Psychotherapist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course

University

To become a psychotherapist, you'll need to:

• study for a degree such as psychology, nursing, medicine or social work
• do an accredited postgraduate qualification
• complete 450 hours of practice

Your postgraduate course should be recognised by one of the following:

• UK Council for Psychotherapy
• British Psychoanalytic Council
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Association of Child Psychotherapists (APC)

Training can take between 3 and 4 years to complete.

To become a child psychotherapist, you will need to complete 4 years of training with the APC.

You'll also need experience of working with children or vulnerable adults.

Some courses may expect you to go into therapy yourself during your training. This is to help you deal with any issues that may affect you as a therapist, as well as to experience therapy from a client's point of view.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

College

You could start by doing a Level 3 or 4 Diploma in Counselling before moving onto further training at degree and postgraduate level.

You'll be encouraged to take an introductory course to start, to make sure that this is a career for you.

Some colleges have a minimum age limit to start this type of course. They may also expect you to have had experience of working with vulnerable people.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• customer service skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• a desire to help people
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Psychotherapists use talking therapies to help people deal with emotional, behavioural and mental health issues.

As a psychotherapist, you would:

• build trusting relationships with individuals, couples or groups
• encourage clients to talk about their thoughts, feelings and behaviours
• help clients find ways to cope with their issues and to make positive changes
• create and update confidential client records and write reports
• keep up to date with theory and research

Location : You could work in the community, in a therapy clinic, at a health centre, in an NHS or private hospital or from home.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £35,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 42 hours a week

Working Pattern is in your own business managing your own hours

Career Path:

With experience, you could take on a training, teaching or mentoring role, or specialise in a particular therapeutic approach.

You might also become self-employed and set up a private practice, or move into academic research.