Therapist Resume: Examples, Templates & Guide for 2025

Crafting a standout therapist resume is your first step toward making a meaningful impact in the world of mental health. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance, this article offers expert tips and therapist resume examples to help you highlight your skills and experience effectively. Get ready to impress potential employers with a well-crafted resume that showcases your therapeutic prowess.

This guide will show you:

• A therapist resume example that’s better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a therapist resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a therapist resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a therapist to get any job you want.

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Therapist Resume Sample

Here’s how to write your own therapist resume:

1. Format Your Therapist Resume Correctly

An effective resume format will help your document make a great first impression and convince your future employer to keep reading. But how do you make sure your therapist's resume looks polished and professional?

Here’s how to keep the neat resume layout:

• Start with a clear resume header.
• Include your full name and basic contact information: phone number, email, LinkedIn profile, and relevant website.
• Leave out your street address, but mention your city if it aligns with the job location.
• Follow the structure of a reverse-chronological resume format, listing your most recent position first.
• Choose a professional font for your resume.
• Adjust resume margins and line spacing.
• Name your resume as “Your Name—Therapist—Resume.pdf.” 
• Save your resume as a PDF file, ensuring your formatting remains intact.
• Keep the ideal resume length. For entry-level candidates, it’s one page. Those with extensive experience can extend to a two-page resume or more if necessary.

Read more: Two-Column Resume Templates

2. Customize Your Therapist Job Description

According to the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) significant shortages are expected in behavioral health professions by 2036. That will also affect therapists. With that in mind, remember that you will still need to compete for the best jobs out there. A tailored resume can help you outsmart your competitors.

Here’s how to create a work experience section that answers the requirements of your future employer perfectly:

• Match the job title from the listing to ensure ATS compatibility.
• List each company's name, its location and your employment dates.
• Add up to 6 bullet points to your resume, adjusting for newer versus older roles.
• Demonstrate your expertise by showcasing quantifiable achievements on your resume.
• Begin each bullet point with an impactful resume action word like facilitated, implemented, and enhanced.

Therapist Responsibilities for a Resume - Example

• Conduct individual and group therapy sessions to address mental health issues.
• Develop personalized treatment plans based on client assessments.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care.
• Document client progress and adjust therapeutic approaches as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and support during emergencies.
• Educate clients and families on coping strategies and mental health awareness.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines in all client interactions.

Remember to use action verbs that convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some action verbs for therapist:

Therapist Resume Action Verbs - Example

• Facilitated
• Implemented
• Assessed
• Collaborated
• Counselled
• Guided
• Analyzed
• Supported
• Developed
• Educated

Read more: How To Highlight Your Relevant Experience

3. Make Your Education Section Count

While everyone includes their education section on a resume, there's more to it than just mentioning where you studied. Consider it an opportunity to demonstrate additional skills and experiences that can elevate your resume and show you’re a professional from A to Z.

Here’s what to always add to your resume:

• Associate, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
• Minors and Majors
• Location of Your School
• Graduation Date

Here’s what to consider adding, especially if you’re writing an entry-level resume:

• Extracurricular Activities
• Relevant Coursework
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Latin Honors
• Studying Abroad

Read more: Should You Include GPA on a Resume

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

4. Prove the Therapist Skills the Company Wants

Demonstrating the right skills on a resume is crucial. But don’t just list all your hard skills and all your soft skills. There's a strategic approach to it. Focusing on those explicitly mentioned in the job posting will make your resume stand out and pass the resume scanners.

Here's how to effectively showcase therapist skills:

• Utilize resume keywords from the job description to ensure your skills align with the employer’s needs.
• Avoid overwhelming your resume with too many skills; stick to a concise list highlighting your strongest assets.
• Integrate these skills into your job and education descriptions to reinforce your qualifications throughout your resume.

Therapist Resume Skills

• Empathy and Compassion
• Active Listening
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Stress Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Interpersonal Skills
• Cultural Competency
• Ethical Decision-Making
• Patience and Resilience
• Adaptability Skills
• Motivational Skills
• Boundary Setting
• Emotional Intelligence

• Case Management
• Crisis Intervention
• CBT Techniques (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
• Documentation and Record-Keeping
• Knowledge of DSM-5
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Assessment and Diagnosis
• Client Intake Procedures
• Psychotherapy Techniques
• Group Facilitation
• Knowledge of HIPAA Compliance
• Treatment Planning

Read more: What is the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills

5. Add Other Sections to Your Therapist Resume

There are currently more than 198,811 therapists in the US. To truly shine among them, your resume must illustrate your unique strengths and personality traits. Add other sections that highlight you and help you create a unique resume.

Here are a few added sections that can show your strengths:

• Include any certifications and licenses relevant to therapy you’ve obtained, such as CBT or trauma-focused certifications.
• List publications and appearances if you've contributed to professional journals or mental health publications to show your expertise.
• Highlight memberships in professional associations, such as the American Counseling Association, to highlight your commitment to the field.
• Mention volunteering experience in mental health initiatives for a better impact.
• Add language skills to demonstrate your ability to serve diverse client populations.

Read more: All the Necessary Resume Parts in 2024

6. Write a Therapist Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Craft a resume profile that succinctly conveys your professional identity. It’s your resume introduction that works similarly to a good elevator pitch — short, impactful, and engaging. This one-paragraph summary should encapsulate your experience, skills, and how you can contribute to the company.

• For those with experience, a resume professional summary is ideal. It should feature your job title, notable achievements, and how you can be an asset to the organization.
• For those crafting a resume with no experience, focus on accomplishments from education or volunteer work. This is referred to as a resume objective, and it highlights your potential and eagerness to grow.

Read more: How to Start a Resume

7. Write a Cover Letter for Your Therapist's Resume

Writing a cover letter is an essential step in making your resume stand out. While some might question the necessity of cover letters, they are a powerful way to demonstrate a genuine interest in a specific position and company. In an era where resumes are often sent en masse, a personalized cover letter can set you apart.

Follow these steps to write a cover letter for a job:

• Adhere to a professional cover letter structure, mirroring your resume's header and ending with a business-appropriate signoff.
• Learn how to format a cover letter with 3–5 concise paragraphs.
• Begin your cover letter with your job title and an engaging opener.
• Highlight significant achievements from your resume in the middle paragraphs.
• Conclude with a strong cover letter closing, adding a few more skills and requesting a discussion.
• Follow up weekly for a month with a brief follow-up email, including your resume and cover letter.

Read more: Cover Letter Tips

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Stay motivated and remember that each resume you send is a step closer to your dream therapist position. Thank you for reading, and feel free to ask any questions about creating a standout therapist resume in the comments below.

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW): Behavioral Health Workforce, 2023
• Steven Zauderer, "Therapist Statistics And Facts: How Many Are There?"