How to Become a Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists fall under the umbrella of practitioners who provide therapeutic interventions to help people maintain their mental health.

Psychotherapy is an effective therapeutic intervention; 75% of patients who use psychotherapy demonstrate improvement in their mental health symptoms (American Psychological Association, 2012).

Because of how effective psychotherapy is at promoting well-being, practitioners often look to specialize in psychotherapy or add it as a mode of therapy to their existing practice.

How to Become a Psychotherapist

Psychotherapy is talk therapy that helps patients with mental health conditions or quality-of-life issues (Schultz, 2021).

The foundation of psychotherapy is to ensure that the patient’s well-being is at the forefront of the client–practitioner relationship. Psychotherapists accomplish this by continuously evaluating the outcomes of each session and their impact on the overall treatment plan (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, n.d.).

To learn what it takes to become a successful practitioner, including the personal and professional qualities needed, we strongly recommend reading our On Becoming a Therapist guide.

The guide offers a comprehensive overview of the education required to pursue a career in psychotherapy or any other therapeutic discipline. It gives an in-depth analysis of the personal characteristics that could lead to success in therapeutic professions.

The book is an excellent resource for individuals considering a career in psychotherapy or another therapeutic profession to start learning more about what is required to pursue this career.

Qualifications & Degree Requirements

People often wonder how psychotherapists and psychologists differ.

To help you understand, we have provided specific characteristics that differentiate the two professions below.

Clinical psychologists require an undergraduate degree based in psychology. They will then have to pursue a graduate degree (master’s, doctorate, or both) in clinical studies to become certified. Since clinical psychologists can diagnose patients with psychological disorders or conditions, their training is more specialized (Schultz, 2021).

They are also required to do academic research alongside their clinical training and practicum to help develop their analytical skills.

A psychotherapist can pursue an undergraduate degree in any discipline and apply for a graduate program in psychotherapy following the completion of their degree (Cherry, 2020).

Most of their expertise in psychotherapy is developed through a combination of coursework and theory, followed by practicums where they gain hands-on experience.

Psychotherapy programs are much more flexible than traditional clinical psychology programs. Some psychotherapy programs require students to do research alongside their training, while others focus on coursework and practical experience.

It is important to look at the guidelines for pursuing a career in psychotherapy, as they may differ based on where you are located. A good starting point is the International Association for Counseling, which lists all the major counseling and psychotherapy organizations worldwide. Use their tool to locate a psychotherapy governing body near you and determine the specific requirements for training and practice.

Training in Psychotherapy: 6 Best Programs

Psychotherapy programs can be specialized and focus on specific populations and specialties or have a more generalized curriculum.

Regardless of the approach, effective training in psychotherapy requires a combination of coursework rooted in specific therapeutic techniques, as well as multiple opportunities for candidates to practice the skills they have learned.

Below, we have listed a few graduate programs that provide these opportunities for students.

1. Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research (PsyD) – Columbia University, New York, USA

This institute offers several options for pursuing a career in psychotherapy at the doctoral level.

There are four programs meant for practicing psychologists and social workers to develop their skills in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy.

The four programs include:

• Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Parent–Infant Psychotherapy
• Transference-Focused Psychotherapy

Each of these programs takes one to two years of full-time study to complete.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. or PsyD to participate, as all four programs are rooted in research and individualized supervised practice that provides comprehensive training in psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Students will treat patients using psychotherapeutic techniques while receiving supervision and guidance from accredited professionals.

All the programs offer a combination of seminars and individual instruction to help students develop the advanced skills necessary to practice psychotherapy.

The programs are accredited by the American Psychoanalytic Association and Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

Find out more on their website.

2. Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Concentration in Somatic Psychology (MA) – California Institute of Integral Studies, California, USA

This program is one of three in the United States that uses a combination of conventional psychotherapy and body-oriented approaches to work holistically with patients.

The program takes roughly two to three years of full-time study through a combination of remote and in-person coursework. Alongside coursework requirements, students complete 50 hours of somatic psychotherapy.

Somatic psychotherapists explore the bodily sensations that patients experience when forming their identities and interacting with others. Students will be taught about traditional psychotherapeutic techniques through body-based and verbal means of intervention (e.g., breathwork, massage, movement exercises, and expression).

A combination of these approaches can be an effective means of working with patients who have experienced post-traumatic stress, disassociation, and identity issues.

The curriculum prepares students for accreditation and careers in counseling psychology in private and professional settings.

Find out more on their website.

3. Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Psychotherapy – The Institute for Clinical Social Work, Illinois, USA

This master’s degree is strongly rooted in psychodynamic perspectives and has an emphasis on clinical practice.

Psychodynamic therapy involves interpreting mental and emotional processes rather than focusing on behavior (Ackerman, 2017). The program takes about two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study.

Their educational approach has a strong focus on mentorship and real-world experience, emphasizing the importance of clinical practice and placement hours.

