To want a therapist with a PhD

[GalGadont]

It’s always been my understanding that you see a therapist or counsellor, not a psychiatrist or psychologist, for stuff like mild depression (rather than severe problems). However I find some counsellors, to be really frank, not that bright, and it’s not really clear to me how rigorous or thorough their training is. WIBU to want to see someone with the fullest qualifications (privately, I obviously wouldn’t expect an NHS referral)? Do people do this? How do you find someone?

Not meaning to offend anyone: I’m sure there are good counsellors, but I’ve felt like there’s something missing in my experience so far. If I’m having to pay anyway, it feels like I might as well be paying for someone with the most thorough grounding and knowledge.

I'm on the fence with this one... I have a PhD, and while I largely agree, experience matters.

I'd take a 60 year old masters, over a fresh PhD grad any day!

I know what you mean. I wouldn’t go to someone who didn’t have a postgraduate qualification in it. My two previous counsellors each had a PGDip and an MA. I found them on here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/

The counsellors qualifications should be listed on their pages.

As a psychotherapist, I know there’s a lot of counsellors and psychotherapists out there and you don’t even need A-levels let alone a degree to practice as a counsellor! My first clinical supervisor didn’t have a degree and, without wishing to come across as an arsehole, it was obvious he was lacking when it came to theory and he just wasn’t at my level.

A clinical psychologist - highly trained. I don't think there's much of a difference in price ime

Of course for superior people, it is difficult to deal with those regarded as beneath you- how in their mundane lives, could they hope to understand your high level problems?
Is there a special therapist list for the smug and intolerable?

I felt the same OP, you can pick you who like based on whatever criteria makes you comfortable.

Try looking for a counselling psychologist.

Honestly it depends what you need them for. Do you need a psychiatrist? Or psychologist? Or a therapist? Therapists should be BACP accredited to work in the NHS really.

I never, ever had good therapy till I met my current psychologist. She got her Phd 25 yrs ago. But it's not just that she's already a Dr; I think the enquiring mind and pursuit of excellence from her youth has stuck with her. She's taken so many further courses, keeping up with new theories and techniques of treatment.
I think (decent) counselling definitely has its place but for people with serious mental health conditions like mine there's no substitute for a really well qualified psychologist.
This woman diagnosed my complex trauma within the first hour of meeting me and has not only treated it but also educated me about it in depth. Everyone else I'd tried before never saw past my bipolar. She's literally saved my life.

I confess my thoughts were on these lines.

The best counsellors are very experienced, able to both support and challenge, and able to retain empathy even when their clients are twatty.

I wouldn't think a PhD would make anyone more or less likely to have the human qualities needed.

I'd look for experience.

ClinPsyD would be preferable to a PhD. But it also depends on what you need and their area of expertise.

I am quite shocked by the number of people who set themselves up as a 'counsellor' or 'therapist'. Someone I vaguely know has relaunched her career as a 'counsellor' .. her website is full of spelling mistakes ... links to her FB page where she has lots of unsuitable photos and comments ... totally embarrassing to think anyone would use her as a professional counsellor.

Do you mean phd or doctorate? A doctorate is the professional qualification for clinical, counselling and educational psychologists.

I had a psychologist with a PhD and she was the best counsellor I ever had. The others were lovely but I just found her next level.

What makes you do this? A lot of us are fed up with snarky remarks ruining interesting discussions. I would love to know the psychology behind it.

A clinical or counselling psychologist would be a good option, a counselling psychologist will be the more ‘therapist’ type.
a psychotherapist and have a degree in psychology and a four year masters in psychotherapy. Most psychotherapists should have similar but unfortunately anyone can use the title. Also lots of training centres don’t require a relevant degree to begin training.
counselling training (which I also completed first) is two years and level 4, roughly a level standard. It’s fine for creating a safe space, but not training for therapy.

I'd like to know who is best to see tbh - I've only had one good counsellor, several appalling counsellors and CBT is just such a waste of my time (3 attempts in person, 1 online).

I'd like someone to help pick things apart and sort my crap psychological responses to what's happened etc. I'm wondering whether EMDR is what I need to deal with the intrusive thoughts side of it as its all about errors I've made or decisions I regret etc!

I think it’s a lot down to experience, and yes of course some people are smarter than others, same as in any other walk of life. I’m not sure a phd in itself is going to help much.

Look for someone who has been a psychotherapist FT, for a long time, rather than someone who does it as a PT. Not to say that there aren’t good people in the latter group, but if you look amongst people for whom it’s a life’s work you are more likely to find someone able to take a deeper dive. UKCP is a good place to start - you need a psychotherapist not a counsellor.

Talk to half a dozen - usually people just don’t interview enough therapists to let their gut instinct kid in. Do a bit of research on their method before you talk, so you can ask them how they’d work with you, and be prepped so you can be clear with them about what you want to achieve, why their biog and specialism appealed to you, how you think you want to work, and what hasn’t worked previously.

The fact that to become a ‘counsellor’ you don’t need any previous qualifications, just need to be 18 years old, and can complete a level 2 course in 160 hours, says to me they’re not likely to be rigorously qualified and certainly not experienced. I’d put them on a par with another ‘professional’ I’d never give any time to - a life coach (seems to me to be a job made up for and by people who don’t have qualifications and need a job).

I’d much rather spend my money on a clinical psychologist. Someone with some actual knowledge and understanding.

Another valuable contribution from you. 😂

Thanks very much to everyone who’s offered helpful suggestions. Where would you look for a list of private clinical psychologists in your area?

It depends imo. If you’re looking for a private psychotherapist then you’d look on the BACP register, for example.

I have had about a decade of intensive psychotherapy and have a master’s in the field. Experience is the main thing I’d look for. I also don’t think academic intellect is a key predictor of someone’s success as a therapist. As one of my classmates memorably said at the time, it’s not about wanting to fuck their brain.

I think you mean an MD rather than a phd

If you want someone who's had a rigorous training that was academically and personally challenging (so they've sorted out their own stuff thoroughly!) look on the BPC website for a psychoanalytic psychotherapist.

You'd need a PhD first.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Agree though that you might need to understand the qualification to know what you are looking for. Doctorate/PhD. Both highly regarded. I agree also though that PhD doesn't automatically mean that they will be the best/any good if they don't have soft skills as well.

It sounds like you think a lot of your own intelligence. I'm not sure it's reasonable to expect this level of qualification for the rate councillors / therapists are paid. I'm also not sure why you have decided this is the best level of qualification? Was it just the highest you could think of?

Is there one for the terminally aggressive and chippy?