How Long Does It Take To Be Massage Therapist

How To Become A Family Therapist

For example, a marriage and family therapist might help a married couple understand why they have been fighting.

A marriage and family therapist might also help a family learn how to better deal with one of their members anxiety issues.

To become a therapist, one must first earn a bachelors degree, ideally in psychology or a similar field. After that, one can enter a masters program in counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field, and earn their supervised clinical hours of experience .

In the United States, licensing is administered regionally by governing boardsin California, this is the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

For more information on marriage and family therapists, visit this or this website.

Take The Jurisprudence Learning Exercise

The JLE is a test of the Practice Act, the Rules, and laws of the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. A 100% passing score is required, but you can take the test as often as you need to pass. The ultimate purpose of this test to make sure you understand the rules and regulations under which you are allowed to practice massage. The goal is to protect the public and you.

Establish A Foundation For Additional Education And Credentials

Your massage therapy education can give you a solid foundation of knowledge in health and the human body. Thats why a background in massage therapy can help you establish a career path in other healthcare professions.

Its not uncommon for massage therapists to expand their expertise and eventually become chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurses, and more.

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Best For Specializations: The Professional Massage Academy

The Professional Massage Academy

• Based in Minnesota, with online components

• Some may need more training for state exams

The Professional Massage Academy offers an online massage therapy program with flexible online classes and some in-person learning. Those in Minnesota can sit for their state licensing exam after course completion. Some taking the program out-of-state may need more hands-on training locally to meet their state requirements.

It’s possible to take specialized massage therapy programs for one or two areas of focus in other courses and programs. Students have access to some specialization options included the program such as sports massage, advanced massage techniques, and specialized massage areas such as reflexology, medical massage, and deep tissue massage. This is taught through demonstration and practical application. Students also learn core topics such as kinesiology, medical terminology, and anatomy.

The Professional Massage Academy also offers personalization and flexibility by providing three learning plans with 15, 29, or 40 hours per week of study, allowing students to complete their education in as little as 15 weeks. At a cost of $7,500 and requiring 600 hours of completion, this program is a moderate choice across the board. There is also a $150 fee for online access to the program.

Massage Therapists Are In Demand

This is one of the reasons why more massage therapists are in demand as the desire for massage therapy increases, more certified massage therapists are needed to help all those new patients. Not to mention our high-stress lifestyles have made the desire for relaxation treatments increase all the more.

As far as tools of the trade are concerned, your hands will be one of your most important assets . Other than that, youll have a massage table or chair, in some circumstances and a range of lotions and oils ready to suit your clients needs.

A massage can last anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour that will depend on what your client hopes to achieve and your plan for getting them the results they desire.

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Your Next Step: Reach Out For More Information

Exploring the possibility of a massage therapy career is an exciting time! Youve just absorbed a lot of information on how to become a massage therapist. Want help putting it all in perspective? Do you have questions about your specific situation?

Reach out to NWHSU for personalized support on your path to becoming a massage therapist.

How Many Credit Hours Will I Need For A Massage Therapy License

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapists receive an average of 667 hours of initial training.

Cortiva Institutes comprehensive massage therapist coursework is specifically tailored to the states in which we do business:

• 600 hours in Florida

• 720 hours in Pennsylvania

• 900 hours in Connecticut

At first blush, 900 hours can seem like a lot. Thats roughly 38 full days, but you obviously dont attend school 24 hours each day. Courses are broken into manageable weeks, with curricula centered on anatomy and the science of therapeutic massage, as well as marketing, business and ethics.

In addition, some students voluntarily choose to apply for certification as well, which requires 750 credit hours plus 250 hours of hands-on experience. With that in mind, in total, how long is massage therapy school from start to finish in months or years?

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Faq On Earning Your License In Massage Therapy

Some states require massage therapists to get individual liability insurance, even if their employer has coverage.

In order to keep a massage license current, professionals must complete a certain number of continuing education credits at schools approved by their state. Topics may include business, general massage, ethics, research, or marketing. Some continuing education classes are available online through the American Massage Therapy Association. In addition, the organization provides information on schools where students can take these courses in their local area.

Some massage therapists learn a specific type of massage in order to help them build their practice. There are several massage modalities to choose from, including the following:

• Deep tissue massage

Change in Employment : 10.80%

Currently Employed: 120

Change in Employment : 12.60%

There are several factors that influence what school massage students choose. Whether they are concerned about the length of the program, taking courses online versus on campus, or the amount of tuition, students need to compare programs before making a decision. The search tool below can help.

