Addiction Therapists

Employers

Addiction therapists are employed at outpatient care centers, residential addiction treatment centers, hospitals, general medical and surgical hospitals, psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, prisons, probation or parole agencies, juvenile detention facilities, halfway houses, and employee assistance programs (which are employer-provided mental health programs). Some therapists work in private practice. Approximately 11 percent of marriage and family therapists are self-employed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Starting Out

Recent graduates sometimes land their first jobs as a result of contacts made through internships or residencies. Others learn about job openings at career fairs and other networking events, by using the resources of professional associations (which often offer job sites and networking opportunities), by creating a profile on LinkedIn to attract recruiters, and by applying for jobs at employer Web sites.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that “counselors with personal experience overcoming alcohol or drug addictions are sometimes viewed as especially helpful and insightful to those seeking treatment.”

Some people enter the field after first working as behavioral health technicians, completing advanced education, and obtaining on-the-job experience. Behavioral health technicians interview patients and create intake forms, maintain patient records, and help therapists and other mental health professionals monitor treatment programs and schedules.