The Publication Test

As a psychotherapist, you'll need to:

• conduct a series of sessions with a client to assess need, build trust and explore issues
• encourage the client to talk about and explore their feelings, attitudes and behaviours
• run group sessions with people undergoing therapy in a clinical setting
• help clients to develop strategies for coping with issues and for making positive changes to the way they think and behave

• Starting salaries for trainee psychotherapists in the NHS usually start at around £35,392 (Band 6 of the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates).
• Qualified NHS psychotherapists typically earn £43,742 to £50,056 (Band 7). Salaries for principal psychotherapists can rise to between £50,952 and £68,525 (Bands 8a and 8b). Salaries for consultant psychotherapists can be higher.
• There's no standard scale of fees for private practice work and rates vary considerably. Psychotherapists typically charge between £40 and £100 for a 50 minute session depending on a range of factors, including location. You may offer a limited number of reduced rate sessions for clients on a low income.

Working hours are typically Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. However, you may work outside these hours, particularly in private practice when you may arrange sessions for clients during early mornings or late evenings to accommodate their working patterns.

Part-time roles are available. It is also possible to take a career break but if you work in private practice you will need to rebuild a client base on your return to work.