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Woman in Therapy

Psychotherapist and Course Lecturer

Key skills/talents
Psychotherapist

  • A fundamental interest and keen awareness of people and their behaviour

  • A capacity for study and continued learning

  • A fully open-mind to all types of people and all backgrounds

  • The ability to relate to a wide range of people

  • Excellent listening skills

  • Excellent verbal communication skills

  • Excellent written skills

  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Sensitivity and understanding

  • Patience and the ability to let others go (and talk) at their own pace

  • The ability to work on your own as well as in consultation with others

  • A responsible, professional approach, respecting the confidentiality of patients

  • Emotional resilience and maturity

  • Self-awareness of your own behaviour plus the ability to tailor that to different types of people.

  • The ability to empathise with others and make positive relationships quickly

  • An openness to addressing issues of prejudice and oppression

Key skills/talents cont...

To become a (psychotherapy) lecturer you will need all of the above, plus:

  • A fundamental interest in teaching and the ability to design suitable course work for the required standard of education

  • The ability to use your initiative and think/adapt on the spot

  • The ability to work well with others of all ages and backgrounds

  • To be able to use a computer and the appropriate main software packages competently

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​Qualifications required

To work as a psychotherapist, it is essential to pursue recognised training. Typically, this involves having an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and/or being a qualified and experienced healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, mental health nurse, or social worker.

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In addition to educational qualifications, obtaining a spot in a psychotherapy training course requires demonstrating relevant experience.

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The training program for a psychotherapist typically spans four years, integrating academic study with supervised clinical training provided by various organisations.

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The clinical training component involves intensive patient treatment conducted under supervision. Throughout the training duration, there are ongoing clinical discussions that blend theory and practical application. Concurrently, participants are expected to undergo personal therapy to enhance self-awareness and develop interpersonal skills.

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To work as a psychotherapy lecturer, typically, a first-class or upper-second-class degree in a field related to your desired teaching subject is a prerequisite. Additionally, having completed or working towards a postgraduate master's or PhD qualification is required, with a common expectation of having academic work published (or in the process of being published).

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Gaining experience can be facilitated by taking on teaching responsibilities during postgraduate studies, and some universities offer positions as graduate teaching assistants. This happened for Jen towards the end of her course.

To qualify for a lecturer position, it is essential to have teaching experience at an undergraduate level. Typically, this experience is gained during doctoral study, as PhD students commonly instruct classes as part of their academic training. By the time they seek an official lecturing role, they generally boast a minimum of three years of teaching experience within a university setting.

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Candidates are encouraged to complement their PhD teaching by engaging in private tutoring, preferably at the undergraduate level. This not only showcases their dedication to education but also allows them to refine their skills, better equipping them for a future career in higher education.

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Rules and regs

The UK Council for Psychotherapy has a code of ethics and professional practice by which their members must abide by; and they sit under the following headings:

  • Best interests of clients

  • Professionalism

  • Communication and consent

  • Records and confidentiality

  • Professional knowledge, skills and experience

  • Social responsibility

  • Trust and confidence​

https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/media/bkjdm33f/ukcp-code-of-ethics-and-professional-practice-2019.pdf

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Bizarrely (unless our research is wrong), there is no statutory regulation of psychotherapy in the UK and adhering to a code of ethics is voluntary: https://counsellingtutor.com/professional-practice-for-counsellors/counselling-and-the-law

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As always on TWW, to practise as a private Psychotherapist, you’ll need insurance:

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Lecturers, however, like anyone in the teaching profession, must have clearance from an enhanced DBS check: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record.

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Below are other useful links relation to regulation & legislation for anyone in the teaching profession:

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Although not a necessity, many insurance providers offer Teacher & Tutors Insurance: https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/small-business-insurance/teachers-and-tutors

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Remuneration framework

Salaries for psychotherapists range geographically, as always, and increase with years of experience. Typically psychotherapists earn between £35k and £55k a year, but with your own private practice and with many years of experience, these figures could easily double/triple: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/psychotherapist-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm

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How to get started

As previously mentioned, you will first need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject or have qualified as an experienced healthcare profession.To become an accredited psychotherapist you must complete a postgraduate qualification that is recognised by one of three professional organisations:

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Here is a link to a list of masters degree courses in the UK: https://www.postgraduatesearch.com/pgs/search?course=psychotherapy&qualification=msc

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Jen chose the person-centric course from Nottingham specifically because of its unique approach to learning and development; so do you research with every course and really read about what it offers you. Here is a link to Jen’s specific course: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/taught/person-centred-experiential-counselling-and-psychotherapy-ma

Another great link for getting started is: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/psychotherapist

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Once you have completed your masters, you must decide what route you want to take for work. Your options are roughly:

  • Work in the NHS - a much needed but sadly hugely underfunded sector.

  • Go into private clinical practice, and join an existing private clinic.

  • Set-up on your own and run your own private clinic (from your home or ANOther workspace).

  • Go into the research side of things and complete a PHD and embark on other funded research -  lots of psychotherapists do this their whole career alongside practice work.

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To go onto teaching/lecturing, then as we’ve already stated, you will need to embark on some teaching during doctoral study for a PHD, which in itself happens upon completion of your masters/post-graduate degree.

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Jen is, in fact, mid her PHD, and as part of that is deep within a funded research project… Alongside her own private practice, and alongside teaching, and alongside being a mum to her 10-year-old son… so not much really?!

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Associations or official bodies to register with

The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society is the professional home for talking therapists, representing and supporting counsellors, psychotherapists, the public and the profession: https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org

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The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the UK's leading professional body for the counselling professions: https://www.bacp.co.uk/membership/home

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The Counselling Directory has a list of more associations, some of which are more specialised: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/accreditation.html#registrationaccreditation

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The Society for Education & Training is the only professional body set up for  educators within the Further Educational field: https://set.et-foundation.co.uk

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Job site links

The NHS has a jobs area where roles are advertised: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/search/results?keyword=psychotherapist&language=en&skipPhraseSuggester=true

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BACP also has a ob search area on their website: https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Jobs

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The British Medical Journal has job adverts, too: https://healthjobs.bmj.com/jobs/counsellor-psychotherapist

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Jobs for lecturers can be found on the Times Higher Education website: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listings/united-kingdom/lecturers-assistant-professors

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And the Times Educational Supplement also lists jobs: https://www.tes.com/jobs/browse/lecturer-united-kingdom

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Progression pathway​

As we have already touched on, there are a number of ways to take your career in psychotherapy. From (say) starting in the NHS and then moving on to private practice, or even starting in a group practice and then setting up your own practice. All of which can also be done alongside a PHD and funded research work.

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Lecturers may aspire to advance in their careers by progressing to the role of senior lecturer and course leader, like Jen has done.

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Additionally, psychotherapists have the option to pursue the Advance HE Fellowship, which is an official acknowledgement of their skills and expertise. The fellowship offers various grades based on individual experience: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/fellowship

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