You might have heard about the term travel therapy and wondered about its meaning. The end to your confusion has come! In this guide, we will talk about all things travel therapy- the whos, whats, wheres, and hows of it!
So, what is travel therapy?
Travel therapy is an option for therapists with various specialties searching for short-term assignments all around the country. A typical contract is 13 weeks long. There's a possibility to practice in all 50 states of the United States. Do you like the beach, or are you a city-dweller? The choice is yours! The possibilities are endless when it comes to expanding your knowledge and expertise in the field of treatment by practicing this kind of therapy throughout the country.
Who can do it?
Travel therapists should just have a sense of adventure, adaptability, and a willingness to give excellent care to qualify. Before embarking on travel contracts, therapists should have worked in the field for at least a year and have the ability to adapt quickly. As we've heard from our friends at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, all kinds of professionals willing to travel are in high demand. You'll succeed in this position if you're quick to pick up on new tasks and ideas.
What are the benefits?
Travel therapy has many advantages, and there are many reasons why therapists could take this route:
Those who work as travel therapists earn a lot more money.
You don't have to make a long-term commitment if you don't want to
How does it work?
You still might be confused about travel therapy. Here’s how you should go about it.
Step 0: Engage with recruiters
Before you start the process, you should look for reputable staffing firms to partner with and dependable recruiters inside those firms. These recruiters and firms may either boost or kill your travel therapy experience. By engaging with at least three recruiters, you will have a wider range of potential employers to choose from.
You can choose what kind of work you want to do. No matter what you decide to do- group therapy or individual therapy for addiction, with an experienced travel therapist, patients can turn to pros instead of potentially inexperienced or overworked staff. That's what makes travel therapy so fulfilling.
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Step 1: Find a place to work
First of all, you'll have to find a place where they require a short-term worker.
Short-term employees or travel therapists could be needed for a variety of reasons:
A surprise resignation has left the company needing a temporary replacement while searching for new full-time staff.
Someone is on maternity/paternity leave for the time being.
Seasonal fluctuations in caseload can lead to a temporary increase in the number of clients they see.
In remote or less desirable places where there is a scarcity of therapists, they are having difficulty recruiting or have not had permanent employment for some time.
To a large extent, you're at the mercy of what employment is available in the US at any particular time. A state may be on your bucket list, but picking a specific city may not be an option. You may have to search across an entire state or area if you don't notice any openings in a certain city at a particular time. The more specific you are about the area, the less wiggle room you have in terms of both pay and setting preferences. So in order to make the maximum money, you may have to be a little more flexible about the setting and/or location accessible!
The "travel therapy jackpot" can sometimes come your way when you get to choose your ideal place, environment and pay. However, all three are difficult to come by. So, keep in mind that adaptability is vital!
Step 2: Get your licenses
Every state where you work requires you to have a license, and it's normally suggested that you earn at least two licenses before applying for jobs. This might seem like a drag, but in the end, it's worth it. For those who are already working on earning their state licenses, the recruiters will assist you in finding positions and applying for them.
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Step 3: Enjoy and explore!
There are many different ways to enjoy your travel therapy experience. Getting to know the city before moving there can get you excited about it. You might find amazing places to discover during your stay online.
Additionally, you could connect to other travel therapists. Even if coworkers surround you, traveling can be isolating. Meeting new people who share your interests, concerns, and joys can be a rewarding experience. There are a plethora of ways to communicate with other travel therapists online. Finding other travelers on Instagram can be as simple as searching for some hashtags!
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A couple of tips
If you're looking to start travel therapy, you're better off knowing these tips:
Be flexible – It is possible that the workplace's staffing is disorganized at times or that things are otherwise out of control. You're there to help. Be willing to adapt.
Have backup money - While it may appear as if work is available over the next 13 weeks, this may not be the case. In addition, even the healthiest and youngest workers may be forced to take time off work without pay due to accidents, family problems, or health issues. That's why it's so crucial to have an emergency savings account. At the very least, have three months' worth of expenditures covered if you have to take time off from work.
Don't try to change things- As a traveling employee, you must abide by the policies and procedures of the company you are visiting. It's not good to be the tourist who enters a building and immediately attempts to change everything.
Final words
We hope our guide has inspired you to try travel therapy for yourself. With its many benefits, it might just be the right option for you, so get out there!
Meta: Are you wondering about travel therapy and how it works? Well, look no further than this guide for all the info you need!
