How Does One Become A Psychotherapist?

The clinical training to become a Psychotherapist takes a minimum of 4 years (part time) and is the responsibility of each training institution to decide when a trainee is fit to qualify. In general, to work as psychotherapists, individuals will need to undertake training recognized/accredited by the Association of Psychotherapists or equivalent. As part of the training required by the AP, all applicants are required to undertake personal analysis with a Psychoanalyst or Training Psychotherapist. Through analysis students begin to understand their own unconscious infantile conflicts and so are enabled to understand the conflicts in their patients. There are no retraining grants available to train as a psychotherapist, although it may be possible to secure a bursary from a training organization. Training in psychotherapy is a long journey that may take up to six years.