Bone-setters in Psychotherapy
Response to the article by my dear and respected colleague Prof. Dr. Tatjana Milivojević "Who Can Be a Psychotherapist: Between Monopoly and Responsibility"
TL;DR
- The author uses analogies from surgery and bone-setting to argue that formal education in psychology or psychiatry should be a prerequisite for psychotherapy.
- Individuals without a foundational understanding of psychology or psychiatry should not be allowed to practice psychotherapy, even if they have natural talent or complete short courses.
- The established professional bodies (esnafs) should determine the criteria for entering the psychotherapy profession, similar to how they regulate other professions.
- Accredited specialization programs within an institutionalized system are necessary for training and certifying psychotherapists.
- Sigmund Freud surrounded himself with doctors and neuro-psychiatrists when developing psychoanalysis, indicating the importance of a strong scientific background.