Psychotherapy is a type of verbal therapy designed to help improve an individual’s mental health. It allows a person to talk through their problems, thoughts and feelings in a confidential and safe environment. A psychotherapist is trained to listen with empathy and without judgement, to understand the individual’s problems and help them deal with negative thoughts and feelings.
You must complete a postgraduate qualification from a recognised body to become a psychotherapist if you want to work for an employer particularly within the NHS. To qualify you’ll need a good undergraduate degree in a related field such as psychology, nursing, medicine or social work. You might also need a counselling certificate or considerable practical experience in a related area. There is sometimes more flexibility in entry requirements on a part-time course.
You can pick from over 100 postgraduate courses in the UK, some specific to psychotherapy and others combined with various types of counselling.
Postgraduate courses in psychotherapy will involve a combination of written theory assignments, supervised clinical work and clinical seminars. It also gives you an opportunity to specialise in an area of interest such as child psychology or psychoanalytical psychotherapy. It can be emotionally challenging as you will need to complete a set number of practice hours as well as attending therapy yourself.
Psychotherapy graduates can work in the NHS within IAPT services (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) if they have the right qualifications. Trainee psychotherapists usually start on band 6 which is currently around £35,392 and work up to band 7 which is between £43,742 to £50,056 depending on experience and managerial responsibility.
Outside the NHS, salaries vary hugely as psychotherapists will often work in private practice or as part of a counselling agency.
The MSc in CBT offers clinicians who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in CBT an opportunity to carry out high quality Read more...
This two-year part-time course offers experienced clinicians and practitioners from a range of professional backgrounds a unique Read more...
The Master of Studies (MSt) in Psychodynamic Practice is orientated towards increasing the understanding and application of Read more...
The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is part of a comprehensive CBT training programme, which has been renowned Read more...
The part-time DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is offered by the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC) in collaboration with Read more...
The Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling provides a broadly based exploration of psychodynamic theory, philosophy and Read more...
The Postgraduate Certificate has attracted students from clinical and counselling psychology, psychiatry, general practice, nursing, social Read more...
The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice develops from the Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling, integrating Read more...
The Postgraduate Certificate in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is part of a comprehensive CBT training programme, which has Read more...