Which jobs can I do if I study psychoanalysis?

Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

Giving you the skills to help others overcome

Isolation, fear, loss and uncertainty; the post-pandemic world presents a serious challenge to our collective consciousness. Overcoming these difficulties could be the biggest test of our generation.

How do we care for the most vulnerable in society? What can we do to ensure good access to mental health care? How can we support our refugee community? How does increased remote working impact organisations and the dynamics of the workplace? How do rapid technological advancements affect us?

A degree from the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies will give you the answers and the tools to help.

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Which jobs will suit me?

A counsellor, social worker, teacher, therapist, manager, organisational consultant or youth worker; these are just a few of the diverse career paths a degree from the Department could lead to.
You could also continue your education with us in readiness for employment in clinical practice, non-governmental organisation work or business and organisational consultancy. Your advanced skill set will be highly valued by public and private mental health and social care providers, the third sector and large corporations and organisations.
Past students of the Department have graduated into a range of successful jobs in fields such as; social care, psychotherapy and counselling, teaching, charity and third sector roles, business, management and clinical therapeutic practice. 96% of our postgraduate graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024).
Many of our students have launched their own businesses and social enterprises, such as nature-based psychodynamic psychotherapy for children and young people or opening their own psychotherapy and counselling practices.

How will a degree from the Department benefit my future career prospects?

A therapist takes notes in a book from a patient sitting in opposite chair.

A sign for the Tavistock Centre in London

A young child in primary school learning from a book with guidance from a teacher.

Two people shaking hands with a women smiling in the background

A line of small refugee children in a camp

An old man's hands resting on a wooden bench.

Are you planning a career in clinical therapeutic practice?

Would you like to learn from active practitioners working in the field of depth psychology?

Perhaps you would like to work therapeutically with children or adolescents?

Would you like to learn more about management or leadership in business or large organisations?

Are you planning a career working with refugee or migrant communities?

Would you like to learn more about working in residential care?

Are you considering a career working with a charity or non-governmental organisation?

How will the Department support my career development?

"I was accepted at the Tavistock Centre where I trained for a year in Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. I also worked as an Assistant Psychologist at a forensic clinic... I then set up my own mental health company..."

Apostolos Fournaris, Director Working as a Lecturer and in private practice- MA PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDIES, MA PSYCHODYNAMIC COUNSELLING, PHD PSYCHOANALYTIC STUDIES

Apostolos Fournaris, MA Psychoanalytic Studies, MA in Psychodynamic Counselling, PhDc in Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex

Why did you decide to study your course at Essex?

At first, what was then the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies was a leading institution for Psychoanalytic Studies so it was appealing to gain a postgraduate degree taught by such experts in the field. After that, I just fell in love with Essex Uni, the Department, the staff and decided to carry on and do more!

What did you enjoy most about your studies?

All modules were particularly stimulating - the courses are designed to promote further development of one's knowledge. As such, they helped me gain a very rounded and well-balanced knowledge of psychoanalytic theory, but also a professional qualification that allowed me to start my own private practice. Topping that up with research that allows me to apply psychoanalytic theory to the field of specialist mentoring, is just the cherry on top.

Can you tell us about your current job, and how you got there?

I am currently a Lecturer of Psychology at Roehampton University and an Associate Lecturer at University of Essex. My role at Roehampton includes being the Course Lead for the PG Dip IAPT High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy, a pilot training by HEE and the NHS designed to create a new professional pathway and a new mental health support provision for the public. I am also a PhD candidate at Essex, finishing my second year. In addition, I run my own private practice which I set up after I graduated from my second MA at Essex (Psychodynamic Counselling). Finally, I am running for parliament in Greece, in the upcoming national elections.

Could you describe a typical day?

Depending on which day of the week it is, I would either do PhD work, teach at Roehampton or at Essex, do admin, see clients at my private practice, and spend as much time as I can with my family and our 3-year-old son. I also swim for my local club so I train about 5 times a week and campaign for the elections too.

What’s next for your career?

I am looking forward to becoming a Senior Lecturer next year and finishing my Phd at Essex. However, at the moment, I am looking forward to the upcoming national parliamentary elections in Greece as I am running for MP at my hometown constituency, which is also very exciting and quite an experience.

What advice would you give to someone looking for a similar role?

Everyone's path is different, and everyone's destination is different too. I would say find a goal that makes you happy - persevere, be patient and be ready to fight for it and don’t compare your path with anyone else’s. Be ready to tackle difficulties and don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Hard work pays off! Oh, and come study at Essex!

"When I saw the position for Patient Sitter open up, I applied and when interviewed, I described the modules and placements I had done whilst studying my BA and they said it would be a perfect match for this position."

