In 2020, we saw the approximate number of employed therapy professionals in the UK reach 211,300. The highest number seen so far.
Due to a greater awareness of mental health issues and the importance of good mental health, the number of people referred to talking therapies is on the rise. Last year saw 1.69 million people referred to these services. Confirming the need for more qualified therapists in the field.
One misconception surrounding therapy is that it’s only intended for those with serious mental health issues or severe trauma. When, in fact, you don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to receive support.
Therapy can be accessed by anyone who wants to learn to work through their challenges in a healthy way. Support can be accessed for free through the NHS providing you are assessed and have an identified need. However, sessions are often limited to help meet the growing demand. This can result in some individuals not fully resolving or working through their challenges. However, private treatment is available which can be accessed for as long as needed although rates can be high.
Each role in psychological therapies helps people with mental health issues. But each helps people with differing challenges, conditions and level of severity. As such, depending on the role you’re pursuing, you’ll need different types and levels of training.
Counsellor
As a counsellor, you’ll help people talk about their thoughts and feelings and help them to find ways they can make positive changes in life. You can help people with all kinds of issues, from marital problems, physical health conditions, low self-esteem to sexual identity. But there will also be a big part of your role that addresses mental health concerns. You’ll listen in a non-judgemental way, encourage and challenge where necessary to help clients process their thoughts and feelings. To become a counsellor, you’ll need a recognised counselling qualification at diploma or degree level. Other areas of counselling may ask for qualifications from other backgrounds.
Counselling Psychologist
A counselling psychologist helps people going through challenging life events, such as bereavement and relationship difficulties. As well as those with serious mental health conditions. They do so through face-to-face meetings over a period of time, where they utilise psychological therapies. To deal with more severe cases, they must obtain an accredited post-graduate qualification in counselling psychology.
Clinical Psychologist
A clinical psychologist diagnoses, assesses and helps patients manage a range of mental or psychical health issues. Helping to reduce the distress that stems from conditions like depression, eating disorders or addiction. Aside from psychological therapies, they’ll use their detailed knowledge of psychological theories and models. This helps them assess reasons for patient behaviour, contribute to management plans and advise multidisciplinary teams. To work in this area, you’ll need a post-graduate doctorate in clinical psychology, which involves an independent research project.
Forensic Psychologist
This fascinating field uses the study of psychology to understand criminal behaviour. Forensic psychologists for the most part work with offenders to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. But they also work with victims of crime, prison staff and parole boards. Their duties could be undertaking prisoner risk assessments, performing child protection work, or advising courts with expert evidence. You’ll need a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited post-graduate degree in forensic psychology, plus two years’ supervised practice for employment.
Health Psychologist
This profession aims to use psychology to understand people’s attitudes to and awareness of health issues. Identifying behaviours that are damaging to a person’s health like drug and alcohol abuse, a poor diet or smoking. Using psychological methods to support prevention or change behaviours which can help individuals self-manage an illness or cope with pain. Some health psychologists work in public health and encourage the wider public to exercise and eat healthily. For this role, you will need an accredited post-graduate qualification in health psychology.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT)
A cognitive behavioural therapist focuses on helping people identify unhelpful or negative thoughts and behaviours so they can challenge and work through them. They help people reflect on unhealthy patterns and devise healthier approaches to better cope with those situations. This is done through a mixture of techniques like dialectical behaviour therapy, rational emotive behaviour therapy, cognitive therapy among others. To become a cognitive behavioural therapist, you have to study an accredited post-graduate qualification in cognitive behavioural therapy. As well as have experience working in mental health.
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists work with adults or children and families to overcome challenges like eating disorders, depression, aggressive behaviour or family breakdown. It’s often referred to as a ‘talking therapy’ since they help clients explore and express thought processes, feelings and behaviours. They use psychological assessment tools and structured therapies with both individuals and groups to resolve problems. To become a psychotherapist, you need a degree in a relevant subject like psychology, social work or medicine. Which will allow you to progress to a post-graduate training course. This needs to be accredited by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC). You’ll also need experience working in a helping profession like nursing, social work or mental health.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist first becomes a doctor trained in medicine. They then specialise in diagnosing and treating patients with mental health disorders. Helping people with an array of challenges, from schizophrenia to bipolar and depression. Psychiatric disorders at times are caused by physical illnesses. Plus, patients with mental ill-health are at greater risk of physical illness. So, it’s vital that psychiatrists recognise mind and body symptoms. That way they can effectively evaluate and assess any risk to the individual. Devising treatment plans to help their situation which may include prescribing medication.
To become a psychiatrist, you’ll need to complete a degree in medicine recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC). Then two years of foundation training in hospital as a junior doctor, where you’ll work in various departments. After which, you can begin the six-year training in psychiatry.
These and other emerging areas of therapy provide an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of others. They may require different skills and qualifications, but each one requires you to relate to many people. Being patient and sympathetic as well as resilient enough to deal with emotionally charged situations.
If you’re reading this with the desire to pursue a career in therapy, we can help. Stonebridge Associated Colleges is a leading UK distance learning provider offering numerous courses relating to mental health.
From short courses and diplomas to Access to Higher Education Diplomas allowing you to progress to higher level study.
Browse our range of therapy relevant Access to Higher Education courses by clicking the link below.
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