Every January we receive calls from professionals who want to specialize but do not know how to tell programs apart. They almost always compare price and schedule. We suggest comparing three other things.
Who supervises the practicum
A graduate program in psychotherapy without supervised practice is just a theory course. Ask how many practicum hours it includes, at which institutions it takes place, and who signs off on the supervision.
At ICF, the practicum takes place within our Práctica Network, which brings together hospitals, foundations, and educational centers across Guatemala.
What anthropological model sustains the program
Every psychotherapy starts from an idea of the person, even if it is never made explicit. Ask what that idea is. If no one can answer, the program probably teaches techniques without foundation.
What happens after graduation
Ask about the graduates. Where they work, whether they opened a practice, whether the institution sustains any professional community after the degree.
A graduate program that cannot name its graduates will not be able to accompany yours either.
