Guidance for Applicants
Process
Initially those wishing to apply for accreditation should access the relevant parts of this Website which will:
- provide information on membership, including fees;
- provide an overview of the process and requirements in applying for accreditation through The Centre.
When you are satisfied you understand the process and requirements, if you wish to apply for accreditation as a Transpersonal Psychotherapist your first step should be to apply to join as an Associate Member (Accredited Member in Preparation). Associate Members and Full Members are required to abide by the Centre’s Code of Ethics & Practice and its professional conduct procedures. On successful application as an Associate Member, the Secretary will provide you with any further information needed with regards submitting documentation for accreditation, dates of Personal and Standing Boards, the Viva and so on.
Accreditation Criteria.
Applications for accreditation must meet the same standards required by Training Member Organisations of UKCP as set out in UKCP Education & Training Standards (2008).
A summary of general criteria and submission requirements is given below.
Documentation
There are six documentary elements of the accreditation ‘portfolio’. These are:
The Viva
The Viva is the final part of your application. It is an interview with the Personal Board which takes place once the portfolio of documents and references is complete and verified. It helps the Personal Board decide if there is a good fit between the ethos and values of the Centre and you and your practice.
In the Viva, the Personal Board will be looking for evidence of a breadth of understanding and awareness, learning and skills. The format will typically take the form of questions and answers with opportunity to discuss general themes, the case study and personal statement of philosophic orientation already contained in your submitted portfolio. It lasts about an hour. The Viva is not a test and it does not require you to present new material but rather you should be prepared to discuss aspects of your work, learning and journey from a transpersonal perspective.
The Accreditation Co-ordinator will contact you to set up the meeting and a date and time will be agreed for the Viva. Failure to attend without good reason will be deemed as withdrawal from the accreditation process.
You should regard the Viva as an opportunity to put your case forward and to convince the Personal Board of the strong presence of the transpersonal perspective in your work with clients and your own approach as a psychotherapist, as detailed in the criteria document.
A standing fee of £75 is charged for the Viva.
Following the Viva the Personal Board will provide a report to the Standing Board.
The Standing Board
Meets to consider your application and the report from the Personal Board. The decision of Standing Board will take one of the following forms:
(a) application for accreditation is successful;
(b) application for accreditation is unsuccessful;
(c) application for accreditation is unsuccessful, however the applicant should address the following areas (to be outlined) and re-apply at a later date.
The Standing Board’s decision will be communicated in writing and reasons for the decision will be explained.
Appeals
In the case of your application being declined, you may appeal against the decision of the Standing Board on the following grounds:
- the reasons given are not sufficient to reject the application;
- the accreditation procedures were not properly followed.
Appeals must be made to the Chair of the Standing Board within 28 days of notification of the Standing Board’s decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing, clearly explaining the reasons for appeal.
Appeals will be considered by the External Moderator in the first instance, who will then make a recommendation to the Chair of the Standing Board. The Standing Board will review the decision in the light of the External Moderator’s recommendations.
Training
Overall training must total a minimum of 900 hours, including supervision and normally must include at least one, substantive element of professional training totalling at least 450 hours.
All training must relate to progress and development towards professional accreditation across specific elements, culminating with assessment at post-graduate level (SEEC Level 7: see appendices). This training is usually of 3 to 5 years duration and should be completed no more that 5 years before the application for accreditation.
Documentary evidence:
- certificate(s) of successful completion of training in psychotherapy, including elements of transpersonal related training;
- reference from training director / personal tutor from the substantive (at least 450 hours) training element. Further references may be required at the discretion of the Accreditation Co-ordinator.
Supervised client hours
You should be currently practising as a psychotherapist, normally with a minimum of 4 clients per week.
You will have completed at least 450 client hours, of which no less than 150 hours should have been undertaken whilst under supervision with a transpersonally orientated supervisor, who will normally be a UKCP or BACP registered psychotherapist.
Your client hours will normally be undertaken working with adult clients.
Supervision
The ratio of individual supervision hours to overall client hours should be a minimum of 1:6 (group supervision should reflect this ratio proportionally) and normally total at least 75 hours.
An element (normally at least 25 hours) of supervision should reflect transpersonal orientated approaches to psychotherapy and with a transpersonally orientated supervisor, who would normally be UKCP or BACP accredited.
Documentary evidence:
- a log of clients / hours is required over a specified time period, indicating supervision received;
- references are required from supervisors, with evidence of their own professional accreditation.
Placement
You will have completed a mental health familiarisation placement, usually for at least 1 day a week for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Documentary evidence:
- a reflective diary/account of the placement is required;
- confirmation of successful completion of the placement is required from the setting itself.
Personal therapy
The minimum requirement for personal therapy during training is 40 hours per year over the course of your training, Specifically, you will have been in personal therapy with a transpersonal psychotherapist and /or have undertaken a related spiritual journey/process during the course of your training or the during the accreditation process.
Documentary evidence:
- a brief statement regarding the nature of this therapeutic or spiritual process is required, together with appropriate supporting evidence from the provider of that process.
Note: reference to personal therapy and/or spiritual journey/process will normally be made within the applicant’s personal statement.
Written papers
a) A personal statement of philosophical and theoretical orientation (4,000 words approx.).
b) A case study (6,000 – 6,500 words).
Assessment of Written Papers
The two written papers will be assessed at Level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework. This is at Masters or postgraduate level.
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