To want a therapist with a PhD

Can I just make it clear that both counselling and psychotherapy are self-regulating industries?

My ex is a counsellor and he did psychotherapy training but never passed. He also did supervision training but didn’t complete the paperwork. He offers both. Check qualifications carefully and don’t assume that all are honest. At the very least you need someone who is BACP registered and you need to verify that registration independently. In my exes case, at some point he was challenged by Advertising Standards as a result of someone (wasn’t me!) somewhere noting that although he advertised as BACP qualified this couldn’t be verified. The BACP chases this up with the advertising people. He no longer claims to be BACP qualified but still seems to be making a living.

The clinical psychologist I saw (on the NHS) had a PhD, and I did find it a bit helpful that it seemed like he understood some of my problems, given that they were to do with struggling with my PhD. Is there something like that that's a motivation?

@artimesiasfootsteps I guess the first rule she broke was to knowingly take on clients that not only knew each other but were friends.

Did you end up reporting her?

@Arthriticmiddlefinger Thank you so much for your informative reply. I've found this very helpful. The sarcastic replies (Perhaps written by people with a bit of a chip on their shoulders towards those with higher education, MIL is that you?) are unhelpful because I get what OP means, I've wasted a fortune on at best poor at worst dangerous therapists labelling themselves as psychotherapists.

I also want to know that the therapist I choose has the education behind them to facilitate productive and safe therapy relationship. It would also be nice if we have a similar educational level too, sorry if that offends people.

The last BACP psychotherapist I had, broke a number of rules. I was recommended her by a friend who used her too, I then saw her for a year, she broke confidentiality and spoke to each of us about each other, tried to get us to be friends with her outside the therapy, there was worse, but I can't say it here without being very outing.

I will now look for a psychologist if I need therapy again in the future, thanks.

It’s a definitely a long, hard slog, demanding and, at times, soul crushing path to become a clin psych (the other applied might be a bit easier to get into but just because they’re self funded!). I gave up (and went sideways) because acquiring the required experience was incompatible with having to support myself, having a child and wanting to be more than a band 6 anytime soon. Also because it was a huge gamble. I could’ve spent my 30s (as I spent my 20s spiralling and dealing with my own trauma and MH) on that path and not get in, hit 40 and have very little to show other than a great future as a CAPS or AP……………..

I mean a PhD!! Lots of my colleagues have double doctorates (PhD and DClinPsyc). Some have MSc, some went straight from BSc by virtue of their applied clinical / research experience prior to acceptance onto the clinical doctorate (E.g. assistant psychologist or research assistant).

Do you mean PhD or a postgraduate qualification?

Put it in context - you can “technically” do a counselling course in a few weeks / months. I know people who have done this and then set up in private practice. To be an applied psychologist (with one of the protected titles!) takes years - most clinical psychologists take around 10 years to qualify when you factor in 6 years at uni and the experience they need to get onto the doctorate. Many take longer - some have PhDs before they even apply for the professional doctorate.

…no doubt someone who does not work in this field though, will be along soon to pronounce this as inaccurate! 😂

Integrative psychotherapists are by definition “integrative”, so you are correct that they have trained in more than one modality. This is not the norm though, hence why they spell it out.

As a Clinical Psychologist, I can assure you that the title ‘psychologist’ is not protected in itself. The list of applied psychologist titles you have given are the protected titles.

I worked with a counsellor (originally trained as a nurse) and a psychotherapist who made a world of difference to my life. I also worked with a psychiatrist who is excellent. A different psychiatrist however was absolute shite, condescending, interrupting, not at all person-centred. Am now going through my first experience with a clinical psychologist. But I’ve also met people (professionally, as I work in the field) who got into the dclinpsych who were under 30, cookie cutter stepford AP middle class white women who could afford to do a 3 month unpaid work experience here and there (prisons, crisis centres etc) to see how the less fortunate half live but who had no real life experience beyond their cushion, and who behaved towards clients as another rung on the clin psych greasy pole, not as human beings. So… it’s not just the title and the official training.