Begin Your Job Search

The good news about massage therapy is that through your practical work placement, you will network and meet people in the industry. Also, in Canada is that there is a high demand for massage therapists. The massage therapy program you take should be equipped with resources to help you find a job once you graduate.

Here are a few different options you could consider as you begin your career as a licensed massage therapist.

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How Much Do I Earn As A Massage Therapist In Texas

Some massage therapists are able to earn a full-time salary working only part-time.

The annual mean salary for a massage therapist in Texas is $40,090 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries in the Lone Star State range from $17,500 to $67,520 before tips.

However, massage therapists who work in Corpus Christi have the opportunity to earn a higher salary, with the average for this city at $44,550 annually.

Texas ranks third in the nation for the highest employment of massage therapists. A career in massage therapy promotes health and healthier choices in massage clients.

Keep Up With The Latest Trends In Massage

Whether youre just getting started in school or looking for courses to add to your skill set, staying on top of the latest massage techniques, philosophies, and changes in the industry is key to staying current and competitive in order to offer massage clients a full spectrum of services. These blogs, podcasts, newsfeeds, association journals, and social media feeds will help keep you in the know.

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Complete All Practical Requirements

Practical requirements for massage therapists vary depending on state laws, but they generally revolve around a high school diploma, maintaining a minimum GPA throughout a program that lasts at least six months full time, or 12 months part-time .

Apprenticeship experience may also be required for experience working on real clients. Youll learn about different massage techniques and concepts during this stage, including orthopedics, trigger points, and palpation techniques.

You may also pursue specialty areas like Swedish massage, aromatherapy, oriental medicine, acupuncture, and sports massage. Graduates will then be eligible to take and pass an approved massage therapy exam.

The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination , administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards , is one of the most commonly accepted exams within the United States, though the National Certification Examination, administered by the Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork , is also widely recognized.

Can I Study Massage Therapy Online

There are massage therapist school online options, but they dont include the hands-on training youd get from an in-person school. Since massage therapy is a hands-on practice, many massage therapy students prefer being able to get real-time feedback on massage therapy techniques from an experienced instructor.

Also, consider that depending on your states licensing requirements, you may be required to attend an accredited massage therapy school. Not all online massage therapy schools are accredited. That means you could waste time and money attending one if your goal is to become a licensed massage therapist.

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Option : Massage Therapy Associates Degree

The other option for prospective massage therapists is to complete an associates level program.

Associates programs cover the basics of massage theory and techniques and often incorporate instruction of various different massage modalities like aromatherapy, deep-tissue massage, and prenatal massages. These programs also involve core college courses such as English and sociology.

Many students enrolled in associates programs are current massage therapists and many who complete an associates degree go on to earn a bachelors degree and specialize in a particular massage modality.

The typical associates level program in massage therapy takes around 2 years to complete, potentially longer depending on if you study full-time or part-time.

Can You Make Good Money As A Massage Therapist

According to the BLS, massage therapists earn a median annual salary of $43,620, with the lowest 10 percent of earners making around $22,500 per year and the top 10 percent more than $79,150.

The top pay states for massage therapists are Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. Additionally, it is not uncommon for massage therapists to take on private clients as independent contractors for supplemental income.

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Specialize In Areas That Fit With Your Interests

As a massage therapist, you can develop a specialization path that allows you to focus on specific client types. Pregnant women, children, cancer patients, seniors, hospice patients, veterans, athletesthese are just a handful of examples.

Watch former NWHSU student Janet Kadlec describe her work as a massage therapist at a hospice.

When To See A Doctor

Most massages are considered safe. Talk to your doctor before getting one if you have a serious medical condition. You may want to ask for massage therapist recommendations from your doctor so you can find someone who meets your needs.

Massage shouldnt replace other medical interventions that are necessary to treat an underlying health condition. Dont ignore pain, developing symptoms, or serious symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.

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How To Become A Masseuse In Texas

• 500 education hours are required to become licensed.
• You must renew your license every year.
• 6 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
• The average salary for massage therapists in Texas is $45,090 . This is higher than the national average of $42,820 .
• There is a predicted 32% job increase between 20162026 for massage therapists. This is higher than the expected national growth of 22%.

Do you want to work with your hands? Would you like to help people? If so, then massage therapy might be the ideal vocation for you. As more hospitals, clinics and private practices utilize massage therapy as part of their treatment plans, the demand for trained massage therapists has increased dramatically. When you are ready to take the next step in your career, consider researching these massage schools in Texas.

Not only do massage therapists help people feel better, but they often get to work around their own schedules, and many even open up their own practices. But before you can start working on other people, you need to find Texas massage schools to get trained and licensed.

