What is a Psychological Therapist?
Psychological Therapists have an innate understanding of the human mind and use this skill to explain patients’ behaviour or help to overcome mental difficulties. Many of the problems tackled by psychologists include:
- Children facing parental divorce
- Anger management
- Overcoming anxiety, depression and stress
- Aiding recovery from a traumatic injury/experience
- Coping with grieving the death of a loved one
- Managing chronic illnesses
- Ensuring students are being taught effectively
- Assisting the police and courts (Forensic Psychology)
Bearing in mind the complexity of the human mind and the problems it can encounter, there is an endless list of reasons why a patient may need the help of psychotherapy, and it is, therefore, a very rewarding profession.
How do you become a Psychotherapist?
Practicing psychologists must undergo years of hard work and training to become qualified in their chosen field. Although a psychology A Level is not necessarily needed for studying towards a degree, it would benefit a student with a great head start. To gain a place on an undergraduate psychology course, applicants need to show good literacy and numeracy skills plus a demonstrable grasp of scientific studies. On completion of an undergraduate degree, a doctoral degree in psychology demands full-time study of at least 3-4 years.