Master’s Graduates as State-Licensed Psychotherapists, Both a Challenge and an Opportunity: Practical University Teaching Concepts in Clinical Psychology

Psychotherapeutic training in Germany is about to be changed soon: master’s graduates clinical psychology will able become state-licensed psychotherapists. It therefore mandatory teach basic psychotherapeutic skills at the universities. This article presents examples of application-oriented courses psychology, which have been tried and tested Philipps University Marburg for years. During practical exercises “Interventions practice 1 2“, students gain initial experiences with techniques on personally relevant problems. In case seminar, apply their acquired treat an actual outpatient case, while translating psychological knowledge into individualized treatment plan. The seminar “Different approaches psychotherapy practice“ offers opportunity explore 6 different patients coming from a variety settings. are evaluated regularly. An overview cumulated evaluations shows high degree student satisfaction course concepts. described meet several requirements new licensing regulations, especially regarding job-qualifying self-reflection. Necessary adjustments additional discussed, possible solutions presented accordingly. If regulations implemented as demanded, receiving state license after seems justified.