, which could explain why they may be older when starting their career as a licensed therapist.
Therefore, having a younger versus an older therapist can have a significant impact on outcomes you experience through therapy. First, older therapists typically have more life experience than younger therapists, which can help them provide a broader perspective on their situations. This can be an advantage in therapy, as they may have more insight when it comes to difficult life experiences but does not impact the empathy one can have, because having empathy for others is not dependent upon your age. On the other hand, younger therapists may be more in touch with current cultural trends and may better understand the unique challenges faced by the younger generations and more seamlessly speak into these topics.
Communication styles can vary greatly between younger and older therapists as well, which can actually help you decide which therapist to choose when you are looking for help. Younger therapists may use more informal language and be more open to using technology in therapy, while older therapists may have a more traditional approach to communication and prefer face-to-face interactions which can hinder your options for therapy.
Younger therapists may be more likely to use evidence-based treatments and stay up-to-date with the latest research, while older therapists may have a more established treatment approach that has worked well for them over the years, both are good but simply provide different strategies to helping their clients. Another difference to consider is that older therapists may have personal biases based on their life experiences, which can impact how they approach their clients’ problems and how they go about helping you. Yet, younger therapists may be more open-minded and have fewer personal biases as they use their training to assist you. Lastly, younger therapists may have more recent education and training, which can also impact their approach to therapy as it will be the most up to date on lately trends and discoveries. However, older therapists may have more experience working with a variety of clients and conditions which give them a time advantage .
In conclusion, both younger and older therapists can be effective in helping clients achieve their therapeutic goals and find greater healing. Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a therapist is finding someone who is a good fit for you, your unique needs, and someone who you feel a connection with. Therefore, even though the average age of therapists is in their fifties, this does not mean that older therapists are necessarily better or more qualified than younger therapists and there are pros and cons to both. What matters most is finding a therapist who can help you achieve your mental health goals and find greater healing, understanding, and freedom in your own personal life.
