Retraining as a psychotherapist

[Almahart]

Has anyone done this in their forties with no prior experience? Which course did you do, are you in work now, what would you do differently with the benefit of hindsight? I really want to do this and it feels like now or never because of my age, but I don't know where to start - any advice appreciated.

[gatewalker]

Almahart -- You'll almost certainly need to do an access course first, no matter which kind of psychotherapy you are opting for. And there are quite a few, from Humanistic, to Integral, to Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic, to Psychosynthesis.

Enquire at either a BACP or UKCP approved training institute, and see what they would offer you. I would doubt you'd be able to go straight on to a Post Grad program first, but you never know.

[gatewalker]

I did an access course at WPF Therapy, and then started my Postgrad Diploma there, but chose to leave to pursue a different route. It's very hard work both academically, but also emotionally, psychologically and spiritually: it catalyses a lot of change and growth it's unavoidable and a necessary part of the experience.

Also, it's expensive. On top of your tuition, you may have to pay for your supervision, and you will also need to pay for at least one session a week of your own personal therapy.

[gatewalker]

Oh, but I loved it, btw. I was simply called in another direction -- one more suited to my current work and my circumstances.

[PeppermintCrayon]

I'm training now. You don't need an access course if you have a first degree in any subject. Have a look at BACP and UKCP-registered courses in your area as each will have their own requirements.

My advice is to visit anywhere you are considering applying for an open day as you need a good gut feeling - you are going to be trusting them with your emotional development after all. Don't pick the shortest or cheapest course and do not do a distance learning course as the really important stuff cannot be learned from books.

What are you hoping for at the end of it, do you want to go into private practice, work in the NHS or in a school for example? And have you had any therapy yourself? Do you know why you want to train?

[PeppermintCrayon]

Just to clarify, I thought you meant access course as in a basic English and maths one. You will need to start with some sort of foundation level training.