Can anyone give some information on becoming a psychoanalyst?

Question

Please include the career path, salary, and more for 10 points. This field of work is interesting me and I would like to know more. Thank you in advance :)

Answer 1

I don't know where you are from, so I am simply going to assume that you are from the UK.  

"Psychoanalysts work on a one-to-one basis with people who are suffering from conditions such as depression, anxiety, a phobia or obsessive behaviour. They help them to uncover the behavioural patterns buried in their unconscious. They achieve this by:

    * listening very carefully to the patient and observing them, trying to understand the emotional states behind what they communicate

    * helping the patient to identify and understand these emotional states so they can start to deal with their problems.

Psychoanalysts usually see each patient four or five times a week. Each session lasts around 50 minutes. They write down their observations after the patient has left. Treatment is usually a long and painstaking process, and the psychoanalyst has to build a strong relationship with each patient.

The working hours of psychoanalysts vary and may include evenings and weekends. Many work part time. Some combine psychoanalysis with work in other areas. Psychoanalysts meet patients in an office that is comfortable and quiet.

Income ranges from around £20,000, to over £40,000 a year.

A psychoanalyst should:

    * be an excellent listener

    * have good observation skills

    * be able to work closely with people suffering from severe emotional problems

    * enjoy working intensively with people.

Around 300 qualified psychoanalysts work in the UK. Most are based in or near London. Most work in private practice and are self-employed.

To qualify as a psychoanalyst, people have to do a training course approved by the International Psychoanalytical Association. The only approved training courses in the UK are those offered by The Institute of Psychoanalysis and the British Psychoanalytic Association. Applicants for psychoanalysis training must have a first degree, or the equivalent. Many applicants for training are psychiatrists or other professionals working in mental health. Adult entry is normal.

Training courses are part time over at least four years, and include:

    * personal psychoanalysis throughout the whole of the training period

    * theoretical and clinical seminars

    * psychoanalysis of two patients under the supervision of a qualified psychoanalyst.

Psychoanalysts may specialise in a particular area of work, such as child and adolescent psychoanalysis. Some move into a teaching role, training new entrants to the profession."