Become Psychotherapist & Open Practice - ACCREDITED CERT

During this lecture you will understand what is 'psychotherapy' based on various definitions. We will also discuss here why some people reject therapy before even 'trying it out'. Though we will also have a look at the possible reasons for seeking psychotherapy and counselling. 

Finally, we will have a look at the various benefits that psychotherapy can offer to the client, and compare them to those that they can derive from being 'counselled' by their friend or family member. 

From the previous lecture now you know that psychotherapy involves conversation or talking that takes place between a mental health professional and the client. You know that the aim of that conversation to help the client to understand their own thinking patterns, emotions and behaviours, and to find ways to alleviate own psychological issues and challenges. 

So what is 'counselling' then? And the main question is 'what is the difference between the two'?

In this lecture we will have a look at the various reasons for why some people reject therapy before even trying it, but we will also discuss the various possible reason for seeking psychotherapy. Of course some people will have no idea about psychotherapy whereas others have some prior experience with it. Both of these groups may or may not accept or reject psychotherapy when it is offered. 

During this lecture we will be discussing the importance of setting up a successful therapy from the start, and this involves - creating comfortable therapeutic environment, using 'listening skills' at the professional level, and establishing positive relationship with your client from the start. 

There are many aspects are involved during this process, and they are all important. For example, finding the right level of light and noise in the room, or checking what your client would see once they sit down, are amongst the most important criteria. But the environment should be felt comfortable not only to your client, but to you as well! 

In the previous lectures we’ve already talked about how to set up therapeutic environment so that the client could feel comfortable to open up and discuss their personal situations and issues. They should feel that the environment is safe and non-judgmental and that the therapist understands them and is willing to help and support in finding their solutions. 

The essental part of establishing therapeutic relationship with your client involves using 'listening skills' on a professional and appropriate level. 

Here you will learn that there are 2 components to 'listening': 'Active listening' and 'appropriate responding'. Both of these aspects are extensive once you start learning about it in detail.

Now you know how to set up therapeutic environment and how to use your listening skills to make the therapy very effective. So let’s have a look at how we can set up a positive therapeutic relationship from the very start of the therapy. 

Sometimes the initial consultation takes place over the phone. Other times, it starts in the office where the client not only hear the therapist but also 'judge' him or her by 'how they look', how they sound, their body language and the environment of where the therapy will take place. All details are important!  

Throughout this model we will be looking at various approaches that are used by psychotherapists and counsellors. Some chose to follow one approach whereas others use 2 or more. There are psychotherapists who use a mixture of various approaches which is called 'eclectic approach'. 

How is that possible to mix various approaches? 

Once we’ll got through some of the approaches here, you will see how they can add each other in a more positive fulfilling way, so yes, they can work together! Saying that, there are some therapists who wouldn’t agree with that preferring not to mix a single approach with others. 

So in this lecture we are looking at Person-Centred therapy which is also referred to as 'person-centred approach'. 

In this lecture we’ll discuss the another widely used approach in psychotherapy - psychodynamic therapy. 

Here we'll have a look at the definition of 'psychoanalysis' and its origins. The we will discuss the concept of 'psychodynamic therapy' and how it differs from 'psychoanalysis'. During this lecture you will also understand what kinds of problems could be dealt with more beneficially using this therapeutic approach. Additionally, we will discuss some ideas of the originator of 'psychoanalysis' - Sigmund Freud himself! 

In this lecture we’ll have a look at Gestalt therapy which is a very different t approach from the one we’ve discussed in our previous lecture - the psychodynamic or psychoanalytic approach that is focused on the past of the client. 

Gestalt therapy has its own principles and ideas, and particularly some interesting therapeutic approaches that are based on 'enactment'. After you will learn about the founders of this therapy, you will understand that this approach has very different different ideas in its core, you can even say - opposite - to psychoanalysis for example, in many aspects! 

In this lecture we’ll have a look at another model that is used in psychotherapy and which is called Existential approach or existential psychotherapy. Again, this is a very different approach to those you have learned so far. Here you will find out that existential psychotherapy has its roots in philosophy and still is using those principles where you can reflect and philosophise. This is a very unique method for delivering therapy treatment to your client! 

As you might be aware yourself, psychotherapy and also counselling, can be provided by various means and in various settings. Even though normally it is done on one-to-one basis in the therapist office, there are forms that take place too. For example, therapy can be conducted over the internet, in a group or with the family of the client. 

In this video we will be discussing 'individual' approach in psychotherapy: its benefits for the clients, and how it differ from a group therapy for example. You will also find out what types of mental health disorders would benefit more from 'individual' psychotherapy too. 

In the previous lecture we’ve been talking about 'individual' or 'one-to-one psychotherapy' and how the client can benefit from it. In this lecture we are looking at 'group' sessions - in which cases they would be beneficial and how the client can benefit from them. 

