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UKCP Registration Process via AFT and FAQs

UKCP Registration Process via AFT & FAQ's

If you have completed and been awarded a professional qualification in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy (or equivalent if you have trained overseas or hold an ECP validated by EFTA), you may be eligible to apply for professional registration with the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy, UKCP.

Qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapists, seeking UKCP registration may apply via AFT or IFT for recommendation to the UKCP register. See the 'Who is UKCP' page for details on UKCP and college structure.

AFT’s Registration committee assesses new applications for UKCP registration and ensures that AFT members, for whom it recommends as UKCP ‘registered members,’ continue to maintain and meet the requirements for UKCP registration each year (see CPD policy).

Evidence of Professional Registration (e.g. UKCP) may be a requirement for employment as a Qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapist. 

For Frequently Asked Questions on the application process please scroll down.

 

Flow chart of the application process

Click here to download full pdf

 

How to Apply for Initial UKCP Registration via AFT

  • AFT are only able to accept applications from current AFT 'members'. Please see the Join Us page.

  • AFT members can access all the application forms here


How to Re-register or Transfer

  • Family and Systemic Psychotherapists who have previously held UKCP registration or wish to transfer current UKCP validation (from IFT or CFSCP) to be via AFT, must first join as an AFT 'Member'. Join Us
  • AFT 'Members' wishing to re-register with UKCP or transfer should then contact AFT's Membership Officer .
  • In accordance with the conditions for re-registration detailed in the Registration Policy, the AFT office will review previous records and advise whether a, CPD review, re-registration or new APEL application is required. An application fee is required for re-registration and APEL applications. 

 

Please read the following polices, located on the Policy, standards and guidance page:

Registration Policy:

  • This sets out the process and requirements for individual members to apply for and maintain registration as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist with UKCP via AFT including re-registration.
The Blue Book:
  • APEL applicants should also read AFT’s training standards document the Blue book.
  • This details AFT’s training standards, learning outcomes and requirements individuals must full fill to be awarded a Masters degree in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy. 

 AFT's CPD policy

AFT’s Code of Ethics and Practice

Recommended Standards of Employment Document

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am fully qualified, do I need to hold registration to practice in the UK?

Although in the UK registration to practice as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist is not statutory, it is standard and good practice, for the protection of the public, to be registered with a professional registration body such as UKCP.

AFT members practising as Family and Systemic Psychotherapists in any capacity should:

  • In accordance with AFT’s Code of Ethics, be registered with UKCP (United Kingdom for Psychotherapy) or another registering body which can protect the public by receiving and managing complaints regarding their family and systemic psychotherapy practice.
  • Have professional indemnity insurance for family and systemic practice
  • Maintain continuing professional development.
  • Have appropriate supervision

I qualified overseas, can you tell me if my course would be deemed equivalent to UK Family and Systemic Psychotherapy 4 year Masters level training courses that AFT accredit?

The Registration Committee are unable to assess training courses as equivalent prior to an application being submitted as courses and individual experience varies.

For those who hold the European Certificate of Psychotherapy, ECP, validated by EFTA, they may apply directly for the UKCP register via UKCP college - UKCP CFCSP application route.  Or for AFT members holding an ECP, they may wish to apply via AFT for UKCP registration. Please see the member area application form page.

Potential applicants should read the Registration policy which sets out the requirements for application and also the Blue Book of training standards to ascertain if their training matches the UK standards for Masters degree qualification in family and systemic psychotherapy.

Applicants may wish to consult with a supervisor who is a UKCP registered Family and Systemic Psychotherapist to support them in completion of the application process. A list of Approved Systemic Supervisors is accessible to AFT members HERE.

Some of the training elements required to be evidenced and demonstrated in application include:

  • Course components, structure and length
  • Clinical hours and live supervised clinical hours
  • Teaching and personal development hours
  • Self-reflection
  • Systemic supervision
  • Continued professional development (CPD)
  • Up-to-date systemic theory and evidence based knowledge

Please be aware that application to register with UKCP via AFT, for those trained overseas, is extensive.

Please see the Join Us page.

 

How long does the review process take?

The process usually takes up-to 2 months for new qualifying applications and up-to 3 months for APEL application, but these can take longer. All applications may be delayed in processing should additional information be required. Although we endeavour to process applications as quickly as possible for recommendation to the UKCP register, we are unable to expedite.

Please note, the final stage, once recommended, is to directly join UKCP. UKCP's processing time for submission onto the UKCP register and sending out UKCP certificates confirming annual full clinical membership is additional.

Who reviews and processes my application?

Applications are processed and initially checked by AFT's Membership Officer.

They are then sent out to Registration Committee panellists for review.

What do I need to enclose with my application?

Please see the application form for full details and also the table in Section 2 of the Registration policy.

What if I am not currently seeing any clients?

Applications cannot be fully processed and recommended to UKCP for registration unless all the requirements of regulation are in place, including client hours.

If you are about to begin a confirmed post and your employer can confirm clients work, or you are setting up in private practice and can confirm you will be able to build up and have at least 12 hours of client work per month, your application would be considered.

If you are applying via the APEL route and coming to work in the UK, but have not yet secured work, please consult AFT’s registration policy and application form for guidance.

My Supervisor is not UKCP registered.

New applicants are required to have systemic supervision from an AFT Approved Supervisor or a UKCP registered Family Therapist who has been qualified for at least 3 years. Please see the application form and CPD policy.

I have supervision from more than one supervisor, should I include a reference from each?

We require evidence from your systemic supervisor(s) for all of your current supervision that makes-up the full 1.5hr monthly requirement. Therefore if you have 1hr of Individual supervision from one supervisor & 1/2hr of group supervision from another lead supervisor, you will need to enclose two references. Supervision Groups larger than 6 or peer supervision is not accepted within the minimum requirement, but can be extra. Please see the CPD policy for full details of the supervision requirements.