Mental health professionals use various types of therapy to address a wide range of mental health issues. Certain types of therapists, such as psychotherapists, employ a number of treatment modalities in their treatment plans. A psychotherapist offers a range of services to assist people experiencing emotional issues and behavioural problems. Read on to learn more about their role and whether psychotherapy training is worth the effort.
What is Psychotherapy?
Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy is defined by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), the governing body for psychotherapy practitioners in Australia, as a relational way of healing and transforming a person’s behavioural patterns to improve their wellbeing.
A psychotherapist seeks to holistically improve an individual’s psyche by addressing their emotional, behavioural, relational, existential, and even spiritual issues.
While they deal with clients who suffer from mental illnesses or substance abuse, a psychotherapist also works with people who are perfectly healthy but dealing with emotional pain resulting from trauma.
There are different forms of psychotherapy, but all of them typically employ a range of treatment options for a variety of mental health concerns, such as the following:
Psychotherapists also provide family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and other relevant mental health services to provide psychological and emotional support to their clients.
Is a psychotherapist the same as a psychologist?
While both occupations deal with mental health conditions, the scope of a psychotherapist’s job is broader than that of a psychologist. The primary focus of a psychologist is to analyse why people think, feel and behave the way they do using a set of scientific parameters in order to assist people in dealing with behavioural issues.
A clinical psychologist has a doctoral degree in philosophy, but they are not authorised to prescribe medical treatments for mental health disorders.
Is psychotherapy a rewarding career?
For the right person, psychotherapy is an empowering career that allows you to help others change their lives from within. However, despite the industry’s potential for job satisfaction and a six-figure salary, psychotherapy often falls under the radar and is constantly overshadowed by its more widely known cousins, psychology and counselling. Because of this, finding the right information has never been more important or difficult.
Are you a good fit?
If you thought psychotherapy was essentially an easy, high-paying job that only required chit-chat with clients, you might be disappointed to learn that not everyone is cut out for the job. As a psychotherapist, you have to be a good listener, patient, empathetic, and willing to form a long, genuine relationship with your client.
Relevant academic studies and work experience are key to qualifying for the job. In fact, learning never stops for a psychotherapist. You have to undergo continuing education to keep abreast of industry practices.
If this is something that you are willing to do wholeheartedly, then you’re all set to earn the qualifications of a psychotherapist. The steps below will take you through various educational programs you may consider, schools that offer them, and other ways to make you a competent psychotherapist.
1. Take a psychotherapy course
If you wish to become a registered psychotherapist, you have to study and gain professional qualifications. Taking a certification program, diploma course, bachelor’s or master’s degree will give you an in-depth understanding of the principles of the study. It will also take you through various communication strategies that will facilitate the healing of your clients.
You have the option to complete a psychotherapy course or a relevant training program, such as counselling or psychology. After graduating, you must pursue a graduate or master’s degree in psychotherapy.
2. Enrol in an accredited school
You want to study at a college or university that is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia’s regulatory agency for higher education, because you want nothing less than a quality education. Aside from knowing that the school you’re attending is regularly evaluated by the government, you can rest assured that graduates of accredited learning institutions have better job opportunities.
The following psychotherapy schools deliver top-notch training and in-demand qualifications:
- The Face and Body Interpreter’s certification program provides students with knowledge of the mind-body connection and its role in psychosomatic therapy.
- Soul Embodiment Psychosomatics offers courses that delve into the connection of past and present thoughts to what the physical body is experiencing at the present. What’s more, it offers students the option to study on campus or online.
- Healing Dimensions provides training courses that equip students with knowledge and skills in various types of psychodynamic therapies, preparing them for a career in psychotherapy or counselling.
3. Join a Professional Body
Apart from your qualifications, another thing that matters to potential clients and employers is your professional affiliation. Joining an accredited psychotherapy organisation such as PACFA or the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is a surefire way to grow your career by leaps and bounds.
There’s no denying that becoming a psychotherapist is hard work. If you decide to go through with it, Natural Therapy Pages wishes you the best of luck and will be here to help you along the way with helpful resources to ensure your success.
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Originally published on Jul 22, 2020 Professional Counseling
About
Matriculation through the M.S. Professional Counseling program provides graduate level training for students interested in preparing for a career in professional counseling in a variety of educational and community settings. The Professional Counseling faculty are committed to facilitating students’ achievement of their career goals, and our students find work in K-12 schools, college counseling and career counseling centers, non-profit community mental health agencies, hospitals, and private practice settings. Our vision is to prepare competent practitioners who advocate for their profession and act as agents of personal, family, group, community, and social development.
The M.S. programs in Professional School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Houston-Victoria are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP was formed in 1981 in cooperation with the American Counseling Association (ACA) to promote the advancement of quality in counselor education programs and grants accredited status to graduate-level programs in the professional counseling field. Matriculation through a CACREP accredited program ensures students will receive quality instruction, clinical experience, and the ability to form a distinct professional identity as a counselor. In addition, students graduating from a CACREP-accredited program qualify to take the National Certified Counselor Exam, used by most states for LPC licensure. For students pursuing a doctoral degree, graduation from a CACREP accredited program will meet application preferences in doctoral programs in counselor education.
- Students who complete the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Texas.
- Students who complete the Professional School Counseling track meet the educational requirements for the Professional School Counselor Certificate (K-12) in Texas. School Counseling track students also meet requirements to apply for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC ) credential in Texas prior to August 1, 2017.
