5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Psychotherapist in Bucharest, Romania

How does someone become a psychotherapist in Romania?

The institution responsible for granting practice licenses to psychologists and psychotherapists in Romania is the College of Romanian Psychologists. To become a psychologist, one must be a graduate of a psychology faculty. The University of Bucharest and Babes Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca are two prestigious universities in Romania with psychology faculties. A psychotherapist can have a degree in Psychology; however, graduates of Pedagogy, Social Services, Medicine, Philosophy, or Theology may also become psychotherapists by supplementing their university studies with specialized courses.

What are the differences between a psychotherapist and a clinical psychologist?

Psychotherapists undergo additional long-term training and participate in a significant number of hours of personal development, which is a mandatory requirement to enter the profession. In contrast, clinical psychologists are trained to perform psychological assessments and diagnose mental health disorders.

Are there advantages to choosing a psychotherapist who is a clinical psychologist?

It is advantageous to choose a psychotherapist who is also certified as a clinical psychologist. This means that the psychotherapist has graduated from a psychology faculty and has experience in psychological assessment.

Are there any specific certifications or requirements for psychotherapists?

The College of Romanian Psychologists grants four specialisation levels: supervision (profession start-up), autonomy, specialist, and principal. These levels are based on experience gained in the profession and a specialized interview.

Any other important considerations when choosing a psychotherapist in Bucharest?

In addition to the certifications obtained in Romania, some psychotherapists hold international certifications, such as Schema Therapy or Emotion-Focused Therapy. It is worth considering these additional certifications when choosing a psychotherapist.