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.

Yanbu

I think it depends what you mean by a Therapist.

But FYI it is not hard to be a councillor. Just do dome "Access" BS course and you are a councillor.

Do it is not surprising you thing some councillors are a bit in the dense side.

It's not a protected term so in theory anyone can be a counsellor without a single qualification. However doing so a completely unethical. That's why finding a therapist who is accredited by a membership organisation such as the BACP means you can be certain the therapist has had a rigorous training and adheres to an ethical framework in their practice. There are many good counsellors out there who don't have PHDs. In face the vast majority won't have this level of qualification as it isn't necessary to practice. Someone with this high level of qualification maybe able to conduct excellent research but may not have brilliant counselling skills.

I'm a counsellor with a diploma. My training took four years part time, although it was full on with mentoring then counselling placements, weekly personal development groups over three years, about 5 5000 word essays, 60+ hours of personal therapy, observations and a research project as well.

I have twice-weekly professional supervision and I undertake around 50 hours of CPD (training workshops) a year including.

As a single parent and carer with a disability, I couldn't afford the master's degree qualifications. I did train at the same time as a very old friend who did a master's and our reading lists for our courses were almost identical — her training involved far fewer essays (a lot less assessment on theory than my diploma involved, just reflective practice essays, which mine had also); hers did have a research thesis rather than a project, though that can be left out and the qualification then becomes a pgdip.

In terms of academic ability, I do have two previous master's degrees in different subjects and a degree from Oxford.

The master's degree qualifications and the level 4/5 diplomas aren't very different other than the details above.

A PhD, of course, is a different matter entirely. It does involve a lot more theory, but similar skills practice and personal development from what I've seen in prospectuses.

If you search on directories, you can usually see where someone has a PhD, as therapists with those will usually advertise them there. Also, a psychoanalyst will have many years of intensive training, so might be more what you're looking for.

For people worried that counsellors don't have much supervision/regulation, check they're with an accredited body: most directories only allow registered therapists who have monthly supervision and insurance to advertise.

Counselling is unregulated in the uk so literally ANYONE can be a therapist if they practice privately. However if you want to be a member of the BACP (which is the case for pretty much all counselling jobs) then it’s actually a pretty long and thorough process. I’m a counselling student and the usual pathway is a say 6 week part time course, then a 32 week course, then either a part time 2 year diploma at uni or college during which you have at least a year of placements. During this last course you need to have supervision (which you may pay for) and private therapy for yourself (again self funded) so it’s really not something most people would put themselves through if they weren’t passionate about becoming a counsellor or capable.

Odd post.

A well trained and experienced level 7 (Masters) should be more than adequate, but it depends on the modality - person centred is quite different to integrative for example - as to who you would find a good fit with. However, most modalities actually have similar outcomes.

I'd look at the training institute they are from as well (although it would be hard for someone searching for a therapist with no background knowledge to know where is good and where isn't).

Maybe you should seek out the PhD thesis of your potential therapist and see how that relates to your particular problem before making a judgement.

PhDs are useful and valuable qualifications, especially if you are involved in project management or research but that is not to say that someone who has one will be better at dealing with one particular issue than someone who does not have one and has years of experience dealing with that issue.

I'd suggest that if you have to pay someone to listen to your problems, you're in no position to pass judgment on anyone.

PHD or not.

You do realise that therapy isn’t only about someone listening to the client, I hope?

I do think there's a lot of be said for life experience: it can be the case that people with more accessible/affordable training such as diplomas might come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, giving them more insight into clients with similar backgrounds.

Not that there won't be people with diverse backgrounds in master's programmes also, just that diplomas open access to people who can be excellent therapists, but for whatever reason weren't able to go to university.

Sometimes you just need people to see you . I saw three psychiatrists during my breakdown ( had a stay in a mental health unit) and only one of them I totally trusted and felt understood by. Others were dismissive and one I felt judged by. If the initial psychiatrist had understood me and realised how bad I was feeling i might not have got to crisis point. Find a therapist you trust that is the key to getting better. ( and medication)

Christ, what an ignorant post 🙄

A clinical psychologist is at least £130 per hour!

I probably wouldn't choose a clinical psychologist unless they had undertaken further training in psychotherapy or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. There is no requirement for clinical psychologists to have undergone any therapy themselves as part of their training.
I would choose a psychotherapist who was registered with the UKCP or BPC as I think they both have the most rigorous standards. Or a therapist with a doctorate in counselling psychology.

I’d suggest that since you’re clearly in the business of passing negative snooty judgment on people who go to therapy, I really fucking hope you’re not a therapist. PhD or not (but I’m going to take a wild guess not).

I've had a decade of psychotherapy. My therapist is wonderful, I'm only alive because of her and more than that she's helped me rebuild my life and navigate some 'normal' difficult times (e.g. death of a parent, early months motherhood etc) despite being classed as being 'treatment resistant' according to the NHS. She does have an MA in a relevant field now but didn't when we started working together. Don't think it's reflective of my 'academic ability' given I've just passed my own PhD (in an unrelated field).

I've had a lot of mental health input and I don't think beyond a certain level it matters what the qualification level is, it's more important that the therapist and client 'click' on a therapeutic level.

I think having training and experience in the modality you prefer is probably more important than having a PhD, but your free to choose whatever qualifications you like if you are self-funding.