Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves a range of techniques based on dialogue, communication and behavioural change designed to improve the mental/emotional health of a client or patient, or to improve group relationships (such as in a family). Psychotherapists also provide sexual and relationship therapy to couples experiencing difficulties.

The first step of the process is either self-referral or the referral of the client by a consultant, healthcare professional, clergy or GP. The length of therapy varies – therapist and client will meet for an assessment session to map out the territory they are going to cover.

The client is then asked to commit to a minimum number of sessions, which provides a framework for the assessment. After this time the patient may require no further treatment or they may wish to continue seeing a psychotherapist once a week or once a fortnight towards a mutually negotiated end-point.

Prospects for career development are many and varied, depending on experience, qualifications and motivation. Some therapists join a psychotherapy or counselling practice and work as part of a team. Working from a dedicated consulting room at home is also an option, although care must be taken to provide a safe, stable and professional environment. Counsellors and therapists can select their hours of work.

The rigours of accreditation and reaccreditation mean that therapists must produce evidence annually or on a five-year cycle of their continued professional development (CPD) to retain their professional qualification.

European registration is another new development. Psychotherapists can apply for the European Certificate of Psychotherapy, which if successful will enable them to practise across Europe. Increasing central government involvement is also likely to have an affect on psychotherapy as the government try to standardise the use of therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Skills required

Practitioners working in this area need compassion, empathy and listening skills. Energy for ongoing training and clinical supervision is essential, as is a real interest in people’s history and current life. You will also need a sense of humour, perseverance and stoicism.

Starting out

New starters need to juggle client work, college study and reading, clinical supervision and personal therapy, which is a prerequisite to their study. When they reach diploma level they will be expected to achieve a certain number of client hours. This can be a difficult time as students learn to handle complex cases but they will have support from their tutors, supervisors, lecturers, therapist and peer group.

Additional support may be sought through the various professional bodies – the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy (BASRT) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).