What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a form of cognitive therapy that focuses on assisting individuals that have difficulties with overcoming mental health or emotional issues. Psychotherapists try to determine the root cause of the problem by looking at how an individual's lifestyle, behaviour, relationships and environment have contributed to this problem. They then propose coping mechanisms that would be the best way for their clients to deal with this.
Psychotherapists help people who are experiencing any mental health problem such as trauma, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, depression, addiction or schizophrenia. This treatment is beneficial for a client's long-term wellbeing as it assists them by:
- Improving their empathetic skills
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Improving their communication skills
- Restoring relationships with family and friends
- Removing toxic and negative thought processes
- Building positive behaviour and habits
The peak bodies for psychotherapists in Melbourne are the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PCFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Should you complete a psychotherapy course?
Psychotherapy is perfect for anyone who is looking to improve the quality of life of others. Additionally, some of the characteristics that help improve your ability to succeed as a psychotherapist in Melbourne include:
- Excellent communication skills to be able to explain clearly the different strategies and coping mechanisms that clients should adopt.
- Empathy is a vital way to build trust and get a better understanding of the life experiences and situations that a client is going through and how it would affect their mental health and behaviour.
- Strong understanding of the core concepts of psychotherapy and how it varies according to different conditions.
If there is a correlation between your skills and career objectives, continue reading to discover the different course options available for you in order to start your career as a psychotherapist.
What are the course and study options for psychotherapists in Melbourne?
Becoming a qualified psychotherapist is a long-term commitment that requires you to dedicate extensive time and effort to achieve this goal. The minimum requirements are that you complete a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling or any related field in conjunction with a Master's degree in psychotherapy. To make it easier for you, many course providers in Melbourne offer a variety of options to accommodate your different study needs and schedule. This includes the offerings of a variety of different delivery methods such as on-campus, online or blended learning systems.
While studying psychotherapy you will be introduced to how to assist people to respond to challenges in their lives by controlling their behaviours and emotions. Furthermore, these degrees go over in-depth on a variety of different topics such as counselling, therapy and mental health. You will often be required to complete a clinical placement which is around 80 to 100 hours in addition to your coursework.
If you are ready to commence your journey as a psychotherapy practitioner, you will be able to find a list of different course and study options available for you in Melbourne. If you have any further questions about their curriculum, delivery streams or fees you can get in contact with the course provider directly.
What happens after you complete your psychotherapy course in Melbourne?
Once you finish your degree it is highly encouraged that you register with one of the peak bodies for psychotherapists as it allows you to gain access to important industry and regulatory updates as well as offer you opportunities for networking and professional development. Moreover, psychotherapists have the option to work in a private therapy practice, a group therapy practice, a rehabilitation clinic, a mental health clinic or a psychiatric unit.
Once you gain some experience and feel confident with your ability to treat others as a psychotherapist, you can start your own private practice. This will give you more flexibility when choosing the hours that you work. If this is an option you decide to pursue in the future, Natural Therapy Pages will be there to help you by letting you list either your in-person psychotherapy sessions or online sessions on the practitioner listing page.
Moreover, you can also complete a Doctor of Counselling after completing your studies and gaining a couple of years of experience. This will allow you to further develop your knowledge of psychotherapy and even have the opportunity to become a professor in psychotherapy.
