UKAHPP REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION

UKAHPP holds a Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Accredited Register offering counsellors and psychotherapists, working with adults in the UK, a range of registration and accreditation options relevant to their training and experience.

A streamlined route exists for the smooth transfer of counselling and psychotherapy registration from other PSA Accredited Register holders including the transfer of UKCP Registration – see Section C below.

UKAHPP membership is open to practitioners from a range of professional backgrounds and members of the public who have an interest in Humanistic Psychology (Associate Membership) – see Section D below.

The UKAHPP offers five categories of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counsellor registration and accreditation:

• Entry Level Registered Member (ELRM)

• Registered Member (RM)

• Accredited Registered Member (ARM)

• Higher Accredited Registered Member: Psychotherapist (HARP)*

• Higher Accreditation Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (HARPC)*

Note: * Includes UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registration

Summary of Training Criteria

  ELRM RM ARM HARPC HARP
Academic Level 4 5 +5 7 7
Tutor Contact Hours 400 450 450 450 900
Practice Hours 100 100 450 450 450
Personal Therapy 30 30 60 105 160

 

 

A. CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION

1. Entry Level Registration

Entry Level Registered Membership is granted to applicants who have successfully completed a counselling training course including 100 hours of supervised practice (not private practice) at Level 4 of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (Diploma of Higher Education; Foundation Degree; Higher National Diploma). As other frameworks exist and may vary, applicants must demonstrate how their training equates to level 5 of the QAA.

Holders of this category of registration are encouraged to attain Registered Membership or Accredited Registered Membership within two years of joining the Register.

Members holding Entry Level Registration are not endorsed to work in private practice and will not be included in the UKAHPP on-line “Find a Therapist” facility. Registered Entry Level members are committed to lifelong CPD.

In addition all categories of registered membership require applicants to:

  • Hold appropriate indemnity Insurance
  • Agree to undertake at least 250 hours of Continuing Professional Development over a 5 year period with a minimum of 20 hours per year.
  • Be in practice in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a minimum of 3 client hours per week.
  • Be in receipt of supervision appropriate to their training and practice for a minimum of 90 minutes per month
  • Provide a Supervisor’s Report(s) in support of their application
  • Have a Therapeutic Executor arrangement
  • Complete a Notification of Practice and Annual Renewal Declaration Form and provide additional information as requested by UKAHPP.
  • Consent to their name and professional standing, including complaints and sanctions if applicable, published on the UKAHPP Register and website.
  • Declare any unspent practices complaints and criminal convictions prejudicial to their fitness to practice.
  • Declare that their health and character (physical and mental) is of sufficiently good standing to enable them to practice safely and effectively.
  • Abide by the UKAHPP Code of Practice and Ethical Principles and for their practice to be accountable under the UKAHPP Complaints Procedure.

2. Registered Membership

Registered Membership will be awarded to applicants who have successfully completed a recognised practice based Humanistic training OR equivalent portfolio practice based training. Applicants are required to provide evidence that training meets the following criteria:

• Is at level 5 or above of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (Diploma of Higher Education; Foundation Degree; Higher National Diploma). As other frameworks exist and may vary, applicants must demonstrate how their training equates to level 5 of the QAA framework.

  • Has a minimum of 450 tutor contact hours
  • 100 hours of supervised practice within a recognised placement, not private practice
  • 1 hour of supervision to each 6 hours of client contact
  • 30 hours of personal therapy
  • Supervisor’s Report(s) (not tutor or peer related
  • The minimum curriculum content includes:
  • The theory and practice of a Humanistic approach from referral to discharge

  • An introduction to Psychoanalytic and Cognitive Behavioural approaches

  • A theory of human nature, psychological distress and change

  • Safeguarding awareness Diversity and Equality

  • Professional considerations

3. Accredited Registration

Accredited registered Membership will be awarded to applicants who meet the training criteria for Registered Membership as above and have completed:

  • An additional 350 hours of post training supervised Humanistic practice within a minimum of two years (A total of 450 hours including 100 hours during training)
  • An additional 30 hours of Personal Therapy (A total of 60 hours including 30 hours during training)
  • The above being supported by a Supervisor’s Report. If an applicant has more than one supervisor additional reports are required – the primary report must be submitted in respect of consultative supervisor not peer supervision (individual, group etc).

3a. Attainment of Additional Criteria Upgrading Registered to Accredited Membership

Members holding Registered Membership may upgrade to Accredited Registered Membership if they can evidence attainment of the additional criteria – 350 hours of post training supervised Humanistic practice within a minimum of two years and 30 hours of post training personal Therapy. These requirements are in addition to normal CPD requirements applicable to all Registrants.

Registered Members may apply for this upgrade by completing the Accredited Registered Membership (Attainment of Additional Criteria) Application Form – see link below.

How to Apply

A generic Registration Application Form applies to the three options outlined above. Applications are to be submitted on the latest version of the Application Form in 12 point black ‘Arial’ font and returned with supporting documents as ‘PDF’ email attachments, to [email protected]. Handwritten applications, e-photos and links to e-document are NOT acceptable and will be returned to the applicant.

