A psychotherapist helps individuals, couples, families, or groups manage and overcome emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. Using structured talk therapy, they guide clients toward better mental health, personal growth, and improved relationships.
Becoming a psychotherapist is not just about a career—it’s about making a positive impact on individuals and society while continuously growing as a person. If you are empathetic, curious about the human mind, and passionate about helping others, psychotherapy offers a fulfilling, challenging, and purpose-driven path.
Here at Iron Mill College we teach Transactional Analysis which is an integrative approach to psychotherapy grounded in a humanistic philosophy.
Studying to become a psychotherapist
The main professional body for psychotherapists in this country is the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). They set out Standards of Education and Training for the psychotherapy training courses that they Accredit. These psychotherapy courses are all at least 4 years long, and at Postgraduate level (these are requirements of the UKCP).
Learning to become a psychotherapist is much more than learning about a new profession. It is about learning about yourself, your humanity, the meaning of your work and making long lasting friends and colleagues who enrich your life. Challenges are that we sometimes look at parts of our self that we may not like. However, this is also healing and helps us to have a better relationship with ourselves and others
At the Iron Mill, the Integrative and Relational Transactional Analysis (TA) Psychotherapy programme is accredited by UKCP, and International TA organisations. The programme is designed to lead to qualification as a UK based psychotherapist.
The Iron Mill route to qualifying
Step 1. Complete a TA 101
This two-day introductory course covers key aspects of TA theory. It is an essential ‘taster’, not only for TA theory but also the way we work with that theory in the College TA courses. It is a stand-alone course, with a standardised syllabus agreed by international TA organisations, recognised by the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA) and the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA). Participants will be awarded an officially recognised TA 101 certificate upon completion.
Step 2. Certificate in Transactional Theory and Practice
This is the essential foundation year for future study in psycotherapy. The course runs for 9 weekends from October to June during which you’ll deepen your understanding of a wide array of TA theories and approaches as well as learning practical counselling skills from our tutors
Step 3: Advanced Diploma in Intergrative Psychotherapy (Relational TA)
This course builds on your learning from your Certificate in TA Theory and Practice year. The Advanced training progresses to a post graduate level or Masters level equivalent, in line with UKCP Standards in Education and Training, (SETS). The programme is a 3 year taught course. For each of these years, the programme runs between September and July for 10 weekends in total.
Step 4 UKCP Dissertation Year and registration as a qualified psychotherapist
This is a ten-day programme structured to support students in psychotherapy towards UKCP registration as a qualified psychotherapist. The dissertation year is designed for Iron Mill Psychotherapy students who have completed a minimum of four years of psychotherapy training and are on course to complete all requirements for UKCP registration
Step 5 Become a Certified Transactional Analysis (CTA (P))
Students successfully completing the Iron Mill psychotherapy programme can also expand their dissertation and viva recordings to become a Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA) with psychotherapy specialism
