What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a talking therapy modality that aims to help people overcome limiting thoughts and negative habits. Psychotherapists look at the root cause of a patient's problem by looking at their lifestyle, behaviour, relationships and environment that have contributed to this problem. This cognitive therapy provides many benefits for a client's mental health and wellbeing such as:
- Improved empathetic skills
- Reduced toxic and negative thought processes
- Restored relationships with family and friends
- Improved communication skills
Psychotherapists help people who are experiencing any mental health problems such as:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Phobias
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Addiction
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorders
- Depression
- Trauma
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Eating disorders
The two main accreditation bodies that assist psychotherapists in the Brisbane region can join once they finish their education include:
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PCFA)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Should you complete a psychotherapy course?
Are you looking for a fulfilling career path where you get to help people overcome problems that are inhibiting them from achieving a positive mindset?
If this is something that you want to get out of your career, pursuing an educational pathway in psychotherapy is the perfect next step for you! The characteristics that help improve your ability to succeed as a psychotherapist include:
- A curious mind and a drive to learn about the concepts of psychotherapy and how it varies according to different conditions.
- High levels of patience and empathy in order to build trust and strengthen the professional rapport with your clients.
- Attentive listening skills to obtain an accurate understanding of all the aspects in the person's life that are contributing to a negative mindset and mental health problems.
- High levels of patience when dealing with clients who might require some time before they will open up their problems.
- Clear verbal communication skills where you can explain to clients the different coping mechanisms and strategies that they should adopt.
If you see an alignment between your skills and career objectives, continue reading to discover the different psychotherapy course options available near you in Brisbane.
What are the course and study options for psychotherapists in Brisbane?
Becoming a psychotherapist in Brisbane is a long-term commitment in terms of your educational journey. To achieve the end goal of becoming a professionally qualified psychotherapist you will need to complete both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree. For your undergraduate degree, you have the option to complete a Bachelor of Psychology or a Bachelor of Counselling. Once you finish this, you will then need to finish a Master in Psychotherapy.
In Brisbane, higher education course providers offer a variety of options that suit your preferred learning pace and schedule. This includes on-campus, online or blended learning delivery modes.
During your educational journey, you will learn about a variety of topics such as theories counselling, mental health and the practice of a therapist. You will also need to complete a clinical training module alongside your studies. This is a great opportunity for you to build your professional experience under the supervision and guidance of a professionally trained psychotherapist.
At the top of this page, you will find some psychotherapy courses available in Brisbane. Once you have examined all your options and shortlisted your favourite ones, you can get in touch with the course provider with any further questions you may have regarding their curriculum, fees, delivery options or accreditation. This will assist you in the process of choosing the school best suited for your needs.
What happens after you complete your psychotherapy course in Brisbane?
Once you have completed your Master's degree, you will be able to commence your professional career as a psychotherapist in Brisbane and join a professional membership association. Some of the workplace settings that are available for you to join as a graduate include:
- Group therapy practices
- Mental health clinics
- Rehabilitation clinics
- Psychiatric units
- Private therapy practices
If you are interested in becoming self-employed, starting your own private practice might be the best option for you. This allows you to have more control over your working hours and business management. Natural Therapy Pages can assist you in driving traffic to your services and growing your client base. This can be achieved by listing your face-to-face psychotherapy services or online consultations on the website.
Once you get more clarity of your career goals, you will be able to enrol in further training and education. This will allow you to achieve these professional aspirations. One such option that is available to you is enrolling in a Doctor of Counselling. This will improve your job prospects especially within the field of research or academia.
