To study psychology or psychotherapy?

RoiSoleil

Hello,

I am very interested in pursuing a career in counselling/psychotherapy. I am certainly coming from the perspective of the wounded healer and have benefited greatly from psychotherapy myself. I've read the sticky post but didn't find answets to my main questions.

I am currently considering the part time courses available in DBS specifically the Hdip in psychology and the Hdip in psychotherapy and counselling followed by the MA. I am a little confused as I am very interested in counselling but have been advised that there are more job opportunities as a psycholgist. I am a little unclear as to the nature if any of the overlap between these two areas. I would be grateful if anybody could answer some of my questions.

1. What exactly is the difference between training in psychology and training in psychotherapy/counselling?

2. I have been told that the job prospects are better with a qualification in psychology. Could anybody confirm this or offer more information?

3. Looking at the course content, there doesn't seem to be much about counselling in the psycholgy Hdip. Has anybody any experience of this.

4. My real interest is in the counselling/psychotherapy area. If i were to do a Hdip in psychology (to improve job prospects) what could I do next to specialise in counselling/psychotherapy ie. train as a counselling psychologist?

5. What are the job options for psychotherapists or psychologists apart from private practice?

I am aware that psychotherapy can be difficult to make a lving at from I've read here and heard from others. As already mentioned, I was told studying psychology was a better option job wise but I'm not sure if studying psychology will allow be to be a counsellor.

Many thanks in advance.

bisset

A primary degree in psychology is a requirement for professional training in counselling psychology or clinical psychology. If you want to work in the public health sector, i.e. HSE or a HSE funded organisation you would need a post graduate qualification in counselling psychology or clinical psychology. Many people who study psychotherapy already have a qualification in nursing or something else that means they can access work in the public sector. A qualification in psychotherapy would probably limit you to working in the private sector. Sorry if the above is a bit jumbled. I hope it is of some help.

RoiSoleil

bisset wrote: »

A primary degree in psychology is a requirement for professional training in counselling psychology or clinical psychology. If you want to work in the public health sector, i.e. HSE or a HSE funded organisation you would need a post graduate qualification in counselling psychology or clinical psychology. Many people who study psychotherapy already have a qualification in nursing or something else that means they can access work in the public sector. A qualification in psychotherapy would probably limit you to working in the private sector. Sorry if the above is a bit jumbled. I hope it is of some help.

Hi bisset. That's actually really helpful. Thanks a million.

Jimmy Bottlehead

bisset wrote: »

A primary degree in psychology is a requirement for professional training in counselling psychology or clinical psychology. If you want to work in the public health sector, i.e. HSE or a HSE funded organisation you would need a post graduate qualification in counselling psychology or clinical psychology. Many people who study psychotherapy already have a qualification in nursing or something else that means they can access work in the public sector. A qualification in psychotherapy would probably limit you to working in the private sector. Sorry if the above is a bit jumbled. I hope it is of some help.

The above is very helpful alright.

OP, I was in a similar position to you and am coming to the end of the 2 year H.Dip in Psychology in DBS. I chose psychology over psychotherapy & counselling as my aim is either Clinical or Counselling Psychology. I'm aiming for those as from personal experience, I feel they offer the best set of tools with which to help a client or patient. While I don't discount other therapists or counsellors, my personal experience has led to me to find counselling psychology the most beneficial approach.

However, please be warned that the above is a long, hard road. Both the D.Clin.Psych and D.Couns.Psych programs are three year full time doctorates. Counselling Psychology students receive no funding and have to finance the program themselves. Clinical Psychology students have to sometimes try for years on end to gain entry and competition is fierce as the HSE give a salary and the fees are largely reduced.

I already regularly doubt it'll work out for me, but its what I want to do and I don't want to take another option because it may be easier. Almost everybody working in the field who posts / posted here seemed to have experienced that, but I guess if you want to pursue a career which can potentially be very damaging to a client, you have to prove how bad you want it and how seriously you take it.

Either way, best of luck and hopefully we'll both be posting here someday while working within the field

mechanical aid

Im just finishing up a introductory course to the psychology of counselling in NUIG and i have found it hugely beneficial to me personally.It is a very personal choice to study either.Psychotherapy is a lot more about therapy-personal therapy and group therapy and reading theory and case history.To my knowledge you can become a clinical psychologist within the HSE and know very little about psychotherapy and have had very little personal therapy.They both have their good points and you could do both...i realised after a lot of research,reading and some great lecturers over the last year that i need some therapy first to understand myself and motivations defences fears etc before saving the world...im going to UCC to study philosophy and english in september(hopefuly) so down the road i may consider psychotherapy training once im comfortable within myself!

I cant post links for some reason but google these for some info

This video may help-What is psychotherapy anyway? A dialogue between psychoanalysts youtube


The UCD pychotherapy course page..HDip to 4 years Msc


Trinity...psychoanalytic-studies

Irish Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

tivoliinstitute.com

All the best and i hope you end up where you want to be.