Q What Is The Average Salary For A Massage Therapist

The average salary for a Massage Therapist in the United States is around $51,000 a year.

People who decide to have their own business will likely make less money, to begin with, as their client base starts to grow they can make more money.

People with certification or specializations can make more money as well.

Those that have worked as a Massage Therapist for many years can expect to make around $60,000 a year.

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How To Become A Behavioral Therapist

Behavioral therapists help people overcome unhealthy behaviors that are self-destructive. Behavioral therapists typically treat people with cognitive disabilities, such as autism, to manage their behaviors, but may also work with people with obsessive-compulsive disorders or substance abuse issues .

Someone who wants to become a behavioral therapist should first earn a bachelors degree in psychology or a related field. After earning a bachelors degree, one can start working as a behavioral disorder counselor. In order to become a licensed behavioral therapist, one must earn their masters degree in psychology or counseling, and work towards licensure.

Licensing requirements vary by region, and similar to psychotherapy requirements, every state in the United States requires a masters degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience for behavioral therapist licensure.

For more information on behavioral therapists, visit this website.

Massage Therapist To Physical Therapist

Massage therapy programs vary in length, from certificate programs of one year or less to full bachelor’s degrees. Most states require their massage therapists to have at least 500 hours of in-class instruction, up to 1,000 hours. To be eligible for a physical therapy program, the massage therapist must have a bachelor’s degree. The physical therapy training program takes three years, and culminates in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree or DPT. Graduates must also pass their state’s licensing examination before they’re permitted to practice.

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What Makes A Good Therapist

Some of the qualities that are helpful for therapists to have include : analytical skills, communication skills, compassion, flexibility, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, listening skills, observational skills, organization, patience, resourcefulness, speaking skills, and writing skills, to name just a few .

In other words, a therapist needs to be able to communicate effectively with a client to be able to figure out what the client is looking for from a therapy session. This requires patience and listening skills as therapists need to understand what a clients problem consists of before they can start treating it.

Therapists need to be observant, so they can hear things that are not explicitly stated by the client.

A therapists job consists of being able to effectively understand a clients problem and to develop a treatment plan collaboratively with the client.

This requires therapists to be resourceful and flexible so that they can treat their clients in an individualized way based on what their clients need and are able to do.

Finally, therapists need to be organized so they can keep track of the work they have done with their clients. This record-keeping includes writing skills and speaking skills so that the therapist and the client are always on the same page. This mutual understanding is key to any therapy session.

Pros: The Perks Of Becoming A Massage Therapist

Making a Difference in the Lives of Others

While there are many tangible benefits of a massage therapy career, perhaps the most rewarding aspect about being a massage therapist is knowing that your work has a positive impact on the lives of other people. In the massage therapy career survey article, it was revealed that 99% of massage therapists surveyed believed that their work makes a difference in the lives of others.

This is unsurprising, given that massage therapists are trained to treat a variety of illnesses and disorders that are common in todays society, such as chronic pain and anxiety disorders. As such, massage therapy is a great career choice for those that want to make a real difference in the lives of others.

Massage Therapy Job Security

The job-demand for professional massage therapists is booming.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of massage therapy jobs in the US is projected to grow from 160,300 jobs in 2016 to 202,400 jobs in 2026. Thats an additional 42,100 new massage therapy jobs, which is a 26% increase over 10-years!

Because human touch is inherently therapeutic, it is unlikely that a machine will be able to replace the hands-on healing of a massage therapist.

Earning Potential of Massage Therapists

One of the reasons that massage therapy is a popular career choice is because of the good earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Massage Therapists was $41, 420 in May 2018.

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What Kind Of Environment Will I Work In

There are many options when it comes to working as a massage therapist and you could choose from one of the following:

Spas

Spas a places where people go to have a soothing massage experience in a comfortable and relaxing space. The goal here is to make the client completely relaxed and create a pleasing experience.

Rehab clinics and hospitals

In a rehabilitation setting, you will be focused on injuries that need healing and pain relief. Massage techniques can help to relieve pain and restore mobility.

Hotels

Many hotels and resorts have on-site massage therapists who are available to book for appointments during someones stay. This means you will have a wide variety of clients but rarely any long-term patients.

Wellness Centers

Health and wellness centers are becoming more and more popular and massage therapists play a big role in these. They can help aid in anything from muscle injuries to headaches to stress and mental health issues.

Private Practice

About 67 percent of all massage therapists work in private practice. This means setting up your own business and working to acquire a regular set of clients. You get to set your own hours and keep all of the profits.