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Therapist Cover Letter: Example, Template + How to Write One in Australia

Therapist Cover Letter Guide + Examples Australia
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Staring at that blank page, trying to figure out how to show a clinic manager you’re the compassionate, skilled Therapist they desperately need? You’re definitely not alone. Writing a Therapist cover letter that demonstrates your clinical expertise without sounding overly clinical or detached is one of the trickiest challenges in today’s competitive mental health services market. The good news? A standout cover letter can be your secret weapon to rise above the competition and secure that dream therapeutic position.

This guide will take your cover letter from generic template to interview magnet. We’ll reveal exactly how to start with maximum impact, prove your worth through client outcomes and therapeutic effectiveness metrics, and finish with confidence. Plus, you’ll discover insider tips on what Australian employers are really looking for, complete with real examples that actually work. Whether you’re stepping up from provisional psychologist to registered therapist or bringing your counselling expertise to a new practice, we’ve got you covered.

Therapist Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Rebecca Martinez
[email protected]
0428 567 891
linkedin.com/in/rebeccamartinez-therapist
Brisbane, QLD

12 October 2025

Dr Michael Chen
Clinical Director
New Farm Psychology Centre
45 Brunswick Street
New Farm, QLD 4005

Dear Dr Chen,

When I discovered that New Farm Psychology Centre is seeking a Therapist to provide evidence-based treatment for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma while contributing to multidisciplinary team approaches and maintaining best-practice clinical standards, I recognized this was precisely the opportunity I’ve been working toward. As Therapist at Mindful Psychology, I provided individual therapy to 85+ clients across 18-month period achieving 89% symptom improvement as measured through standardized outcome measures including DASS-21 and K10, delivered evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and trauma-focused approaches tailored to individual client presentations and goals, maintained effective case management including comprehensive assessments, treatment planning, progress monitoring, and appropriate referrals achieving 94% client satisfaction rating, and collaborated with psychiatrists, GPs, and social workers ensuring integrated care for complex presentations including coordination of Mental Health Care Plans and communication with treating teams.

Over the past four years working throughout Brisbane’s mental health services sector, I’ve repeatedly delivered results matching your needs. I’ve conducted thorough biopsychosocial assessments identifying presenting issues, risk factors, and treatment priorities while building therapeutic alliance that enabled clients to engage meaningfully in therapy. I’ve delivered evidence-based therapeutic interventions across diverse presentations including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship issues, and adjustment difficulties using modalities proven effective through research and adapted to individual client needs, preferences, and cultural contexts. I’ve maintained rigorous clinical documentation including session notes, treatment plans, and outcome measurements meeting AHPRA standards and insurance requirements while protecting client confidentiality. I’ve managed clinical caseload effectively balancing urgent cases, ongoing therapy clients, and new assessments while maintaining wait times under two weeks and achieving zero adverse incidents through appropriate risk assessment and safety planning.

What really attracts me to New Farm Psychology Centre is your integrative approach combining evidence-based practice with compassionate client-centred care and your commitment to therapist professional development and clinical supervision. I hold Master of Counselling from Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from University of Queensland, full registration with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia as Clinical Registrant, and Medicare provider number. I’m trained in evidence-based modalities including CBT through Australian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy, ACT through contextual psychology workshops, and trauma-informed approaches including EMDR Level 1 training. One achievement I’m particularly proud of is developing group therapy programme for social anxiety combining psychoeducation, exposure work, and skills practice, which supported 24 clients over three cohorts achieving average 64% reduction in social anxiety scores and 83% reporting improved quality of life with programme subsequently adopted across organisation’s three sites.

I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my proven ability to deliver effective therapy while maintaining clinical excellence and client-centred care can contribute to New Farm Psychology Centre’s therapeutic services and client outcomes. Thank you for reviewing my application, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Martinez
[email protected]
0428 567 891
linkedin.com/in/rebeccamartinez-therapist

How to Format a Therapist Cover Letter

  • Length: Maximum 1 page (3–5 paragraphs)
  • Font: Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman (10–12pt)
  • Spacing: Single or 1.15 line spacing
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides
  • File format: PDF

What to Include in a Therapist Cover Letter (Australia)

Your Therapist cover letter needs to follow a clinical-focused structure that showcases both therapeutic expertise and client outcomes:

  1. Contact Details
  2. Salutation (Dear Hiring Manager or name)
  3. Opening paragraph – your hook and intent
  4. Middle – why you’re the best fit (skills + experience)
  5. Closing – call to action + sign off

Right vs Wrong Example

Right Opening: “When Headspace Melbourne announced their expansion requiring a Therapist to provide evidence-based mental health support for young people aged 12-25 experiencing depression, anxiety, and early psychosis while delivering group programmes and collaborating with youth-focused multidisciplinary teams, I instantly recognized where my background—providing individual therapy to 120+ young people across youth mental health service achieving 87% completion of treatment goals and 91% client satisfaction ratings, delivering evidence-based interventions including CBT, DBT skills training, and family therapy adapted for developmental stage and cultural context, facilitating 15+ therapeutic groups addressing anxiety management, emotion regulation, and social skills with average symptom improvement of 58% across standardized measures, and collaborating with schools, child protection services, and community organizations ensuring wraparound support for complex cases—could support your mission improving mental health outcomes for young Australians during critical developmental period.”
Wrong Opening: “I am writing to apply for the Therapist position that was advertised on Seek. I have counselling qualifications and enjoy helping people. I believe I would be a good fit for this role at your organisation.”