LINK: APPLICATION FORM – ELRM-RM-ARM

LINK: APPLICATION FORM – Accredited Registration Attainment of Additional Criteria

LINK: SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

B. HIGHER ACCREDITATION

UKAHPP Higher Accredited Membership is the highest level of professional recognition the association can affirm on a practitioner for inclusion on the UKAHPP Register of Humanistic Psychotherapists and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors.

A streamlined route exists for Psychotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors Accreditation transferring from another PSA accredited registers.

As a UKCP Organisational Member, UKAHPP Higher Accreditation is compatible with UKCP Registration with the Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College and the Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Intersubjective Psychotherapy College.

1. Higher Accreditation: Psychotherapist

UKAHPP Psychotherapist Accreditation is open to applicants who have successfully completed a full practice based Master’s level training programme in a Humanistic Psychotherapy approach OR an equivalent portfolio of Master’s level trainings, including a substantial Humanistic Psychotherapy Training. Any accreditation criteria not covered by a core training programme must be evidenced by completion of additional post graduate modular training with qualifications. Applicants are normally expected to apply for accreditation within 2 years of graduation. See link below for the full version of Higher Accreditation: Psychotherapist – the following is a summary of the criteria:

  • The award of a Humanistic Psychotherapy qualification at Level 7 or equivalent of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (Master’s Degree, Integrated Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate). As other frameworks exist and may vary, applicants must demonstrate how their training equates to level 7 of the QAA.
  • 900 training hours (comprising core training, supervision, mental health familiarisation placement) with a minimum of 600 direct tutor contact hours core training over a minimum of 4 years part-time covering the: Theory and Practice in a recognised Humanistic Psychotherapy approach; Theoretical understanding of other Humanistic Psychotherapy approaches and alternative Psychotherapy Modalities such as Psychoanalytic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches; Diversity and Equality; Research; Safeguarding Awareness; Ethics; Security and Confidentiality.
  • 450 hours of supervised practice in a recognised area of psychotherapy practice, over a minimum of 2 years.
  • 1 hour of supervision to 6 hours of Client Contact that reflects the approach practiced, in an established face-to-face relationship preferably with the same UKAHPP Higher Accredited Psychotherapist/Supervisor or equivalent.
  • A minimum of 160 hours of face-to-face Personal Therapy in the approach the applicant practices, over at least 4 years, with not less than 40 hours per year, preferably with the same Accredited Psychotherapist for 3 years.
  • Abide by the UKAHPP Code of Practice and Ethical Principles and be held accountable for their practice under the UKAHPP Complaints Procedure

PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL CRITERIA

Note: The practice of Higher Accredited Members who are also UKCP Registered will normally be governed under the UKCP Central Complaints Procedure

How to Apply

Please access the following links for additional information and an Application Form

LINK: APPLICATION-FORM – HIGHER ACCREDITATION Psychotherapist

LINK: DETAILED CRITERIA – HIGHER ACCREDITATION Psychotherapist

LINK: SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

LINK: REFEREE’S STATEMENT

LINK: MENTAL HEALTH FAMILIARISATION GUIDELINES

LINK: CASE STUDY GUIDELINES

2. Higher Accreditation: Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

UKAHPP Psychotherapeutic Counsellor Higher Accreditation is open to applicants who have successfully completed a 2 year (full-time) or at least 3 years (part-time) dedicated practice based graduate training in Psychotherapeutic Counselling grounded in a Humanistic approach OR an equivalent portfolio of graduate trainings, including a substantial Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling Training. Any accreditation criteria not covered in a training programme are to be evidenced by completion of additional graduate modular training and qualifications. Applicants are normally expected to apply for accreditation within 2 years of graduation. See link below for the full version of Higher Accreditation Psychotherapeutic Counsellor – Criteria – the following is a summary:

  • The award of a Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor qualification at Level 6 or equivalent of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Diploma; Graduate Certificate). As other frameworks exist and may vary, applicants must demonstrate how their training equates to level 6 of the QAA.
  • 450 hours of tutor contact covering the: Theory and Practice of Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Humanistic Psychology; Knowledge of the therapeutic relationship; Theoretical understanding of therapeutic concepts within a wide range of practice, including safeguarding, diversity and equality awareness.
  • 450 hours of supervised practice as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, with a minimum of 3 clients per week over 2 years.
  • 1 hour of supervision to 6 hours of Client Contact that reflects the approach practiced, in an established face-to-face relationship preferably with the same UKAHPP Accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor or Psychotherapist (or equivalent). Minimum 5 hours of supervision per month.
  • A minimum of 105 hours of face-to-face Personal Therapy in the approach the applicant practices, with a UKAHPP Accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor or Psychotherapist (or equivalent, 50 hours with the same therapist.
  • Abide by the UKAHPP Code of Practice and Ethical Principles and be held accountable for their practice under the UKAHPP Complaints Procedure.

PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL CRITERIA

Note: The practice of Higher Accredited Members who are also UKCP Registered will normally be governed under the UKCP Central Complaints Procedure.

