BACP Accreditation

Professional development as a counsellor and psychotherapist has always been important to me. Earlier this year, I applied for BACP accreditation, and have recently been notified that I’ve achieved my goal.

The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy offer a hierarchy of membership levels, according to different criteria. These are not awarded automatically, but applicants need to show that they fulfil the criteria.

BACP Accreditation is awarded through an in-depth application and assessment process, and it can take 4 to 6 months to hear if you have achieved the status.

The BACP Accreditation process is time-consuming, and designed to stretch you both personally and professionally.

The criteria include:

  • Training requirements, including a reflective essay on a chosen CPD training,
  • At least 450 client hours,
  • Length of time in practice (at least 3 years),
  • Supervision requirements, and your clinical supervisor/s must submit a report on your work,
  • Four written pieces of work, that ask you to demonstrate your reflection on working with clients, including self-awareness, theories that you use and knowledge of the BACP Ethical Framework.

I feel that I have benefitted from the process, and it has encouraged me to reflect on my work, and how I engage with my clients and do the work that I do. I would recommend to other counsellors and psychotherapists, that, if they are eligible for BACP Accreditation, they think about doing it for self-development.

I’m glad that I did. Also very pleased with myself that I passed first time!

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