Psychotherapist
Listen to people talk about their feelings. Guide them to think about their experiences so they can become happier.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£673
Entry level
£962
Experienced
Monthly
£2,917
Entry level
£4,167
Experienced
Yearly
£35,000
Entry level
£50,000
Experienced
2,700
people are currently employed
Low growth
100 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would listen to people talk about their feelings and encourage them to think about their experiences.
You’d guide them to examine their emotional responses and actions so they can work out how to deal with emotional or relationship problems and become happier.
You would use a variety of techniques and therapies, rather than drugs or physical treatments, with each person.
You would:
Encourage people to talk about their experiences so they can explore their problems
Analyse past events and behaviours so they can make changes
Assess their way of thinking and their feelings
Help them develop new ways to cope and deal with life
You could work with adults or children, individually and in groups.
People would sometimes be distressed so you’d need to ask them questions sensitively. You’d need to have the confidence and develop the skills to explore painful issues with clients. It would be important to be non-judgemental and build trust and rapport with a wide range of people.
You might also do training with other professionals such as social workers.
Sometimes people might tell you things that are upsetting but you’d need to be able to separate your own feelings from those of your clients. You would probably get your own support from a mentor at regular supervision sessions.
There are different types of psychotherapy, known as theoretical models or theoretical approaches. These include:
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Therapeutic counselling
Psychoanalysis
Hypnotherapy
The approach you use will depend on the clients you work with.
Hours
Environment
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy – careers information
UK Council for Psychotherapy - Advice on becoming a UKCP-trained psychotherapist
British Psychoanalytical Council - Courses and training provided by the BPC
Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists -Advice on how to train for this specialism
Disclosure Scotland – more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- understanding
- analysing
- attention to detail
- social conscience
- empathising
- researching
- written communication
- verbal communication
- listening
- supporting
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Care
Human Biology
Psychology
Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies - RMPS
Most psychotherapists are graduates who have experience as medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers or academics.
You would need an honours degree (SCQF level 10) in a relevant subject such as psychology, social work or medicine, and a postgraduate qualification in psychotherapy (SCQF level 11).
To enter a psychology degree requires minimum of Highers at BBC and selection of Nationals or equivalent.
Courses must be approved by one of these organisations:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
British Psychoanalytical Council (BPC)
Council of Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA).
Once you have graduated, then membership of one of the psychotherapy professional organisations and registration on an approved psychotherapist database is recommended.
If you study a BACP-accredited course, it leads to membership and entry to the register on the approved psychotherapists’ database.
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