Yes, it's a little like learning to be a school teacher; they learn all the theories and developmental history, and "real" history of what may work with some sorts of people versus what doesn't work/not to do. But though they might start out teaching "language arts" or something, since it's one-on-one, if you don't "get it" they can change and teach a different way and adjust to you rather than just being mostly one way like a teacher is in front of a class.

But no one can teach them empathy and caring and emotional subjects like that so presumably they have natural gifts/talents/interests in those areas (like some people are good with children or good with animals or are mechanically inclined, etc.; we all have gifts and, hopefully, therapists are gifted in emotional connections).