How I became a therapist

Are you interested in finding out what a career in psychotherapy has to offer? In this series of pieces, UKCP members discuss their route into the profession and how they work. They demonstrate the different types of psychotherapists there are and the varied career paths that are open to those working in the psychotherapeutic profession.

Heather Dawall-Smith

Working as an Art Directer, Heather felt a want for more and entered therapy for multiple reasons. Therapy then led to training.

Martin Weaver

Growing up as a gay man during the 1980 Aids crisis secured Martins sense of sense, resilience and empathy, which in turn led him to psychotherapy.

Lorna Evans

Whilst working in the video game and television industry Lorna found herself drawn to psychotherapy training.

Silva Neves

Growing up in a rural area Silva felt disconnected, it was only when he found his LGBTQIA+ community he understood the healing power of human connection.

Eugene Ellis

His personal insight into the power of therapy drew him to the field.

Paula Hall

Her fascination with what makes people happy drew Paula Hall into psychotherapy.

Hannah Sherbersky

Working in the NHS and private practice Hannah talks about the varying aspects of her career, including her feature in a BBC TV documentary.

Dwight Turner

Discusses how he is challenging psychotherapy training and techniques to test students prejudices.

Gary Bloom

Sports expert Gary Bloom reveals what lead him to train as a psychotherapist.

Alivia Rose

Introduced to psychotherapy by a friend, Alivia found a way to to open up about her deep painful feelings. This inspired her to help others find healing.

John-Paul Davies

Talks about his transition from lawyer to psychotherapist.

Nicholas Rose

Sitting in the psychotherapy chair inspired Nicholas to pursue training. 17 years on he continues to be passionate about the profession.

Melinda Powell

Shares her personal story and discusses the role dreams played on her path to training.

Suzanne Worrica

UKCP psychotherapist Suzanne Worrica was drawn to the psychotherapeutic profession long before she started her training.

Juliet Rosenfeld

Wanting to understand more about the mind and her own experience with depression Juliet began training as a psychotherapist.

Catherine Knibbs

Shares how her worry for her children’s mental wellbeing led her to pursue psychotherapeutic training.

Melissa Cliffe

Her career in marketing held little long-term appeal after she found a therapy training that inspired her to change paths.

Stephen Westcott

Working in the music industry sparked Stephen Westcott interest in personal development and the therapeutic profession.

Sam Carbon

Sam started her career in investment banking, but after 25 years reached a realisation that her skills would help her make the transition into the world of psychotherapy.