Counseling, Therapy & Pharmacy

Careers in Counseling, Therapy, and Pharmacy

Help People Feel Better in Different Ways

There are many types of healthcare jobs. Not everyone wears a white coat or performs surgery—some people help with feelings, movement, communication, or medicine. Careers in counseling, therapy, and pharmacy all play important roles in helping people stay healthy in different ways.  All of these careers require good communication skills, a caring attitude, and the ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. They’re great choices for anyone who wants to make a difference and help others live healthier, happier lives.

Counseling Careers

Help People with Emotions and Mental Health

Counselors are trained professionals who help people deal with stress, sadness, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. They talk with individuals or groups to help them solve problems, set goals, and feel better about themselves. Counselors help with emotional health.

What they do:

• Listen and talk with people who are going through hard times.
• Help people handle things like bullying, family problems, grief, or big life changes.
• Teach skills to manage emotions and build confidence.

Where they work:

Schools, hospitals, community centers, or private offices.

Pharmacy Careers

Help People with Medicine

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are the experts who prepare and provide medicine. They make sure that people get the correct medicine in the right amount and understand how to use it safely.

What they do:

• Read prescriptions from doctors and prepare medications.
• Teach patients how and when to take their medicine.
• Check for drug interactions that could be harmful.

Where they work:

Pharmacies (like CVS or Walgreens), hospitals, or clinics.

Therapy Careers

Help People Recover and Grow Stronger

Therapists help people improve how they move, think, talk, or live their everyday lives. Therapists help with physical and communication skills.  There are several types of therapy careers, each with a special focus:

• Physical Therapists help people move better after an injury.
• Occupational Therapists teach people how to do daily tasks like writing, brushing teeth, or using tools.
• Speech-Language Pathologists help people speak clearly and understand language.
• Family and Marriage Therapists help people improve communication and relationships.

What they do:

• Work one-on-one or in groups to improve a person’s physical or mental skills.
• Create special exercises or routines to help people meet their goals.

Where they work:

Schools, hospitals, rehab centers, or clinics.

What is it like to work in a Counseling, Therapy and Pharmacy career?

Working in a Counseling, Therapy, and Pharmacy career means working very closely with patients and their families. These professionals also often need to collaborate with other care providers, so excellent communication and team work skills are key to building a successful career in this cluster.

Most careers in this cluster work directly with patients in diverse communities, so cultural competency is also extremely important. “Cultural competency” means that one can work effectively with people of different cultures. Understanding the way different cultures view health care as part of their daily lives and learning to work with these views allows for much more effective delivery of care.

When you are planning a career in Counseling, Therapy, and Pharmacy, you must make sure that you are gaining strong STEM skills – science, technology, engineering and math.

If you think you might want to work in a Counseling, Therapy, and Pharmacy career, it is highly recommended that you work with a career counselor or academic counselor to make sure that you create a career plan that is realistic and matches your goals.

💼 Local Counseling, Therapy, and Pharmacy  Occupations by Education and Training Level

Updated: May 19, 2025