Working and developing as a clinician is a lifelong process, but the best support, guidance, and information can make it achievable. For this, either you go for a full-time in person course or opt for a more convenient option for continuing education i.e. psychotherapy courses online.
The chosen class should help develop and demonstrate a solid foundation in specific fields of professional practice. So, if your goal is to be a certified psychotherapist to help yourself or someone you know, you can consider availing one of the internet’s best classes.
Top 11 Best Psychotherapy Classes Online
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy – [Udemy]
- Gestalt Psychotherapy – Accredited Certificate – [Udemy]
- Fully Accredited Professional Psychotherapy Diploma Course – [Udemy]
- Become Psychotherapist & Open Practice – Accredited Cert – [Udemy]
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Advanced Level -Accredited Cert – [Udemy]
- Introduction To Psychotherapy Psychotherapy – Accredited Certificate – [Udemy]
- Counseling and Psychotherapy Theory – Offered by Seoul National University – [edX]
- Psychotherapy paid and free psychotherapy courses online – [Coursera]
- Online Psychotherapy Training in Evidence-Based Modalities – [Psychotherapy Academy]
- Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program – [Columbia University Centre for Psychoanalytic Training and Research]
- Online Certificate Programs – [Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies]
How Did We Select These Classes?
We scouted the web for courses that provide psychotherapy training online and found 50 such classes. We analyzed and compared them individually on five parameters:
- Offerings from the course.
- Certification.
- Paid or unpaid?
- Course duration
- Instructor’s experience and background.
- Ratings and reviews.
It helped us cut down the list from 50 to 23. Then we shared it with top clinicians who helped us pick the below-listed 11 courses. Let us address them below.
11 Best Paid and Free Psychotherapy Courses Online
1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Who should take this class? | These psychotherapy classes online are ideal for:
|
| Enrolled | 4,445+ students |
| Duration | 1.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Skill Boosters and Barry Winbolt |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | It is not a free course. Beyond this, the explanations in this session feel incomplete. |
Learning Outcomes
In this psychotherapy certification online, you will learn the following:
- Using solution-focused techniques and ideas to shape outcome-oriented conversations with others.
- Learning the objective behind the various methods associated with the solution-focussed approach to their application.
- This is one of the best psychotherapy courses to understand how to work briefly with clients in any situation.
- Collaborating with clients for more effective therapeutic outcomes.
- Enabling the clients to identify and build on their resources and strengths.
- Lowering the wasted hours by making every session count towards a positive change.
Prerequisites
As such, there are no prerequisites associated with these psychotherapy classes online. But, for this course, you will require:
- Willingness to learn.
- Openness to fresh ideas.
- No special materials.
- No prior knowledge.
- Natural curiosity about what makes solution-focused therapy and coaching so effective.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is an approach to conversations. These psychotherapy courses online empower both helpers and the helped. SFBT brings with it a wealth of easily adaptable and learned techniques that accentuate your skills in the professional context.
In this psychotherapy training online, the instructor employs video lectures, which will be beneficial if your work involves assisting people in tackling certain problematic aspects of their lives.
Across the sessions, the video lectures are supported by ‘live session’ video clips that showcase the techniques and present the effectiveness of SFBT in action.
In this one of Udemy’s top-recommended course, every section has a supporting quiz that helps assess your understanding. You can find downloadable PDFs and exercises to make you confident in your skills.
Review Kimberlee H.
This was a helpful overview of how to use SFBT. I like that it was to the point and had great examples.
2. Gestalt Psychotherapy – Accredited Certificate – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Who should take this class? | It is not one of the free psychotherapy courses online. So, if that is what you seek, you can skip this class. This class will benefit:
· People interested in the Gestalt Therapy approach. · Someone who wishes to become a therapist, counselor, or coach. · Those who want to use their certification from this class for further studies. |
| Enrolled | 5,351 students |
| Duration | 4 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Elmira Strange |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | It is a theory-intensive psychotherapy training online. |
Do you wish to be well-versed with the famous Gestalt approach and use it in your work? Do you hope to become a Gestalt therapist? Are you expanding your knowledge on various therapeutic approaches?
If yes, this psychotherapy certification online can help. This class comprises twenty-nine informative lectures where you learn with examples. It is accredited by the International Association of Therapists (IAOTH).
