Training as Family Therapist

[elainem]

Thinking of a carrer change now that I have cashed in investment property. Currently mental health nurse, but just completed foundation cert. in Family Therapy. Thinking about going on to do 4 year part-time masters programme in Family Therapy (two young kids 4 and 6), and working agency around it. Crux is that the cost of the course over 4 years is €33,000, but the four years includes clinical component, so that no extra hours are required after that to get registration as family thrapist. Does anyone know if there is much work out there for family therapist's?Only ones who say there is so far are course tutors and I feel that their opionions may be a bit biased. Does anyone think I'm a bit mad doing this, due to expense and time factor? I am basically hoping to do something that will permit me to work around my children's school hours - to be able to be home for them when they hit the teenage years I think is important. Also, find nursing, particulary psych nursing, more difficult due to potential for violence/injury due to changing client group and problems. Also, long hours, office politics, red tape, and increasing litigious nature of everything in healthcare. Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Diziet]

Thinking of a carrer change now that I have cashed in investment property. Currently mental health nurse, but just completed foundation cert. in Family Therapy. Thinking about going on to do 4 year part-time masters programme in Family Therapy (two young kids 4 and 6), and working agency around it. Crux is that the cost of the course over 4 years is €33,000, but the four years includes clinical component, so that no extra hours are required after that to get registration as family thrapist. Does anyone know if there is much work out there for family therapist's?Only ones who say there is so far are course tutors and I feel that their opionions may be a bit biased. Does anyone think I'm a bit mad doing this, due to expense and time factor? I am basically hoping to do something that will permit me to work around my children's school hours - to be able to be home for them when they hit the teenage years I think is important. Also, find nursing, particulary psych nursing, more difficult due to potential for violence/injury due to changing client group and problems. Also, long hours, office politics, red tape, and increasing litigious nature of everything in healthcare. Any advice greatly appreciated.

You need to do a lot more research into this. Have you asked the professional organisation for information? Colleagues, GPs etc who would be referring clients to family therapists? Have you tried talking to any practicing therapists and seeing how busy they are? You also need more specific detail from your tutors about referral mechanisms and go check them out yourself.

 

[Cheeus]

Hi there

It's a question that everyone thinking about counselling training is facing. There still seems to be a lot of confusion in Ireland around accreditation. If I were you I'd speak to the two main agencies ICP and IACP - just google them. One is for psychotherapy, the other for counselling and psychotherapy. I had heard that there was a push for European accreditation and so it might be important to check what courses comply.

I guess if it's family therapy you're thinking about the Clanwilliam Institute? They have certainly been on the go for years and seem to be well respected everywhere. Looking into it myself recently I noticed that part of their course is awaiting approval? I should have gone to their open day yesterday to find out more!?

I was speaking to someone who trained as a family therapist years ago and worked in various counselling settings since. Only recently she has run into a little difficulty in leaving the family therapy setting. I wonder is wider training a better option for employment prospects? I'd be more inclined towards general counselling/psychotherapy training. Then you can do the add-on training as you wish. CBT seems to be the preferred counselling system of the HSE where a lot of the employment is.

If you are a nurse are you employed by the HSE? Would they sponsor your training? I've heard of them do it for others. Also if you are interested to know what employment prospects are like maybe contact some of the family therapy centres for further input?

Good luck! It's a big commitment but I'm guessing it's really worth it if you're drawn to it... and I admire you for the mental health nursing side of things, you are unsung heroes!!