Is An Addiction Therapist in High Demand in New York?

As a New York resident, if you are interested in a career as an addiction therapist, you will be happy to know that these professionals are in very high demand throughout the state. New York is a large state with a great need for qualified addiction therapists to work in many different areas, lines of work, and establishments. Since there is somewhat of a shortage of these professionals, those who are fully qualified for such positions tend to get snapped up right away. So, if you're willing to complete the proper training, you can almost certainly find work as an addiction therapist in the state.

Before you go out and start applying for jobs, however, you need to make sure that you have the proper educational training and background for what it is you want to do. Different professions in the field and different workplace environments will require different levels of education and training, so it's important to have a clear idea of what your dream job will require before you start down an educational path. That way, you won't waste time pursuing the wrong type of degree or spend money seeking accreditation or licensure that you don't really need.

Most working professionals in the state, however, will possess at least a bachelor's degree. This degree might be in psychology, sociology, substance abuse, or counseling. As long as it is related to the general work that you hope to do, your major really shouldn't matter. In fact, some professionals even seek accreditation or begin working in the field even though they majored in a very different subject. However, if you already know what you want to do, it's wise to pick a major that will give you the knowledge that you need to succeed.

If your career path doesn't call for a bachelor's degree or if you simply are not willing to commit to four years of schooling, you can opt instead for a two year associate's degree. These degrees are more general in nature than bachelor's degrees, but they can help you to gain access to entry level positions or to seek certification for some addiction therapist positions. Plus, if you change your mind later on, you can transfer the credits earned in an associate's degree program to a bachelor's degree program. If you're already working at the time that you decide to do this, your employer might be willing to pay for your continued education since it benefits the workplace as a whole.

Once you have a bachelor's degree, do keep in mind that you can always seek out even higher levels of education, such as a master's degree or even a doctorate degree. While most positions in the state will not require you to possess such a high level degree, having one can often be the key to a higher salary. Plus, you will be eligible for more promotions at work and able to move up to more prestigious positions in the field if you so desire.

Obviously, becoming an addiction therapist takes quite a bit of work. However, it is well worth it, especially when you consider that the need for these professionals is booming, whereas in most other career fields, work is very difficult to find. If you can commit yourself to the right educational path, then you can have a lucrative and fulfilling career as an addiction therapist. Just make sure that you plan things out ahead of time so that you can reach your dream career and start working in the field as quickly as possible.