Jade Cousins, Paediatric Patient Sitter BA PSCHODYNAMIC PRACTIcE

Jade Cousins, BA Psychodynamic Practice, University of Essex

Why did you decide to study your course at Essex?

I had originally applied to study Psychology. However, after attending an open day where the Head of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies - Dr Chris Nicholson - hosted a session on what one would study and gain from doing a BA in Psychodynamic Practice (then called Therapeutic Care); I applied for the course through clearing.

What did you enjoy most about your studies?

During our first year, the module Child, Adolescent and Adult Development soon became one of my favourite modules to study. I knew I had a passion for working in a paediatric environment and this module really opened my eyes to how deep the development of young people really goes and how long their developments lasts for.

What have you done since graduating – how did your career start?

After I graduated, I moved to the USA. I currently work as a Patient Sitter for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which is the second best ranked paediatric hospital in the United States. I knew I wanted to work in a healthcare environment but as I had little experience in such a setting, finding employment proved to be difficult. When I saw the position for Patient Sitter open up, I applied and when interviewed, I described the modules and placements I had done whilst studying my BA and they said it would be a perfect match for this position.

Could you describe a typical day?

My typical day involves a 1:1 observation between me and my patient. The patient could be 1:1 for a variety of reasons; usually, the infants are 1:1 because they may have a tendency to pull on their lines and wires or itch at infected sites, so I am there to prevent them from doing so. Some of the older patients, like the adolescents, are 1:1 because of mental or behavioural problems such as aggressive behaviour due Post Traumatic Stress or not eating because of Anorexia. I am there to prevent them from endangering themselves and others and making sure they are fulfilling their treatment plans.

How relevant is your degree to your job?

My BA is very relevant to my job. A lot of what I learnt was observational skills - not only do I have to observe my patient, but I then have to give a relevant report to the nurse on what I saw and how it can be managed. I am also able to apply some of my course knowledge such as Psychodynamic Concepts, Trauma and Violence as many of the children who are 1:1 have been admitted due to those issues.

What advice would you give to someone looking for a similar role?

My advice would be don't get disheartened if you get turned down.You may experience some setbacks but there are always places, even if it means getting a position just to get your foot in the door. Take your time and do not rush into anything you may not want to proceed with down the line.

"The University of Essex was the only institution that offered a programme as specific as the MA in Refugee Care with opportunities to not only learn theories but also to put in practice what is learned in the placement."

Cynthia Lizbeth Matildes Mariscal, Therapist ma refugee care

Cynthia Lizbeth Matildes Mariscal, MA Refugee Care, University of Essex

Why did you decide to study your course at Essex?

The University of Essex was the only institution that offered a programme as specific as the MA in Refugee Care with opportunities to not only learn theories but also to put in practice what is learned in the placement.

What did you enjoy most about your studies?

My favourite modules were the Context of the Refugee Experience and Therapeutic Care for Refugees. I also enjoyed the lectures provided at the Tavistock Clinic and the opportunity granted to do a placement at the Refugee Council of London.

Can you tell us about your current job, what is a typical day?

I started working in Médecins Sans Frontières, (Doctors without Borders) which is an international humanitarian medical organisation.They provide medical-humanitarian aid for refugees, asylum seekers, deportees and immigrants in general. My role is to provide therapy sessions and counselling to the patients in need. I’m currently based in the city of Mexicali, on the border between Mexico and the USA.

A typical day starts with an early meeting with my team, to plan and discuss any important information about our cases. After this, if I don't have any patients in the morning, I'll go to the Mexico-USA border checkpoint (Mexico side), where people come daily to deliver their documentation and begin their asylum process, it is also where people are deported back to Mexico. Here I usually talk to people and give them information about the services offered by MSF and I focus on the importance of mental health care. Sometimes it is necessary to provide psychological first aid there, and other times people come with me back to the office because they are interested in having a medical consultation or going to a psychological session. Back in the office I usually see patients individually or in family sessions and in some cases I work together with a doctor or social worker.

Depending on the day and schedule, I visit some of the shelters for migrants, where my job is to do psycho-educational activities and health promotion. Sometimes we visit migrants' meeting points, such as plazas, parks and train tracks, and there we provide information on health services and general information that may be useful. My work day is never boring or monotonous, on the contrary, it is always full of difficult and rewarding moments.

How relevant is your degree to your job?

Very relevant. My job and my main interest is to provide mental health care to the migrant population and refugees. Despite having a background in therapy, this master's degree changed my understanding and opened my mind to other theories and ways of working - I deeply appreciate this and see it positively reflected in how I treat my patients.

What advice would you give someone looking for a similar role?

Be patient, because sometimes getting a job in a NGO can take some time, it can be very competitive. I would also recommend looking for opportunities to volunteer, there's always help needed and you can learn a lot from other people.