Accessing Therapy pathway 

The diagram provides an overview of some of ways in which Family Therapy may be accessed.

Disclaimer: AFT does not provide therapeutic services and the AFT office cannot provide any further information than that provided on this website.

NHS Services

NHS-funded family therapy is available but services vary across areas. GPs can refer to the mental health NHS teams or you may be able to self-refer via your local health care trust's website. Services can be in high demand and waiting list may be long in some areas. Services are available for children and young people (Child and Adolescent Mental Health services) or Adult Services.  

Independent Private Therapy Services

Independent therapists working in private practice may advertise on Counselling and Psychotherapy directories e.g. UKCP 

• Via Private Medical Insurance e.g. BUPA,
• Low-Cost Therapy Organisations e.g. local charities or training institutes
• Specialist Support Organisations e.g. National organisation such as Relate
• Local independent services e.g. The Child and Family Practice
  

Please see the ‘useful links page’ 

Accessing Private Psychotherapists through an online directory

AFT is not a professional registration body and requires its qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapy members to hold registration with a professional body such as UKCP. Professional bodies provide an online register for the public to check a therapists credentials. It is recommended that anyone considering private Family therapy considers checking a therapist’s qualification certificate and registration.

How to find Family Therapists working independently

UKCP is a professional body who holds a national register of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Only therapists who meet UKCP’s exacting standards and training requirements can be on their register. This is a voluntary register which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The UKCP ‘Find a Therapist’ directory provides details of fully qualified, accredited and UKCP registered Family and Systemic Psychotherapists. 

All qualified and accredited Family and Systemic Psychotherapists listed on the UKCP register adhere to UKCP’s code of Ethics and are covered by their complaints and conduct procedure.

How to update your UKCP profile for the 'Find a Therapist' page

UKCP provide a useful  ‘How to guide’ for updating your UKCP profile for the public.

Please click here  'update-your-find-a-therapist-profile'

Statement by AFT on professional and service titles

AFT is aware that some practitioners with foundation training are describing themselves as Family Therapists, and the services employing them are using the term Family Therapy. While there is at present no legal obstacle to them doing so, this may have implications for clinical governance and Complaints within NHS Trusts and other employers.
AFT is concerned that families and others seeking therapy may be under the impression they are working with a professional who is fully trained and qualified in systemic family psychotherapy when they are not.  Please see "Levels of Training and Competence for Practice" 

Practitioners entering into an AFT accredited systemic family therapy clinical training course usually already have a prior professional qualification in a health and social care related profession, so come into the field with a great deal of experience in working with vulnerable children, young people, adults and their families. The training to become a fully qualified systemic family therapist takes four years and only then are practitioners eligible for registration with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and to use the title 'Family and Systemic Psychotherapist'. See AFT’s Code of Ethics.