Psychology/Psychotherapy and further training

[Theteaishot]

Hi everyone

Does anyone on MN know of the process to becoming a registered Psychotherapist or CBT therapist in the UK?
I am thinking from my research that I would start with a Psychology degree and then I would complete a master’s after? I have been reading that Psychotherapy involves a PHD however I am unsure. Im 29 years old and I could potentially stop working for a few years to study however I would not be able to stop working for 6+ years. I could definitely manage 3 years of uni, then go part time while I do my masters.

Does anyone have a pathway as the websites I’ve looked into don't specifically say.

Are there any roles straight out if uni or is Psychology a career that definitely requires further study at least at masters level?

Look on the BABCP website as well as this reply for CBT therapist because I know there is a few routes I am unfamiliar with, but essentially either a clinical psychologist or someone who already has a relevant core profession as an HCP (OT, MH nurse mainly) can train further and apply for accreditation (training hours, practice hours and supervision hours) (most non clinical psychologists now do this through an IAPT course run by their employer in conjunction with a uni.) Clin psych is a doctorate and very competitive to get on. I think there is an accreditation route for counsellors now too to become cbt therapists.

Mental health nursing or OT straight out of uni, or band 4/5 Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.

Which degree would be best to start with Psychology, Nursing, Midwifery, or specifically Mental Health Nursing? I’ve been accepted to study one of these in September however I am willing to try and change it.

For CBT would I need a masters or PHD?

Or is the training route available largely through IAPT services?

It's really not straightforward to explain, you need to look at all the detail. There is no such thing as a CBT qualification, but you need to make an accreditation application to the BABCP to be accredited (you don't have to be accredited to 'do cbt' ). Psychology degree does not really qualify you for any psychological therapies or get you a guaranteed place on a clin psych doctorate. OT can get you a career in mental health. I don't know about general nursing vs mental health nursing, but the latter can get you a career in mental health of course. I don't know about midwifery. Yes, the iapt route for hcps is the main route.

It feels like it would be worth exploring a bit what kind of job/ work environment you're aiming for - eg private practice or NHS or other organisation.

PhD in Clin Psych is as others have said v competitive but may be worth finding out about if you are aiming for NHS.

If you are aiming for private practice, there are good training programmes that are part-time so you could continue to work, but the cost can be considerable. CBT can always be done as an add-on qualification. Much more important to get the foundational training including your own psychotherapy. Most good training programmes lead directly to either BACP or UKCP accreditation. You can get NHS with these too.

You need to start by figuring out what it is you actually want to do and where/how - NHS? private practice? counselling? Psychotherapy? Research? CBT? because right now you're mixing up a number of different careers

This article clarifies the different paths and even though it's from 2017 it's still relevant www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/may/25/thinking-of-a-career-in-therapy-here-are-your-options