Learning Outcomes
In this course, you will learn the following:
- Using the Gestalt approach in your therapy work like the Empty Chair Technique or Repetition & Exaggeration.
- The importance and use of experiments in therapy sessions.
- Knowledge of the Gestalt approach.
- Employing the Gestalt approach to you.
- Through these psychotherapy courses online, you learn how to use the renowned Empty Chair technique.
- Using the “Mindfulness” approach in sessions.
- Utilizing the Theory of Change in Therapy.
- Putting into action the Gestalt approach in a group or couple therapy.
- Having a grasp on the theoretical foundation of Gestalt Therapy.
- Aiding in finishing an unfinished business.
Prerequisites
For this psychotherapy training online, you will need:
- An interest in counseling, psychology, or psychotherapy
- Knowledge of using Udemy
Review Ines C.
I really liked this course. The instructor has a great way to explain things and the topics are very interesting.
3. Fully Accredited Professional Psychotherapy Diploma Course – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Who should take this class? | This psychotherapy certification online will benefit:
· People who wish to start a career in Psychotherapy. · Those who want to expand their existing skills or expand the techniques to help themselves. · People who want to learn Psychotherapy to help themselves or others. |
| Enrolled | 5,502 students |
| Duration | 1 hour of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Dr. Karen E Wells |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | Module 2 has some fluff. |
It is one of Udemy’s best psychotherapy courses online and has multiple exercises and case studies that help assess your subject understanding. It is a fully accredited professional psychotherapy diploma course by the CTAA – Complementary Therapists Accredited Association.
It is a comprehensive course with an array of self-assessment tasks at the end of every module that boosts your potential to learn and absorb the material better. You will also appear for an exam at the end of the class full of case-study materials to ensure that you understand the material before receiving the certification. It can help with your self-assessments.
Learning Outcomes
In these psychotherapy classes online, you will learn the following:
- Learning about memory, mind, and stress.
- Understanding of mind and behavior.
- How stress can influence a psychological and physiological level.
- Differences between counseling and psychotherapy.
- Knowing what Psychotherapy Is.
- These psychotherapy courses online teach you how traumas can impact health and well-being.
- Understanding the hormones and the brain.
- Who your clients are likely to be, and you will gain insight into those clients.
- Practicing professionally as a Psychotherapist.
- Getting well-versed with affective disorders.
- Knowledge of the conscious & unconscious mind & how this affects the person.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites associated with this psychotherapy certification online course. You can take this class if you have a pen, a notepad, and an internet connection. In addition, you should be willing to learn and have an open mind to progress through the class.
Review Mohamed Sheriff F.
The training manual is fantastic. I suggest you first read the chapter in the manual and then go through the relevant video so that it will help as a reminder of all the key notes that you learnt in the manual.
4. Become Psychotherapist & Open Practice – Accredited Cert – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Who should take this class? | This psychotherapy training online will benefit:
· Those wishing to start a career in Psychotherapy. · Anyone who wants to become a coach, counselor, or a therapist. · People who want to expand their skills. · Those aspiring to get some techniques to help themselves. · Anyone interested in psychologically supporting other people. · Someone who wishes to employ therapeutic methods in their work. |
| Enrolled | 3,397 students |
| Duration | 4.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Elmira Strange |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | The teacher covers several topics in these psychotherapy classes online superficially. An in-depth detail would help. |
It is a bestselling psychotherapy training online. Do you wish to work with people who struggle with everyday challenges and mental health disorders? Do you want to be a certified psychotherapist and see if it is the right career for you? If yes, consider taking this class.
This session has twenty-eight informative lectures you can listen to at home or as you travel to work.
We also find it one of the top courses as the instructor follows a step-by-step approach across the class and constantly guides you in your journey to becoming a coach or therapist specializing in using a psychotherapeutic method in your work.
Learning Outcomes
In this psychotherapy certification online, you will learn the following:
- Theoretical knowledge on providing psychotherapy.
- Working with Anxiety.
- Gestalt therapy.
- Recognizing schizophrenia.
- Person-centered therapy and psychoanalysis.
- Dealing with eating disorders.
- One of the best psychotherapy training to learn Psychotherapeutic approaches and types.
- Knowledge of various kinds of mental health disorders. You might also want to check out these classes to help you better understand mental health
- Understanding different private practices and advertising.
