Masters Psychotherapy in Scotland

Psychotherapy is a field of applied science which focusses on the treatment of mental conditions by verbal communication and interaction. It can be used with people of all ages to treat a variety of mental and emotional issues. Treatment is typically composed of hour-long consultations, and can be structured in one-to-one sessions, or in groups.

In the UK, a master's degree in psychotherapy provides advanced training in therapy and counselling and can lead to a career as a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in psychology, social sciences or an arts-related subject, and must have completed relevant clinical experience.

Psychotherapy is an accredited profession in the UK, and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) are its two main and largest registering bodies.

What to expect

Psychotherapy students undergo a transformative learning experience that combines advanced theory with rigorous coursework and experiential learning in a clinical setting. Postgraduate students often go to personal therapy sessions as part of their professional development, and you can expect to delve deep into the intricacies of memory and behaviour, while honing your communications skills and interpersonal abilities. As a postgraduate student preparing for clinical work, you’ll be educated on the ethical considerations surrounding the profession as well as learning how to establish your own working practice.

You’ll require 450 hours of supervised one-to-one clinical practice in order qualify for accreditation by the UKCP, where you’ll join over 11,000 members working professionally in the UK. Around 17% of UKCP members work in the NHS; in a recent pre-COVID UKCP survey, 85% of respondents stated that they work in private practice with 58% working from home.