Entry-Level Therapist Cover Letter Tips

  • Emphasize practicum placements from Master of Counselling or Psychology highlighting supervised clinical hours and client presentations
  • Showcase theoretical knowledge through evidence-based training, therapeutic modalities studied, or specialized coursework
  • Demonstrate commitment to profession through professional association membership, supervision engagement, or continuing education

Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample for Therapist

Right Entry-Level Approach: “As recent Master of Counselling graduate from Australian College of Applied Psychology with provisional registration through PACFA and 150 supervised clinical hours, I’m excited to apply for the Graduate Therapist position at Relationships Australia. During my practicum placements across community mental health and private practice settings, I provided counselling to 35+ clients presenting with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma under clinical supervision achieving positive outcomes with 88% of clients reporting symptom improvement through routine outcome monitoring. My training emphasized evidence-based practice including CBT, solution-focused brief therapy, and narrative therapy approaches, which I applied flexibly based on client presentation and preferences. I conducted comprehensive assessments using DSM-5 criteria, developed collaborative treatment plans, and maintained professional documentation meeting ethical and legal standards. My placement supervisors noted my ‘natural empathy, strong clinical reasoning, and ability to establish therapeutic rapport quickly’ in supervision reports. I hold Working with Children Check, First Aid certification, and completed professional development in suicide risk assessment and trauma-informed practice through Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors. This combination of clinical training, supervised practice experience, and genuine passion for supporting people through difficult times makes me confident I can contribute as a Relationships Australia Therapist.”
Wrong Entry-Level Approach: “I recently completed my counselling degree and I’m looking for my first therapist job. I’m a good listener and care about people. I did some placements at uni. Please consider me for this role.”

Top Mistakes to Avoid in a Therapist Cover Letter

  • Not mentioning professional registration, therapeutic modalities, or clinical supervision
  • Being vague about client populations served, presenting issues treated, or therapeutic outcomes achieved
  • Neglecting to mention evidence-based practice, outcome measurement, or multidisciplinary collaboration

How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to a Job Ad

  • Align with their client population (children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, specific communities)
  • Address specific requirements they mention (therapeutic modalities, registration type, Medicare provider status, specialized training)
  • Reflect their service model (private practice, community health, EAP, telehealth, hospital-based, residential)

How to Sign Off Your Therapist Cover Letter

  • Use “Kind regards” or “Sincerely”
  • Include full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn (optional)

Cover Letter Signature Example

Kind regards,David Nguyen
[email protected]
0423 789 456
linkedin.com/in/davidnguyen-therapist

How to Submit a Cover Letter in Australia

  • Always attach as a PDF (unless instructed otherwise)
  • Label file professionally (e.g. RebeccaMartinez_CoverLetter.pdf)
  • If submitting via health service portals or Seek, include a brief intro

Final Tips for Writing a Great Therapist Cover Letter

  • Lead with specific clinical outcomes (symptom improvement rates, client satisfaction scores, treatment completion rates)
  • Balance clinical competence with compassionate care demonstrating both technical expertise and therapeutic presence
  • Show commitment to best practice through evidence-based approaches, outcome monitoring, or professional development
  • Emphasize ethical practice through supervision engagement, scope of practice awareness, or professional standards adherence

More Resources for Job Seekers

Ready to nail your entire application? Check out our Therapist Resume Examples for the perfect complement to your cover letter. Prepare for success with our Common Interview Questions for mental health and counselling roles, and explore our Selection Criteria Templates for government mental health positions.

Remember, your cover letter should work alongside your resume to tell a compelling story about why you’re the Therapist they need. Concentrate on specific therapeutic achievements that demonstrate both clinical competence and positive client outcomes, express genuine enthusiasm for their organization and therapeutic approach, and always emphasize how you’ll provide effective, ethical, evidence-based care from day one. With Australia’s mental health sector continuing to evolve through increased service demand, growing recognition of mental health’s importance for overall wellbeing, and expansion of telehealth and digital therapy options, organizations are seeking Therapists who can balance evidence-based practice with compassionate client-centred care and clinical expertise with cultural competence. Stay current with therapeutic approaches and professional standards through organizations like Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Australian Counselling Association, and Australian Psychological Society, maintain professional registration through required supervision and continuing professional development, pursue specialized training in areas like trauma-informed practice, LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy, culturally responsive counselling, and emerging modalities, engage with professional communities through supervision groups and peer consultation, and develop your therapeutic capabilities to ensure your application reflects current employer expectations and demonstrates readiness to support clients through their healing journeys while maintaining clinical excellence in this deeply rewarding, person-centred profession that transforms lives through therapeutic relationships and evidence-based interventions.