In order to become a certified group psychotherapist (CGP), you will need to attend a graduate level course at an accredited university or college. Many states require that your doctoral degree is from an accredited institution and also that the program be led and supervised by a practicing psychotherapist. Other requirements may vary from state to state, but the program should include adequate coursework to prepare you for the licensing exam.
After graduation you will be eligible to sit for the CGP Practitioner’s certification exam. Upon successful completion of the examination you will be issued your certificate. At this point you are not licensed to do clinical work, but can begin to work as a private therapist working with either private clients or other groups. Many times when working with groups your CGP will perform or refer the therapy. This will allow you to become a Certified Group Psychotherapist.
The benefits of working as a Certified Group Psychotherapist includes opportunities for career advancement. If you decide that you would like to become a licensed clinical psychologist you will need to complete your master’s degree studies as well as pass the board exam. Once you have both your master’s degree and the board exam, you will be able to take the licensing exam. It is important to remember that although these professionals are known as psychotherapists, they do not offer psychotherapy services. They are able to refer individuals to qualified therapists who do provide psychotherapy services.
A Certified Group Psychotherapist will help individuals and groups of people with various mental health problems. There are many different types of disorders that can lead to people needing a therapist’s assistance. These can range from alcohol addiction to depression and anxiety. Some of the other disorders that the group psychotherapist can help are schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Individuals and groups that do not feel comfortable talking about their issues with a personal therapist might benefit from working with a group psychotherapist.
Becoming a Certified Group Psychotherapist comes with its own set of benefits. One of the benefits is that you are qualified to work in more than one location. You may find that the therapy sessions that you are conducting for one client will be helpful to several other individuals. By using the skills that you have gained from your education and training, you can offer this valuable service to other individuals.
Another benefit to becoming a group psychotherapist is that you may be able to offer your services outside of your office. If you work in an organization, you may be able to join your employer in their organization and conduct group psychotherapy sessions for their employees. You may also be qualified to volunteer your services by joining a mental health organization or other related group. Whatever the case, if you enjoy helping others, you may want to consider becoming a certified group psychotherapist.
As you can see, there are many benefits associated with becoming a certified psychotherapist. You may be able to locate a job that allows you to serve more individuals and your schedule will allow you to practice your skills in many different settings. This can be a great career choice for those who like to share the talents that they have.
