Psychotherapist

As a psychotherapist, you would:

• build trusting relationships with individuals, couples or groups
•  encourage clients to talk about their thoughts, feelings and behaviours
•  help clients find ways to cope with their issues and to make positive changes
•  create and update confidential client records and write reports
•  keep up to date with theory and research

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to enjoy working with other people
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course

With experience, you could take on a training, teaching or mentoring role, or specialise in a particular therapeutic approach.

You might also become self-employed and set up a private practice, or move into academic research.