Psychotherapy Degree

Psychotherapy is based on the theory that the unconscious mind influences the conscious self. While there are still a lot of opposing views in this field, the ideas and methods introduced by psychoanalytic thinking have contributed a great deal to the practice of experimental psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology and modern day psychotherapy.

This field offers a diverse set of career paths. To enter into it, you will need to start looking for psychotherapy degrees and colleges that offer various forms of it.

Psychotherapy Programs

Depending on your prior qualifications and future career plans, you can consider the various degree options within the field. Most college and universities’ psychology departments treat psychotherapy as one aspect of a very complex and varied field of psychology and mental health treatment. However, there are several universities that offer psychotherapy degree programs, at all levels of education.

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychotherapy

A Bachelor of Arts in Psychotherapy would typically take around three to four years to complete, and would include courses relevant to personal development through personal therapy, process group work and supervised clinical practice in the later years.

There are no particular prerequisites that you need to have taken for this degree. A high school diploma or a GED would typically be enough.

This degree would help students in:

• Starting a career as a psychotherapist or a professional counselor
• Gaining counseling and psychotherapy experience with actual clients
• Using research-informed experiential models of therapy

Psychotherapy Master’s Degree

A master’s degree in psychotherapy prepares students to analyze the ideas, behaviors and emotions that patients show during therapy sessions. They use this analysis to determine the mental state of these individuals and help them with any unresolved subconscious conflicts.

To be eligible for admission into a master’s program in psychotherapy, you need to have earned a bachelor’s degree in any academic background. Most universities do not place a requirement for the major at the undergraduate level; however, some colleges might require you to have a basic understanding of concepts of psychology.

The coursework will vary greatly with your area of specialization and might vary from university to university as well. However, on the whole, it will most likely include subjects such as the following:

• Fundamental psychoanalytic theory
• Analysis techniques
• Abnormal psychology
• Child psychology
• Clinical evaluation and treatment
• Mental health and multi-cultural trends

In addition to these courses, a master’s degree typically includes a thesis at the end of the program.

PhD in Psychotherapy

There are not many universities in the United States that offer a doctorate program in psychotherapy. However, there are programs that offer a component that focuses on psychotherapy or a related science. Students are given the opportunity to take part in clinical research, participate in clinical practice and choose and work on a dissertation topic.

To be eligible for a doctoral degree in psychotherapy, you should at least have a bachelor’s degree. Some universities may require students to hold a master’s degree, or coursework equivalent to a master’s degree in the related subject area.

As a part of this degree, the courses you would typically study would include:

• Freudian psychoanalysis
• Psychoanalytic research
• Dream interpretation
• Human mental development
• Jungian psychoanalysis

Psychotherapy Courses Online

There are several colleges and institutions that offer psychotherapy courses and certifications online. Many institutions offer blended learning certificates in counseling and psychotherapy. This online option allows students to explore the subject area at their own pace, from home. Course material is delivered online with ongoing tutor support.

Some psychotherapy programs are 100% online, while others might be offered in a hybrid format. Hybrid programs usually include on-campus classes over the weekends, where interpersonal communications, personal development and application of theory are explored. Experienced lecturers ensure the quality standards of these weekend workshops.

Careers in Psychotherapy

There is a vast set of career opportunities for people in this field. The sort of career path you end up in will be heavily influenced by the level of education you have achieved and the skills and expertise you can bring to the table. Popular career options with a psychotherapy degree could include:

• Psychoanalyst in private practice
• Psychology professor
• Consultant
• Senior mental health research associate

There are many other potential career paths that you could go for. This is not an exhaustive list.

Requirements to Become a Psychotherapist:

A few things you need to keep in mind before you embark on the journey to become a psychotherapist:

• Education requirements may differ by state
• The minimum required education is typically a doctorate degree
• License is required to practice as a psychotherapist. All candidates must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
• Some states might require students to fulfill residency requirements with a licensed psychotherapist
• Depending on the state, psychotherapists might be required to complete continuing education courses in order to keep their license current

As a psychotherapist, your typical work activities would include:

• Conducting individual sessions with clients
• Encouraging the clients to talk about their emotions and behaviors
• Administering group sessions with people undergoing therapy
• Keeping updated with the latest developments in the field of psychotherapy
• Networking within the health professional community to maintain continuity of work and a strong client base
• Evaluating therapy outcomes and considering potential options for improvement

Skills Required by a Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists have a major contribution to make in the alleviation of distress and depression, along with the development of the individuals. They deal with people from various walks of life, coping with a variety of personal problems including trauma, depression, personal and career choices, and relationships. Good counseling skills also come in very handy  and can play an important role in job satisfaction.

This line of work involves a large amount of communication between patients and co-workers. Therefore, it is very important for these professionals to possess strong speaking and listening skills. In addition to that, patience and trustworthiness are also essential aspects of the patient-counselor relationship. Psychotherapists should ideally also be able to develop keen analytical, observational and problem-solving skills.

So if you have all these skills, along with the drive to help people, start considering the psychotherapy degree options available to you.

 5 Famous Celebrities Who Went to Psychotherapists:

• Gwyneth Paltrow: In 2011, Paltrow talked about how she sought help for postpartum depression after the birth of her son in 2008.
• Catherine Zeta-Jones: She received treatment for Bipolar II Disorder in 2011.
• J.K. Rowling: The world famous author has spoken out about how clinical depression consumed her.
• Jennifer Garner: Garner sought help after her first marriage ended.
• Brooke Shields: Shields has been very open about seeking treatment for postpartum depression.