Program Mission
The mission of the Professional Counseling Program at the University of Houston-Victoria is to educate, train, and mentor students from diverse backgrounds to earn a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Professional School Counseling. UHV students are primarily drawn from urban and rural areas close to the Victoria Texas or Greater Houston region. The UHV Professional Counseling faculty members expect students to engage in academic and experiential learning, to develop a strong professional counselor identity, to develop multicultural and diversity sensitivity. The faculty members are committed to promoting the development of student competence in the provision of counseling, professional advocacy, social justice, and community outreach.
Program Admission
The Professional Counseling Program within the College of Education and Health Professions follows specific admission procedures for the Master of Science degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with specialty concentrations in Professional School Counseling and/or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The GRE is not required. Admissions requirements are based on an evaluation by the program’s admission committee of the following information:
1. Application: Complete online at Apply Texas before or on Jan1. Only the following applications will be accepted for the Professional Counseling Program at UHV:
– EDU Clin Mental Hlth Counseling MS-Professional Counselor (LPC)
– EDU Clin Mental Hlth Counseling MS-Marriage/Fam Therapist (MFT)
– EDU Clin Mental Hlth Counseling MS-Prof School Counselor (PSC)
– EDU Prof Counseling (Post Grad) Professional Counselor (LPC)
– EDU Prof Counseling (Post Grad) Prof School Counselor (PSC)
2. Official Transcripts: Official transcripts of all non-UHV coursework and degrees conferred. Send transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions & Transfer Credit, [email protected].
3. Criminal Background Check: Completion of a background check. The Professional Counseling Background Check should be completed and mailed to:
Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Division
P.O. Box 15999
Austin, Texas 78761
Submission Instructions: Applicants must send their request to the Crimes Records Division and address the response to University of Houston-Victoria / College of Education and HP with the address provided in the form. This form must be received by the College of Education by the Feb 1 deadline. It is highly recommended that applicants get this step completed as early as possible to allow for a timely deliverance.
4. Statement of Purpose: The must be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12-pt font. The length of the statement should be 1-2 pages maximum (250-500 words) and should address the following criteria:
1. Applicants should include their full name, UHV student ID (which will be received a few days after the Apply Texas application is completed) on the statement of purpose.
2. Your professional goals and the reason you are pursuing education and training in professional counseling, rather than in another mental health discipline (such as psychology, social work, or counseling psychology). Header: “Professional Goals”
A. Describe any significant life events and how they have contributed to the development of your professional goals.
3. Your major strengths and weaknesses with respect to being admitted into this program. Header: “Strengths & Weaknesses”
4. Your perspective on diversity including a) how would you contribute to and benefit from the richness of our Professional Counseling Program, and b) how would you increase inclusion of diversity in the counseling profession. Header: “Diversity”.
Submission Instructions: Applicants must upload their statement of purpose (in PDF format) to their PeopleSoft account by navigating to MyUHV then enter their UHV ID and Password and click Sign In. Emailed or post mailed statements of purpose will not be processed.
5. Recommendation Forms/Letters: Submission of (3) Professional Counseling Recommendation Form and (3) corresponding recommendation letters are required. Each of the three recommendation forms must have an accompanying recommendation letter that addresses your potential for success in the profession and your ability to complete a graduate program. Each form must be completed it its’ entirety, and each letter must provide clear evidence that addresses the candidate’s potential which will enable the individual to become a counselor. Forms and their corresponding letters of recommendation should be from an academic source, preferably a professor or academic official who is familiar with your academic history and achievement. If you have been out of school for several years, recommendations may come from your employer or supervisor. Recommendations forms are allowed to be signed digitally and MUST be submitted by the applicant.
Submission Instructions: Applicants must upload their recommendation forms and letters (in PDF format) to their PeopleSoft account by navigating to MyUHV then enter their UHV ID and Password and click Sign In. Emailed or post mailed recommendation forms and letters will not be processed.
6. Program Interview: A program interview with UHV graduate faculty in professional counseling. The purpose of the interview is:
(1) to assess personal qualities useful for graduate and eventual professional work as a counselor; (2) to clarify questions that the committee may have about applicant’s admissions materials; (3) determine whether the applicant’s professional goals are in alignment with the objectives of the program; and (4) to share more information about the program with applicants.
If application materials are deemed satisfactory, applicants will be invited to interview with the admissions interview committee.
All applications must be complete to be considered for admission. All students must gain entry to the Professional Counseling program, School Counseling and/or Clinical Mental Health Counseling, through the admission procedures listed above. Graduate admission to UHV does not ensure students will be admitted to the Professional Counseling Program.
Program Application and Interview Schedule
- Term of Admission: Fall
- ApplyTexas Application Deadline: January 1
- MyUHV Admission Material Submission Deadline: Feb 1
- Program Interviews: March
- Admission Notifications and Registration Opens: April
Due to adherence to faculty-to-student ratios, applicants may be accepted and waitlisted for spring or summer admission. Registration timelines are set by the UHV Registrar’s Office and are subject to change We encourage you to explore our web site. You may contact any of our faculty to inquire about the M.S. in Professional Counseling.
If you have questions about the COUN program and admission requirements contact Philip Garza at [email protected]
If you have already applied for admission and have questions about the status of your admission materials contact the Office of Admissions & Transfer Credit at [email protected].
UHV Professional Counseling Faculty
Karyna García, Ph.D.
Professional Counseling Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Professional Counseling
Phone: (361) 570-4816
Katherine Bacon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Professional Counseling
Phone: (281) 396-3715
Christine Beliard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Professional Counseling
Phone: (361) 570-4371
Sneha Nayar, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Counseling
Phone: (281) 396-3724
Monique Rahman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Counseling
Phone: (361) 570-4848
Wayne Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Professional Counseling
Phone: (361) 362-5013
