It has been an absolute pleasure studying with BeeLeaf and I am so glad that I found the college, or perhaps the college found me (when the student is ready etc…)! Your teaching style and syllabus really ignited my love of psychotherapy, of learning and of discovery. Thank you.Kathryn D. Psychotherapist
How do I begin training as a Psychotherapist with BeeLeaf?
The initial step on the pathway is to complete our Certificate in Skills & Principles of Contemporary Psychotherapy. This is a first unit of our qualifying Diploma and can also be enjoyed a a stand alone course. As you progress on your professional path with BeeLeaf you will be required to complete further units of training towards the qualifying BeeLeaf Diploma in Contemporary Psychotherapy, work with clients in supervised clinical practice and engage in personal therapy.
If you already have some psychotherapy qualifications and you would like to find out about using these towards becoming UKCP Accredited with BeeLeaf read our page on Accredited Prior Learning. You are welcome to to get in touch with us for brief informal advice however a detailed assessment is made during the formal application stage and interview.
How much time will it take me to become a Psychotherapist and be UKCP Accredited?
Training with BeeLeaf to become a PSYCHOTHERAPIST usually takes a minimum of 2 – 3 years part-time depending on existing qualifications and experience and will require you to successfully complete our individual units of training and meet the clinical practice, supervision and personal therapy requirements for award of our BeeLeaf Diploma in Contemporary Psychotherapy.
Training with BeeLeaf to become a UKCP ACCREDITED PSYCHOTHERAPIST usually takes a FURTHER 1 – 2 years part-time depending on existing qualifications and experience and will require you to achieve our Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Psychotherapy and meet the clinical practice, supervision and personal therapy requirements.
Becoming a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist – Summary of Pathway (Updated October 2020)
Some units of training can be completed at different stages over the 4 years
Frequently Asked Questions
What personal qualities do I need to become a Psychotherapist?
Being a psychotherapist is not just about academic or analytic achievement. In your application process we are also keen to assess the personal qualities that are needed to be a safe, effective and sufficiently robust professional. Those qualities include:
A lively and enquiring mind
An ability to experiment and value learning from mistakes as much as successes
Enjoyment of others’ process and uniqueness
Curiosity in situations of “not-knowing”
Desire to develop compassion for yourself and others
Training to be a psychotherapist, and practicing as one, are emotionally and psychologically demanding because the skills and qualities needed to form and maintain therapeutic relationships require a good relationship with our own feelings, thoughts and vulnerabilities. When we engage in experiential learning we need to be able to reflect on our experiences and be open to feedback from our own emotions and from peers and tutors.
The ability to safely hold clients who may at times be distressed, confused and processing uncomfortable feelings, depends on us reaching our own capacity for owning, reflecting and processing our own inevitable emotional challenges. This is part of what makes psychotherapy such a rewarding profession, as long as we continually develop our psychological robustness and awareness.
It is not unusual for people to have come to the profession of psychotherapy through having benefitted from it themselves in managing life’s difficulties and sometimes from having received a mental health diagnosis. This is not in itself a barrier to training, it can enhance your learning and practice, however during your application process we need to consider together whether training could exacerbate existing mental health issues and how this is best managed. If we feel that it is not the right time in an applicant’s recovery to be able to benefit from the investment of time and money in training, we reserve the right to not admit that applicant to training.
How much does it cost to train to become a Psychotherapist?
The fees for the Diploma and then Advanced Diploma are between approximately *£16,000 depending on (1) your starting point on the training path and if you we can award you any APL (accredited prior learning) for courses completed elsewhere that we recognise (2) If you choose the discount options available (3) Fees separate and independent of training such as personal therapy, clinical supervision, insurance, organisational membership fees.
*approximate and subject to change. COURSE FEES 2022-2023
What qualifications do I need to become a Psychotherapist?
We are a UKCP Accredited Organisational Member so our training is set at Masters degree level. Therefore you need have a degree OR other demonstration of post-graduate ability. We operate an active Diversity Policy, so if you do not have a first degree, contact us to find out how you may be able to demonstrate eligibility through work experience and applied skills.
Where does the training take place?
Most of our training happens face-to-face in Mile End London E3 and is very well served by public transport. Some training also takes place online. There is limited free parking on nearby streets at weekends. Because there is such a huge range of accommodation available in London we cannot list them all here! Instead we are happy to offer suggestions according to individual preferences at the time of enrolment. For some of the shorter more theoretical units there are also webinars that can watch at your own pace and online forums for discussion and learning.
How will my psychotherapy qualifications be recognised?
BeeLeaf Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy is proud to be an Accredited Member of the Register of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP); a Register that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The scheme was set up by the Government to improve standards and safety for the benefit of the public. Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to high professional standards, to enhancing safety and delivering a better service.
