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Uni course to become a Psychotherapist?

I'm a little confused with which course I should take in order to become a psychotherapist? I know Psychology is required, but I had also hoped to take Sociology as well, but is it not needed? Or should I perhaps, take a combined course or just settle for split courses in psychology and sociology. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you. :smile:
Original post by Samiha_Chy
I'm a little confused with which course I should take in order to become a psychotherapist? I know Psychology is required, but I had also hoped to take Sociology as well, but is it not needed? Or should I perhaps, take a combined course or just settle for split courses in psychology and sociology. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you. :smile:


this might help.
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/psychotherapist_entry_requirements.htm

from what i ve read you have to do a masters degree in psychotherapy to become a one and from looking up masters they ll accept any degree for you to do the necessary postgrad qualifications so doing psychology and sociology ahould be a relevant option.
Reply 2
Most Psychotherapy trainings are run at post grad level and not all of them are within a university setting, in fact most aren't. You can find accredited training courses through the BACP website http://www.bacp.co.uk/accreditation/Accredited%20Course%20Directory/index.php?countyId=12 and UKCP http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/16/information/what-is-psychotherapy/how-to-become-a-psychotherapist. Hope thats helpful.
Reply 3
Original post by JaneKent
Most Psychotherapy trainings are run at post grad level and not all of them are within a university setting, in fact most aren't. You can find accredited training courses through the BACP website http://www.bacp.co.uk/accreditation/Accredited%20Course%20Directory/index.php?countyId=12 and UKCP http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/16/information/what-is-psychotherapy/how-to-become-a-psychotherapist. Hope thats helpful.

Thanks, JaneKent! Though, I suppose I'll need to have an undergraduate degree, before I do a training course. :smile:

Original post by claireestelle
this might help.
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/psychotherapist_entry_requirements.htm

from what i ve read you have to do a masters degree in psychotherapy to become a one and from looking up masters they ll accept any degree for you to do the necessary postgrad qualifications so doing psychology and sociology ahould be a relevant option.

Thanks, Claireestelle! I've heard I'd need a PhD in Psychology for it though. I suppose, I'll probably go for a combined course next year. Thanks, again!
Reply 4
Original post by Samiha_Chy
Thanks, JaneKent! Though, I suppose I'll need to have an undergraduate degree, before I do a training course. :smile:

Actually not necessarily, both East London and Metanoia as accredited (BACP) training AND undergrad degree at same time, but it is unusual :smile:
Original post by Samiha_Chy
Thanks, JaneKent! Though, I suppose I'll need to have an undergraduate degree, before I do a training course. :smile:


Thanks, Claireestelle! I've heard I'd need a PhD in Psychology for it though. I suppose, I'll probably go for a combined course next year. Thanks, again!


Just because no-one's mentioned yet but i'm sure you know that you need a BPS accredited degree to become a professional (educational/clinical/occupuational) psychologist, and some mixed courses are not BPS acreddited. To become a psychotherapist (which is separate to clinical psychology) I don't think there as many requirements.
Reply 6
Original post by JaneKent

Actually not necessarily, both East London and Metanoia as accredited (BACP) training AND undergrad degree at same time, but it is unusual :smile:

It's not? Well, I'll be sure too look into that before I make a final decision. Thanks. :smile:

Original post by iammichealjackson
Just because no-one's mentioned yet but i'm sure you know that you need a BPS accredited degree to become a professional (educational/clinical/occupuational) psychologist, and some mixed courses are not BPS acreddited. To become a psychotherapist (which is separate to clinical psychology) I don't think there as many requirements.

Oh, dear. I think I might have to do more research since I have no idea what a BPS is. :s-smilie: Do you think you could maybe explain a little, I'm a little confused? :/ Thanks.
Reply 7
BPS-British Psychological Society http://www.bps.org.uk. Like iammichealjackson says this is the organisation you would register with if you were planning to end up a clinical psychologists. Some psychologists are trained to work clinically with individuals in a therapeutic environment and are known as clinical psychologists. You typically find clinical psychologists in hospital and clinic settings. You first need a psychology degree, and then train at post graduate level. This is a very competitive career.

Psychotherapy is a little different, and can be a confusing field as there are so many models, each have their own training. You don't need a psychology degree. BACP trainings are 2 years plus and UKCP are 4 years. Once qualified you can work one to one and in other settings.

Don't worry it is a bit confusing.
Reply 8
Original post by JaneKent
BPS-British Psychological Society http://www.bps.org.uk. Like iammichealjackson says this is the organisation you would register with if you were planning to end up a clinical psychologists. Some psychologists are trained to work clinically with individuals in a therapeutic environment and are known as clinical psychologists. You typically find clinical psychologists in hospital and clinic settings. You first need a psychology degree, and then train at post graduate level. This is a very competitive career.

Psychotherapy is a little different, and can be a confusing field as there are so many models, each have their own training. You don't need a psychology degree. BACP trainings are 2 years plus and UKCP are 4 years. Once qualified you can work one to one and in other settings.

Don't worry it is a bit confusing.

Oh okay. Thanks so much for clearing that up! Some universities that I've been looking at have mentioned the BPS, I was wondering if that means it would be the same as the BACP training?
Hi I'm a current student at UCLan and we actually offer a degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy which you can find at:
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/ba_hons_counselling_and_psychotherapy.php

We also offer postgraduate courses in Psychotherapy with BACP accreditation for further study. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about the course feel free to contact the admissions team at: [email protected]
Original post by JaneKent
BPS-British Psychological Society http://www.bps.org.uk. Like iammichealjackson says this is the organisation you would register with if you were planning to end up a clinical psychologists. Some psychologists are trained to work clinically with individuals in a therapeutic environment and are known as clinical psychologists. You typically find clinical psychologists in hospital and clinic settings. You first need a psychology degree, and then train at post graduate level. This is a very competitive career.

Psychotherapy is a little different, and can be a confusing field as there are so many models, each have their own training. You don't need a psychology degree. BACP trainings are 2 years plus and UKCP are 4 years. Once qualified you can work one to one and in other settings.

Don't worry it is a bit confusing.


Original post by Samiha_Chy
Oh okay. Thanks so much for clearing that up! Some universities that I've been looking at have mentioned the BPS, I was wondering if that means it would be the same as the BACP training?


BPS is the professional body of psychologists and regulates psychology as a profession. If you want to work as psychologist you need be eligible to be a BPS member. Note that psychology and psychotherapy are different professions just like medicine and biomedical science are.

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