Psychotherapist training and UKCP Colleges

[Lumie9]

I am at the very beginning of a career change (recovering lawyer) and am about to start an MSc in Psychology with a view to possibly training as a psychotherapist in the future.

I’m finding the training and career path options a bit baffling (especially when compared to law which has a very clear, structured route). Does anyone have any experience or views on choosing a training programme from within one of the 10 UKCP colleges? I understand that it largely depends on your therapeutic approach - I have no idea what mine will be, which is why I decided to start from scratch with the Psychology MSc (even though this is not strictly a necessary step for psychotherapy training). Do some colleges have a better reputation than others? How do you figure out what your approach is going to be at such an early stage? Does it make a huge difference?

I can’t seem to find much in the way of insight on the training and career path from practising psychotherapists - if anyone knows of any useful websites or forums for discussion I would be grateful!

Thanks for reading!

I think a psychology degree is an excellent starting point for a career in the psychological professions, even if the role you go into doesn't require it. It also keeps more doors open for you should you wish to consider roles other than psychotherapy (especially if it is BPS accredited).

From my experience I think you are unlikely to cover the different therapeutic approaches in much depth during your degree, so would need to do your own research into these. This BACP A-Z of therapeutic approaches may be a useful starting point: www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/

The section on psychotherapy on this NHS Healthcare Careers webpage includes entry requirements and training information. I have linked to the wider 'Roles in the psychological professions' page so you can explore other, similar roles as well if you wish: www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies

In terms of discussion forums, if you join the BPS as a student member you could access the student community: www.bps.org.uk/members/online-communities

ClinPsy has a discussion forum for aspiring and qualified clinical psychologists, however, you may find it a useful place to discuss other careers such as in the miscellaneous board and they have a wiki on models and types of therapy which you may find interesting www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/

If at any point you are interested in a career in psychology such as counselling psychology, this BPS careers site is good careers.bps.org.uk/

Good luck with your course and future career.

What a kind and helpful reply, thank you so much for taking the time to write that! I will look at all those resources. I have recently joined the BPS but haven’t yet explored their site.

I’m definitely drawn to some therapeutic approaches more than others - I am an armchair existentialist - but there are bits of all of them that I find I agree with, and some of the descriptions sound downright obscure! I guess it will be a fun part of the journey.

Thank you again!

Lumie, is it specifically psychotherapy you are interested in as opposed to say counselling? Technically, a degree in psychology will not be helpful here. You will need to complete four-year training with 450 practice hours under supervision and some of the links may be helpful are below:

www.nspc.org.uk/about-the-school/nspc-news/how-to-become-a-psychotherapist/
www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/may/25/thinking-of-a-career-in-therapy-here-are-your-options (this one is good for understanding the differences between psychologist vs psychotherapist)

So it may be useful for you to start by clarifying what it is that you actually want from your career change - be able to work in the NHS? be able to work therapeutically with people? If it is psychotherapy you are after, the MSc psychology will be a detour you don't need if that makes sense. It will be research and theory based and will not give you any exposure to therapy if that makes sense or give you an opportunity for 1:1 practice in helping capacity if this is what you are after.

source of information - I am in the process of slowly changing careers from IT to becoming a counsellor and have looked extensively into different career options and what they require.

Thanks @coffeemonster28, I completely acknowledge that the MSc is a detour and not necessary for a career in psychotherapy. The reason I’m doing it is because it’s online only, and I can’t commit to any face to face training (let alone the 450 practice hour requirement, plus my own therapy etc) at the moment as I’m looking after my two children and am about to do a big house move. I thought the MSc would be a good way to get a basic academic grounding in the field in the meantime, until I can commit to psychotherapy training proper.

I would like to work therapeutically with adults, ideally in private practice although I would be open to NHS and other jobs (acknowledging that it’s early days and I’ve no way of knowing if that’s where I’ll end up).

I’m moving to the West Midlands and there are a couple of courses at Newham university which look good (I will probably do the postgraduate qualification as I don’t fancy doing a doctorate). I thought the MSc would at least keep my brain ticking over in the meantime.

I might also do the introductory counselling certificate alongside the masters if I can fit it in.