How to Apply

Additional information and an Application Form can be accessed by pressing the following links.

LINK: DETAILED CRITERIA – HIGHER ACCREDITATION Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

LINK: APPLICATION-FORM – HIGHER ACCREDITATION Psychotherapeutic-Counsellor

LINK: CASE STUDY GUIDELINES

LINK: REFEREE’S STATEMENT

LINK: SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

C. STREAMLINED TRANSFER OF ACCREDITATION AND REGISTRATION

The Streamlined route exists for the smooth transfer of counselling and psychotherapy registration and registration from other PSA Accredited Registers including the transfer of UKCP Registration.

1. Higher Accreditation: Psychotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor from other UKCP Organisational Members

This Higher Accreditation streamlined route allows for the transfer of UKCP Registration from Organisational Members of the Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College (HIPC) and Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Intersubjective Psychotherapy College (PCIPC). Higher Accreditation is renewable every five years.

Criteria

Applicants are required to:

1. Have successfully completed a professional training equivalent to UKAHPP Higher Accreditation requirements (see links below for full version of the criteria):

a. Psychotherapist – 900 hours tutor contact hours at level 7 of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies or equivalent (Master’s Degree, Integrated Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate); 450 hours supervised practice; 160 hours of personal therapy. Please see UKAHPP website for full criteria.

b. Psychotherapeutic Counsellor – 450 hours tutor contact hours at level 6 of the QAA Framework or equivalent (Bachelor’s Degree with or without honours, Professional Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate); 450 hours supervised practice; 105 hours of personal therapy. Please see UKAHPP website for full criteria.

Note: As other frameworks exist and may vary, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence that their training is equivalent with the QAA framework.

2. Agreement to abide by UKAHPP Code of Practice and Ethical Principles.

Applicants applying for accreditation via the transfer route are required to meet the full published accreditation criteria – see link below.

Applicants whose training does not meet the criteria are required to provide evidence of post graduate Continual Professional Development training demonstrating how any deficiencies in the accreditation criteria have been complied with UKAHPP criteria for Higher Accreditation Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.

Applicants may be required to provide additional information or attend an on-line interview before registration can be affirmed.

How to Apply

Applications are to be submitted using the latest version of the Application Form, available on the UKAHPP Website, in 12 point black Arial font and submitted with supporting documents as PDF email attachments to [email protected] with £100.00 application fee. Please contact the UKAHPP Administrator for BACS transfer details.

LINK: DETAILED CRITERIA – HIGHER ACCREDITATION Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

LINK: DETAILED CRITERIA – HIGHER ACCREDITATION Psychotherapist

LINK: Application Form – TRANSFER HIGHER ACCREDITATION

LINK: Supervisor’s Report

2. Transfer of Registration/Accreditation from other PSA Accredited Registers

The UKAHPP welcomes applications from accredited Humanistic Psychotherapists and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors wishing to transfer their registration from other PSA Accredited Registers.

Criteria

Applicants are required to:

  • Have successfully completed a professional training.

  • Evidence of current accreditation in good standing, with dates of first accreditation and date of next renewal

  • Copy of current professional liability insurance

  • Statement of Humanistic Practice

  • Details of any complaints

  • Details of other professional accreditations and registrations

  • Agreement to abide by UKAHPP Code of Practice and Ethical Principles.

  • Signed declaration and Notification of Practice Details

  • Submit a Supervisor’s Report

Applicants applying for accreditation via the transfer route are required to meet the published accreditation criteria – applicants whose training does not meet the criteria are required to provide evidence of post graduate Continual Professional Development training demonstrating how any deficiencies in the accreditation criteria have been complied.

Applicants may be required to provide additional information or attend an on-line interview before registration can be affirmed.

How to Apply

Applications are to be submitted using the latest version of the Application Form, available on the UKAHPP Website, in 12 point black Arial font and submitted with supporting documents as PDF email attachments to [email protected] with £100.00 application fee. Please contact the UKAHPP Administrator for BACS transfer details.

LINK: Application Form – TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION

LINK: Supervisor’s Report

D. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate Members are professionals and members of the public interested in aspects of Humanistic Psychology such as Psychotherapy; Psychotherapeutic Counselling; Medicine; Education; Management; Social Work etc. who do not currently require or qualify for UKAHPP registration or accreditation.

Associate Membership is primarily a non-practice based category of membership open to professionals and members of the public who have an interest in Humanistic Psychology and agree to abide by the UKAHPP Code of Ethical Principles as applicable.

As this category of membership does not endorse practice, Associate Members are not covered under the UKAHPP Complaints Procedure, they are not included in the UKAHPP ‘Find a Therapist’ website facility and are not permitted to use the UKAHPP logo or their membership status to promote services they may provide.

Associate Members seeking validation for their practice are encouraged to consider other categories of membership as and when necessary.

How to Apply

Please click on the following link for an Application Form or contact [email protected] if you require further information.

LINK: UKAHPP ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – APPLICATION FORM

November 2023

Other information

If you have any queries regarding membership or would just like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.