The professional practice of psychologists is based on constant updating. Year after year, new knowledge to apply both in research and in psychological intervention is emerging and, moreover, there are so many things to learn that you never reach a point where you master absolutely everything related to this science.

That is why it is essential to train even after obtaining the first university degree. In this article we will review the characteristics of the best online training for psychologists , and we will see some examples of what is advantageous and what is not.

The characteristics of the best online training for psychologists

Online training is one more tool that psychologists have at their disposal to continue learning regardless of the professional branch they are working in. The ease of access to its contents, as well as the possibility of having flexible schedules and making the curriculum compatible with other responsibilities, are the main assets of this option, as well as the savings in the cost of transfers.

Therefore, it is practical to include in the schedule several weekly moments dedicated to workshops, courses or even online masters. The possibility of learning through the Internet even allows for two training programmes to be carried out at the same time , depending on their characteristics and duration, in order to make the most of the time and arrive the following year with much more knowledge.

In most cases, online training cannot be the only thing on which a psychologist’s learning path over the years is based, since this also requires experience on the ground (including professional experience), but it is still an excellent way to increase the level of knowledge and skills.

But… what are the characteristics of the best online training for psychologists? Let’s look at several criteria to help select quality learning programs.

1. Allows to have the advice of tutors

The fact that a training programme is online does not mean that there is no human interaction in it . Nothing is further from the truth; the tools that the Internet puts at our disposal help us to establish fluid communication with the people in charge of these courses.

In the case of online training for psychologists, it is also important to have the supervision of expert tutors in the field, as they are able to solve doubts related to the always unpredictable work of the psychologist (as they have experience given by their professional career) and to guide students when focusing on the topics that interest them most within the broad world of behavioral science.

2. It has its own easily accessible material

Most of the academic material used in online training programs must be specifically designed for the students of that course, master’s degree or workshop. The online platform on which it is based cannot be a directory of links in which there are mainly pages or documents created by people outside that training programme.

Background reading is always helpful, but cannot be the core of what is learned.

3. Has a theoretical and practical orientation

Online training in psychology does not consist of reading about what in theory occurs in the human mind; it explains psychological principles discovered through research in real cases. For this reason, it is important that the people who design these contents have practical experience and are mainly dedicated to the professional exercise of their function as psychologists outside the classroom.

An example: the online University Master’s Degree in Integrative Psychotherapy

The Mensalus Institute, a reference centre for psychological and psychiatric assistance in Barcelona , has a highly recommendable training programme: the online University Master’s Degree in Integrative Psychotherapy, which lasts one academic year and is based on the supervision of real cases.
This master’s degree takes advantage of all the benefits of having been developed in one of the largest psychology centers in the Catalan capital: it has many mental health professionals who collaborate with its operation and development, and it is also possible to follow up on real clinical cases of patients of this organization.

In this master’s degree, work is carried out both through live classes and through theoretical and practical content in audiovisual or text format that is posted and can be consulted at any time. The simple fact of having a device connected to the network at hand allows you to study and work on the subject.

In addition, its contents are varied, and allow the understanding of the fundamentals of therapy in adults, children and adolescents, all from an integrative theoretical position. Upon completion, a university degree is obtained from the University of Nebrija, which is associated with this master’s degree. To learn more about it, access Mensalus’ contact details by clicking here.