Counselling and psychotherapy in the UK is not regulated by law so there are no basic skills they need to have to be able to practise. The roles don't have protection of title either.

There are several registers - the largest is BACP but this is not the only one. There is an independent oversight body called the Professional Standards Authority with which the BACP and many others have accreditation.

Psychologists may be regulated by the HCPC (a statutory regulator like the GMC for doctors) but not all psychologist roles are regulated by law.

It's a minefield, very confusing for the public when trying to navigate and access safer healthcare outside the 'protection' of the NHS.

Stand corrected - it is the practitioner psychologist titles that are protected so, the ones I mentioned, plus health psychologist

‘Psychologist’ is not a protected title. ‘Clinical Pyschologist’ and ‘Counselling Psychologist’ and a few more are protected titles.

I know exactly what you mean op. I've seen multiple people in this area and the only one who engaged on the level I needed and made a real positive difference was an actual psychiatrist. Sadly I can't afford that now that I don't have private cover and don't know what the answer is.

https://www.avenuetherapies.com/

60 odd clinical & health psychologists here. Most working in nhs & all in private practice. All will have either CBT qualification if therapist only, or clinical or health psychologist doctoral qualification if Psychologist or/
and PhD. Some have all three.

They are excellent 👌🏼

I'm a counsellor and my training was rigorous. I had to have therapy myself as well as intense group work.

I keep up with CPD too.

But how would people know as all I have is a foundation degree.

I know someone that recently qualified as a counsellor. They have an unrelated degree and frankly quite a few issues themselves. They like to call people narcissistic and controlling behind their back....but really those are their traits she just lacks any self awareness.
She qualified through part time study over a couple of years. Made me realise that there are some high unsuitable people out there because although you can gave the qualification if you work for yourself there is limited supervision.

I would say though that I also had an excellent counsellor myself, so ideally go off recommendation.

Me too

Something that really comes across in your posts Op, is that you feel frustrated and misunderstood. It's so important to find the right therapist and be able to trust them, so you feel able to be vulnerable with them. It sounds like for you, having these additional qualifications will enable you to feel safer and more trusting that they are able to help you. If that's what feels right for you then go with it and explore it. It can be a bit of a minefield as there are so many practitioners and different modalities. To further complicate things Counsellor and Psychotherapist aren't protected terms but the various routes to become one ethically all involve a rigorous training that includes many hours of personal therapy for that individual (potentially one of the most important elements as you want to be working with someone who is highly self aware and who doesn't position themselves as an expert, you're the expert in yourself they will support you to find your own answers). There are many excellent counsellors who don't have PHDs they will have other qualifications and good experience which will give them a good grounding in their modality/modalities alongside good experience. Look at the BACP and UKCP websites as a guide for the person who feels right for you then speak to a few people and get a feel for who is the best fit. Good luck, the right therapist is out there for you.

Psychologist is a protected title!!! Only forensic, educational, counselling, clinical, neuro with doctorate level qualifications can call themselves psychologists!!!

That’s for medical doctors

I look at letters after their name - the more the better, also age and experience.
look them up online - are they also employed by the nhs too.

YANBU. I did a short counselling course a number of years ago, and some of the participants who went further with it and now practice I wouldn't trust with my dogs mental health😅

Many choose this career path as they are a bit crackers themselves and they believe this makes them experts. The only girl who I would actually trust was a lovely, bright, psychology graduate who had her head firmly screwed on.

I'm not sure it's about academic qualifications but more about experience of helping people with complex situations.

I've tried counselling three times and of the three, only found one who really challenged and helped me. Sadly she's no longer in practice.

Most recent attempt was with a counsellor who came highly recommended but it involved her saying things like, 'you need to stop thinking this way'. Or 'you should do things to cheer yourself up'. Oh ok then! 🙄

I did two excruciating sessions and then cancelled it.

Integrative psychotherapists train in multiple moralities too.

They do, and there’s a lot of integrated Level 4 or 5 courses at FE colleges, but within two years, you only learn a bit of each particular theory. I’d steer clear of anyone with this qualification.