In this lecture we'll have a look at some reasons of why group therapy is better for treating certain conditions. Additionally we'll discuss the actual process of providing 'group' therapy to the clients. 

By now we have discussed what is 'individual' therapy and 'group' therapy, what the differences and what their strengths are. Also we’ve discussed what type of client would benefit from individual therapy and who would find group work more effective. 

So in this lecture lets’ discuss what is ‘couple psychotherapy’ and how it can help. Additionally, we will have a look at the 'aims' of couple psychotherapy and the actual process and analysis that is done by the therapist in the office. 

In this lecture we’ll discuss 'Online' therapy or 'Internet based' therapy sessions. 

We will have a look at what actually are they, whether you can provide them too, and will attempt to answer the main question - whether 'online therapy' is actually effective. 

There might be many reasons for preferring this method of therapy, for example, the client lives in another city or even country, or is too embarrassed to talk about their personal problems 'face-to-face'. So let's discuss this all here and start learning about this interesting method of therapy treatment! 

We’ve all heard from various people that they were depressed, and perhaps you felt this way too at some point in your life. But what is a great sadness that goes on for days or even weeks, or was it ‘good enough’ to be classified and treated as depression? 

So let's have a look at various types of depression, and how they are diagnosed and treated. Here you will learn the symptomatology of 'depression' so that you knew what to look out for when talking to your next client! 

You might be familiar with the psychological disorder called ‘anxiety’. In fact, it’s a 'group' of disorders which includes a wide range of symptoms, such as panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and social phobia. 

 Firstly, lets’s have a look at what anxiety really is. Then we'll discuss the symptomatology and characteristic of this group of disorders. And finally, we'll discuss how psychotherapy can help the person with anxiety disorder. 

Schizophrenia - is a serious disorder and it is important that you were aware of its signs and symptoms. In this lecture we will discuss the characteristics of schizophrenia and the possible causes of this disorder. Finally, we'll discuss the treatment of schizophrenia and particularly how psychotherapy can help the person with schizophrenia during their therapy sessions. 

Most people tend to identify with a gender that they’ve been assigned at birth. But some people are not. In fact, they cannot accept it and they are not happy if they try to do so. 

In this lecture we'll have a look at various definitions and vocabulary terms that are related to this topic. Then we'll discuss what 'symptoms' the person needs to have in order to be diagnosed with 'gender dysphoria'. Finally, we'll discuss in what ways psychotherapy can help the individual with this type of disorder. 

Eating disorders is a range of serious psychological and health-related conditions that should never be taken lightly. Almost half of the sufferers never seek or get professional treatment even though there is a percentage of them who suffers from various health complications and even at risk of death.

In this lecture we'll have a look at different types of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, their symptomatology and treatments. We will also attempt to understand the psychological causes of these disorders through our discussion. 

Suicidal thinking, planning and behiaouvr is a very important topic, and many psychotherapists have to deal with suicidal clients in their work.  How serious is this issue? 

During this lecture we will have a look at the recent statistics. Then we'll discuss how we can recognise the signs of someone who is contemplating suicide, including their behaviour. Finally, we'll discuss what psychotherapist can do in order to start the discussion with the client and help them to change their thinking patterns to non-suicidal ones. 

At times you might deal with clients who engage into self-harming behaviour. You might spot the signs or they might talk about it openly. In this video we will be looking at possible reasons explaining self-harm behaviour and how to discuss it with the client in an appropriate level. 

We will also discuss in which cases you need to be aware of (and suspect) the self-harming behaviour and what other mental health disorders they might be experiencing at that time. 

In this lecture we will be discussing the nature of relationship or couple therapy, what exactly it is, how psychotherapy can help the couple. And we will also discuss how to help the client who is going through relationship breakdown in the individual therapy. 

So first of all, let’s have a look what is 'relationship' and 'couple therapy'. Then we will discuss the reasons of seeking couple therapy and how the process of therapy work. You will also find out in which cases relationship breakdown can lead to depression and even suicidal thinking.  

After you have completed almost all the lectures in this course, now you have to the place where we can talk about how to set up own practice when you are ready. Here we’ll have a look at different tips and advices that are given by those who have done it already. 

From paying attention to 'ebb and flow' of your business to 'dealing with money issues', we'll discuss this and much more during this lecture! 

A part starting your own business, especially as a therapist is considering the required registrations and accreditation. Every country has its own rules and depending where you are these rules might be different. Here we are going through a general overview of principles and rules applicable to registration and accreditation in some countries, but of course you will have to find out all the other small details depending on the regulation in your own country. 

In this lecture your tutor wants to congratulate you with finishing the course and to remind you that you can contact her any time if you have any questions related to any of her courses, or even your own career that can be enhanced by online learning! 

FINAL TEST - 'Become a Psychotherapist'

Complete the test to your best ability. You can re-take the test as many times as you need.

Chose the answer that is most accurate or complete in relation to the question asked.

Good luck!

After you complete the test you qualify for your well-deserved certificates!