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Pathway to becoming a therapist

5 replies

aspirationaltherapist · 18/04/2023 13:01

Hi don't want to disclose too much, I'm worried I'll get told I'm incapable here but I want advice and I know that Mumsnet is amazing a lot of the time. I've name changed because I literally make no secrets about who I am but I'm insecure because this is a dream.

Very keen to become a therapist particularly working with families and relationships

I have noticed there are a variety of routes into this sector but I feel some qualifications and accreditations are more desirable

In terms of training what is important to you and also if you are a therapist and did an amazing course can you please send me this information? Thank you so much

OP posts:
CBTTherapist4 · 18/04/2023 13:12

Hi. As well as being a qualified CBT therapist I hold counselling skills level 3 and I'm a registered social worker. It depends on what type of therapist you want to become.

If you want to become a couples therapist you'll need to qualify as a counsellor first, and then do additional training in this. Relate offer the training. You can often do the first few levels of Counselling Skills as a night class, then when you reach level four and five you'll need to get a placement in a service I believe.

I'm a CBT therapist, it's quite a long pathway. You can either do a psychology degree then train as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner via the NHS and then step up a few years later into CBT training, which is mostly funded by the NHS placement you're in (you apply for a trainee PWP and then trainee CBT post both of which pay you while you train), or a core profession (nursing, social work, occupational therapist) and then CBT training via the NHS once you have enough experience. Or you can pay privately but you must ensure the course you access is properly accredited so you can register with the BABCP at the end.

As a private counsellor, once you're qualified, you can charge £50-80 per hour depending on area, but bear in mind that you're not guaranteed clients and this of course doesn't cover time spent preparing for sessions, writing notes and researching. As an NHS therapist counsellors get paid on a band 5 salary, CBT therapists a band 7.

Is there a reason you want specifically to work with couples and families? What's your current experience in the area/qualifications?

Here's some info on becoming a counsellor: https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training/

If you haven't already done any relevant voluntary work I highly recommend that to ensure it's something you'd actually enjoy doing for a career. I volunteered for the Samaritans for a decade and it was invaluable, both in confirming what I wanted to do longterm (I'm in my thirties now) and in giving me myriad skills to draw upon in the job/job interviews.

There are loads of 'courses' online you can do called 'diplomas' that are literally meaningless so watch out for those. I once went to a counsellor who claimed they were qualified in CBT. As a CBT therapist I was a bit confused when at the first session she gave me a self help book to go through by myself. I checked the register, nada. Turns out she'd done a two day 'course' on CBT and was now calling herself CBT qualified. Don't waste your money.

You could also consider contacting some local private counsellors/CBT therapists/couples therapists and asking if they're open to providing some info on pathways into the career, by paying for a session. I'm always happy to coach people on how to get into this role as it can be quite a convoluted and long journey and it's not always easy to know how to get there unless you know someone who does it! I don't work privately though.

Training to become a counsellor or psychotherapist

Recommended training routes to ensure you gain the skills and experience to practise safely and competently

https://www.bacp.co.uk/careers/careers-in-counselling/training

aspirationaltherapist · 18/04/2023 13:23

@CBTTherapist4

This information is totally priceless I can't get over how kind you are to have spent the time to write all of that for me.

I don't volunteer yet and I am young, I am 30. The reasons for me wanting to work with relationships is because I love helping people but also I have made bad life choices and I have learnt from them. I don't want to use CBT, I don't know enough to be able to elaborate on it other than in my own experience I found it defeating and it didn't help me.

I currently see a therapist and I think that she is incredible. I have been told by people for years I would be an amazing therapist because I care and listen.

I noticed about these day courses and they made me worried. I thought this would be a sort of 7 year journey to get there, not two days on a zoom. I want to make a meaningful difference not waste peoples time.

I have had addiction in the past too and it's something I'm interested in working with

I see the access to education courses have some classes that last about a day or an evening like you said so I could get more of a taster on it. It's very early but a dream and I just love to help people and if I can give one person one trick to change their life then it's worth it

Sorry for the emotional rather then practical reply

I'm going to look at everything you have told me

Thank you. So much. Xx

OP posts:
Satsumastocking · 18/04/2023 13:29

If you're just beginning and looking into pathways, I'd suggest a level 1 listening skills course. I did that and loved it so went on to do levels 2 and 3 in counseling skills as a foundation and went on to train from there. Adult ed colleges sometimes have evening courses in listening and counselling skills.
Those don't qualify you to be a therapist, but are a first step and can help you gain voluntary roles as a mentor for example, which will be useful for applying for training.
There are specific training places for family and child therapy, such as Place2Be in London, which have specific entry requirements also.

CBTTherapist4 · 18/04/2023 13:32

Hi! You're very welcome. Always lovely to see new people keen to enter the profession!

Yes, it will be a long journey to get there.

A taster is a good idea and something you can talk about in interviews for courses.

If you've experienced problems with addiction in the past maybe you could look into some sort of peer support worker role as staff or a volunteer in a recovery service? I volunteered in prisons in rehabs for a while in my early twenties and that was so helpful for my development too.

I qualified as a therapist at 28 but many, many people come into it later in life, there are so many pathways.

I'm sure others will have some helpful guidance too, good luck with it. Agree with Satsuma re doing the levels 1, 2 and beyond in counselling skills as a starting point.

Theemptychairismyshadow · 18/04/2023 14:10

Hi name changed for obvious reasons if you are on FB, the counselling tutor podcast page has free podcasts on this subject. Again start with level 1 have a taster and see what you think. You can get advanced learner loans if on low income. Level 2 and 3. Make sure the courses are accredited. If you go on the bacp website it can tell you where the courses are. It's not an easy journey but very rewarding. Also think about why are you doing this and for who. Enjoy your journey!

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