- Existential therapy.
- Symptomatology of depression.
- Opening and advertising your practice.
- Working with clients on a one-to-one basis, in group therapy, and online Skype sessions.
- Finding clients.
Prerequisites
You need the budget to take these psychotherapy classes online. Beyond this, you will need:
- An interest in Psychotherapy or Psychology.
- Knowledge of accessing Udemy to take this class.
- Interest in working with people at a therapy level.
Review Sakshi A.
yes very informative. I want to deep dive more. Lot of new things to learn. The lecturer shares a brief description of her lectures which is very informative and point to point and simple.
5. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Advanced Level -Accredited Cert – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Who should take this class? | This psychotherapy training online will benefit:
· People interested in psychology, therapy, and related topics. · Those who wish to commence their psychology or counseling studies. · Someone who hopes to understand what Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is. |
| Enrolled | 2,767 students |
| Duration | 5.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Elmira Strange |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | It finds a place in our best psychotherapy courses online list but does not follow the most holistic approach. |
Do you wish to work with people who struggle with mental health issues? Do you want to become proficient and help others?
Are you interested in working with people who struggle with mental health issues and day-to-day challenges? Do you want a psychotherapy certification online to be a psychodynamic psychotherapist and get well-acquainted with techniques you can employ in your work?
If yes, this course can be a suitable choice. It is now fully accredited by the IAOTH – International Association of Therapists.
These classes comprise thirty-six informative lectures that you can listen to on your way back to work and be guided to become a coach or a therapist specializing in using a psychodynamic approach in your job.
Learning Outcomes
Some things you discover here are:
- How to ask for a consent
- How to conduct an assessment session
- The difference between brief therapy and long-term treatment
- How Psychodynamic Psychotherapy works
- Approaches & Useful Techniques in Psychotherapy
- How to set up a therapeutic session
- How to write a consent and get permission from your client about the treatment
- Along with a psychotherapy certification online, you get to know various psychodynamic techniques created by Sigmund Freud and his followers
- Additional techniques in psychotherapy
- Stress and anger management
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Defense mechanisms that people use in everyday life to block out their unwanted thoughts and memories
- How to provide an ethical and positive environment for your client
- How many sessions do you need to give your clients, and how often
- and much more!
Prerequisites
For this psychotherapy training online, you will require the following:
- An interest in psychology or psychotherapy-related fields.
- Laptop, smartphone, or tablet to make notes.
Review Felippe T.
Amazing! The lecturer has incredible methodological skills.
6. Introduction to Psychotherapy – Accredited Certificate – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.5 |
| Who should take this class? | It is one of our recommended psychotherapy courses online for:
· People who want to work as a therapist, counselor, coach, or psychologist. · Anyone who wishes to use Psychotherapy in their work. · People curious about Psychotherapy. |
| Enrolled | 1,668 students |
| Duration | 2.5 hours of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Elmira Strange |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Cons | Even though it is one of the best psychotherapy training, it is hugely theoretical. |
Do you find human behavior psychology fascinating? Do you intend to offer a therapeutic service to your clients? If yes, this can be a suitable psychotherapy certification online.
Once you finish this class, you can apply your knowledge as you work with your clients and help them overcome their difficulties related to work, mental health, relationships, or finding a purpose in life.
You will have a precise path on whether psychotherapy is for you. It is fully accredited by the International Association of Therapists (IAOTH).
Learning Outcomes
It is one of Udemy’s popular psychotherapy courses online. As part of this class, you will learn the following:
- How to provide your first therapy session.
- How to provide psychotherapy to children, adults, families, and groups.
- How to create the most positive relationships with your clients.
- What are the benefits of online psychotherapy?
- Understanding who needs psychotherapy and what it involves.
- Learning about unconscious processes in the mind and defense mechanisms.
- Familiarity with internet-based therapy.
- What do we mean when we say the Unconscious mind.
- Getting well-acquainted with the psychotherapy sessions for children, adults, groups, and families.
- Where to advertise your services amongst many other topics?
Prerequisites
For this psychotherapy training online, you require:
- An interest in Psychology, Counselling, or Psychotherapy. No worries if you don’t fulfil all these prerequisites. Here are some counselling classes you can take to fill the gap.
