Psychotherapy covers the psychological treatment of a wide range of mental and physical ills by a number of different methods, each developed in terms of its own theoretical framework. Such treatment is carried out with individual patients or clients, with groups of patients and with children as well as adults. Methods vary from a long series of intimate discussions over two or three years, to only one or two intense interviews. Group treatment may consist of acting out problems or the encouragement of expression of inhibited emotions within the therapeutic group.

The BPS do not currently accredit these courses but you can get further information from: British Association for Counselling and the UK Council for Psychotherapy.

Recommended reading:

 Person-centred Counselling in Action

 First Steps in Counselling ~ Pete Sanders

 Integrative Counselling Skills in Action ~ Sue Culley

  An Introduction to Counselling ~John McLeod

  Counselling Skills and Theory ~Margaret Hough

  An Introduction to Object Relations ~Lavinia Gomez

  Mastering Counselling Skills ~Jennie Lindon, Lance Lindon