Courses are more generalized to the practice of psychotherapy, but students have the option of pursuing specialties such as couples and family psychotherapy and child and adolescent psychotherapy. There is also an online distance program.

Find out more on their website.

4. Master of Science in Psychotherapy (MSc) – McMaster University, Ontario, Canada

McMaster’s program prepares students for a career in psychotherapy with a specific emphasis on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The program is full-time and takes approximately 20 months of study with 400 practicum hours. Students complete nine classroom-based courses and two clinical practicum courses.

This program is more generalized, as students are required to complete general courses on mental health and wellness and psychotherapy principles and research. They are also required to complete more specialized courses in CBT, with the option of completing elective courses in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to become more diversified.

Practicums are general and can take place in healthcare, social work, or school settings, based on availability and student interest.

Find out more on their website.

5. Master’s in Counseling and Psychotherapy (MSc) – Keele University, Staffordshire, UK

This program equips students with the skills to become counseling practitioners.

The program, including coursework and 100 hours of counseling practice, takes approximately one year full-time or two years part-time.

It takes a person-centered approach, teaching counselors how to develop a relationship with patients where they feel safe, valued, and challenged. To achieve this, the program includes courses that are humanistic and person-centered by emphasizing reflection, personal development, and exploration through counseling approaches.

Students are also offered tutor-led training in practical counseling skills to help them gain comfort with their placements.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredits this program.

Find out more on their website.

6. Master’s of Psychotherapy (MPsyT) – Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

This program offers candidates the option to complete a more general approach to psychotherapy or gain a specialized master of psychotherapy with a focus on children and adolescents.

The program takes two years full-time or five years part-time and includes a dissertation component, meaning that students are required to engage in independent research alongside their coursework and practicum.

Besides offering a broad spectrum of coursework for the general psychotherapy program, including general courses on psychotherapy practice, it also offers courses specific to children and adolescents.

A few of the courses specific to practicing with children and adolescents include a focus on working with parents and enhanced observational skills. It also offers a specific course in Maori healing practice in connection with psychotherapy.

Upon completion of either program, students are eligible to apply for accreditation through several organizations, including the Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand and the New Zealand Psychotherapists Association. Graduates of the child and adolescent program can apply for accreditation through the New Zealand Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists. This is the only university in New Zealand that offers a child and adolescent psychotherapy designation.

Find out more on their website.

3 Online Courses & Programs

With the growing need for flexibility and easy access to professional development opportunities around practitioners’ busy schedules, there has been an influx of online programming.

Online programs allow practitioners to upskill without having to commit to coursework or commute to a physical location.

The courses and programs listed below are relevant for certified professionals looking to upgrade their skills or learn more about integrating psychotherapy into their current practice.

1. The Complete Life Navigation Masterclass Series – PositivePsychology.com

This positive psychology program gives participants full access to nine masterclasses that teach mental health practitioners science-based approaches to improve their practice.

Using a sailboat analogy that puts the client in the captain’s seat, this course offers an introduction to positive psychology, as well as additional courses on key skills to help clients and practitioners, such as helping clients realize their resilience, helping clients become motivated and achieve their goals, building positive relationships, and developing emotional intelligence.

Although this course is not specific to psychotherapy, it is an excellent tool for practitioners to broaden their practice and learn new techniques that will ultimately enhance their client’s journey into self-improvement and increased well-being.

2. Diploma of Applied Psychology and Counseling (specializing in the practice of psychotherapy) – Kelowna College of Professional Counseling

This diploma program is geared toward mental health practitioners and university graduates in a mental health field (e.g., counseling, psychology) who are looking to integrate psychotherapeutic techniques into their practice.

The program specifically focuses on applying psychotherapy techniques to help treat more long-standing mental health issues.

Consisting of 16 self-paced courses, the program is expected to take up to a year to complete. It offers courses in psychotherapeutic techniques, professional and ethical challenges, clinical assessment, and treatment planning. In addition, the program allows students to engage in self-reflection and study surrounding their therapeutic approach informed by research and experience.

Find out more on their website.

3. Certificate Course in Counseling and Psychotherapy – Institute of Mental Health

This introductory course builds a foundation for practitioners looking to develop an understanding of psychotherapeutic techniques and methods.

It is suitable for practitioners in the mental health field, as well as healthcare professionals (e.g., nurses and nurse practitioners) who are looking to gain a foundation in psychotherapeutic techniques. The course is 18 weeks online and comprises 36 hours of instruction. Discussion time is also included.

Since this course applies to a wide range of practitioners, it includes specific connections to different mental health conditions and provides students with information on how to address conditions such as depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder, and self-harm.

This program also offers a case study course where students are given different case studies and asked to plan their responses using psychotherapeutic techniques.

Find out more on their website.

A Take-Home Message

Psychotherapy is a broad therapeutic area that can make a difference in your patient’s well-being and open them up to talking through difficulties they might be experiencing.

Learning and practicing psychotherapy can make a vast difference in ensuring positive patient outcomes, especially if your patients respond well to open dialogue and conversation.