psychotherapist

**coolme** · 07-07-2007, 03:33 PM

hey people wht does it takes to become psychotherapist help me out!

**racheljane** · 07-07-2007, 07:46 PM

People often get confused between the terms psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychologist. A psychiatrist is medically trained (goes through med school, becomes a dr. etc) the other two are not. I understand that the terms are more interchangable in the US than in the UK and may mean different jobs there than we mean here. There are several good websites (Google something like 'careers') that can explain the difference in training and between the jobs. Here's a good link to start you off:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/...als_000358.htm

**coolme** · 07-07-2007, 07:53 PM

thnks rachel a lot

**!PsyChirurgus!** · 06-11-2007, 08:37 PM

I tried Googling it but it's not much of a help.

If a Psychiatrist can sub-specialise in Psychotherapy, and a Clinical Psychologist can also specialise in Psychotherapy then do both of them get the same amount of salary considering the fact that Psychotherapists have the same job specifications/description (or would they consider your previous academic background)? If so, then it won't be worth it if you go through the Medicine route, Foundation Years, etc etc. compared to just do the BSc in Psychology route then Doctorate if all you intend to do is just Psychotherapy?

Can someone clarify this to me? Many thanks!

**Roseofjericho** · 06-11-2007, 10:41 PM

Goodness, you don't have to do any of those things to be a psychotherapist. A diploma in counselling followed by further training in a psychotherapy discipline (such as Transactional Analysis) will do it. It does take time though, and you have to have several hundred hours of time with clients (often done for free, for university counselling services and the like) to qualify.

**Victoria09** · 08-11-2007, 03:34 AM

Very expensive too. You have to be in therapy yourself throughout.

**Buckets-and-Spades** · 08-03-2008, 01:17 AM

why do you have to be in therapy yourself??!

**Buffy** · 08-03-2008, 02:13 AM

Hi,
I am a psychotherapist. I am in private practice, what is it you want to know?

**Buffy** · 08-03-2008, 02:19 AM

Hi ,
Message me if you want to know anything. I'll advise you as much as I can. All the best.

**Buckets-and-Spades** · 09-03-2008, 06:08 PM

Hiya, I was just wondering why, as Victoria09 said, you have to be in therapy yourself if you want to be a psychotherapist....? Is this a compulsory part of the course?

I have seen 2 therapists (myself as a patient) and I think both of them required therapy themselves earlier on in their life....is this common? (it makes sense....that if you've been in therapy yourself you can relate to what other people are going through)

I know that that's why I'm interested in psychiatry as a career...because have had mental health issues myself.

Thanks for any help!