- Eagerness to expand your knowledge on psychotherapy-related topics
- Access to Udemy material for learning
Review Lesang K.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course, it was very beneficial and insightful.
7. Counseling and Psychotherapy Theory – Offered by Seoul National University – [edX]
| Who should take this class? | It is an introductory level psychotherapy class for free. So, beginners with no background can enjoy this class. |
| Enrolled | 10,925 students |
| Duration | 9 weeks – 4–5 hours per week |
| Instructor | Chang-Dai Kim and HyunRyung Kim |
| Paid | No |
| Certification | You can choose to pay and bag a certification |
| Cons | A free version of this psychotherapy training online does not bag you a certification. |
It is an instructor-led free psychotherapy class. So, you will have to view it in the instructor’s schedule.
Learning Outcomes
It is one of the best psychotherapy courses online to learn about the following topics:
- Basic features of counseling and psychotherapy.
- Understanding and clarifying the mind’s sufferings, pains, and illnesses.
- Exploring the different coping methods.
- Traditional and modern theories of counseling theories through rich case illustrations.
- Overview of the process of positive behavioral change in human beings.
- New understanding of client problems, causes, and process of change.
- Various counseling and psychotherapy methods.
Prerequisites
This class requires no prerequisites as such.
8. Psychotherapy Paid and Free Psychotherapy Courses Online -[Coursera]
Coursera has a bunch of courses to choose from. You can find both paid and free classes on their platform. Alumni and instructors from top colleges and universities offer these sessions. So, quality is guaranteed.
You can find psychotherapy classes online for all skill levels, backgrounds, and experiences. So, you can browse through their offerings and make your pick.
A few of their worthy courses are:
- Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health – The University of Sydney
- Schizophrenia – Wesleyan University
- Introduction to Psychology – University of Toronto
9. Online Psychotherapy Training in Evidence-Based Modalities – [Psychotherapy Academy]
The Psychotherapy Academy has several courses. All of their classes are engaging and built-in evidence-based modalities. Expert clinicians with real-world experience offer their sessions. So, at all times, you will learn with the best. You can browse their listings to pick a class that matches your requirements.
Some of the best psychotherapy training you can avail them are:
- Demystifying ACT: A Practical Guide for Therapists
- ACT for Trauma: PTSD and Beyond
- DBT in Practice: Mastering the Essentials
10. Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program – [Columbia University Centre for Psychoanalytic Training and Research]
The Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program is a two-year clinical training program and one of the finest psychotherapy courses online that offer advanced supervision and instruction in psychodynamic psychotherapy. You will study with Columbia’s psychoanalytic faculty members, carefully screened and chosen for their top-notch teaching ability.
Seminars take place from 7:30 – 9:00 on Monday nights. All sessions are 45 minutes long and conducted online via Zoom at the mutual convenience of the supervisor and supervisee.
This psychotherapy certification online is planned and implemented following the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint authority of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.
Who should take this class?
This course will benefit clinicians – late, mid, or early in their career, hoping to hone or deepen their skills as certified psychotherapists in an intimate learning environment.
Learning Outcomes
These psychotherapy classes online have two parts: individual supervision and weekly seminars. In seminars, the experts guide students on the diverse psychoanalytic models of thought. Further, students discover the applied forms of treatment and psychodynamic techniques.
Format
You study from literature readings and the clinical material presentation by students and instructors. Every student works with an experienced faculty member for their weekly supervision. Students are motivated to see the patients they present in supervision, two or three times a week or as apt.
11. Online Certificate Programs – [Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies]
Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies has psychotherapy certification online that helps you make the most of your professional development and continuing education courses to achieve your goals.
All you have to do is accrue the number of our continuing education credits in designated courses specified for the certificate.
They have a vast range of options, and you can pick psychotherapy classes online, depending on what fits your goals, and proceed in any manner you deem fit.
Most of their sessions are eight-hour long and come in an audio format with the online written manuscript. So, order a class and learn with the Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies.
Related: CBT Courses Online | Sound Healing Training
Conclusion
So, these are the top 11 best psychotherapy training. We tried to include all details around the listed courses to help with your selection process. So, read and analyze before deciding. Please remember these are all excellent classes, each better than the other.
However, we believe Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Advanced Level – Accredited Cert is a relatively superior option because of the depth and comprehensiveness it follows.
