Register with UKCP through AFSP

Why do I need to register with UKCP?

In the UK, while not law, it’s standard and good practice for practising family and systemic psychotherapists to be registered with a professional registration body. It can also be a condition of employment. Most family and systemic psychotherapists are registered with UKCP.

Our Code of Ethics and Practice (PDF, 199KB) says AFSP members practising as family and systemic psychotherapists must be registered with UKCP or another professional body.

It’s also good practice for supervisors to be registered on UKCP’s directory of approved supervisors. Supervisors are experienced family and systemic psychotherapists who provides clinical oversight, training and mentorship to trainees and qualified therapists.

What does UKCP do? How do UKCP and AFSP work together?

UKCP holds a register of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors who meet their rigorous standards in terms of qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD). They also hold a directory of approved supervisors.

UKCP is made up of 10 colleges representing different therapeutic modalities and approaches. Each college consists of organisational members. AFSP is an organisational member of the College of Family, Couple and Systemic Psychotherapy (CFCSP). The other member of this college is the Institute of Family Therapy (IFT).

Organisational members, including AFSP, support their individual members to apply for and maintain registration with UKCP.

AFSP’s registration committee:

• Reviews applications to register with UKCP from our members who have qualified as family and systemic psychotherapists
• Reviews applications to join AFSP’s approved supervisor list and UKCP’s directory of approved supervisors
• Recommends to UKCP that they add our members who meet their criteria to their register or directory

After 1 year on the UKCP register, registrants can apply to transfer their registration from AFSP or IFT to be directly registered with CFCSP.

Find out more about UKCP on their website

Why is registering with UKCP important for people having family and systemic psychotherapy?

Registration with UKCP helps maintain overall standards of practice in psychotherapy and protects the public by helping ensure therapists are properly qualified, ethical and monitored. It makes sure therapists are not acting above their level of competency.

UKCP registration is a mark of quality and trust for people having family and systemic psychotherapy. If they choose or are seen by a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, they know that the person supporting them has gone through rigorous training and meets strict professional standards. They can be more confident that they’re choosing a professional who is accountable, qualified and committed to providing quality care.

What’s the criteria to register with UKCP through AFSP?

To register with UKCP through AFSP, you need to have:

• Completed an advanced qualifying level training in the UK or overseas leading to becoming professionally qualified as a family and systemic psychotherapist – find out more about training to be a family therapist
• Joined AFSP as a member – find out more about joining AFSP

To join AFSP’s approved supervisor list and UKCP’s supervisor directory, you need to:

• Have completed an AFSP-accredited supervision training course, or meet other strict criteria listed on page 13 of our registration policy (PDF, 454KB)
• Be a UKCP-registered family and systemic psychotherapist
• Have joined AFSP as a member – find out more about joining AFSP

How do I register with UKCP through AFSP?

To apply to join the UKCP register or supervisor directory, please fill out our online UKCP registration form in our MemberZone. You’ll need to be an AFSP member to access this.

I trained abroad. Can I still register with UKCP through AFSP?

Yes, you can, by filling out our online UKCP registration form in our MemberZone. Our form will ask you some different questions if you trained abroad.

Please be aware that applying to register with UKCP via AFSP is an extensive process if you trained overseas.

You can read our registration policy (PDF, 454KB) and Blue Book of training standards (PDF, 235KB) to work out if your qualification is likely to match UK standards. Our registration committee is unable to advise on this before you submit your application.

Please note that we have a memorandum of understanding with the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI) which allows FTAI-registered family and systemic psychotherapists to register with UKCP through AFSP using our standard process.

What happens after I apply?

Our registration committee reviews each application. The committee is made up of UKCP-registered family and systemic psychotherapists who have experience as teachers and/or supervisors.

This review process can take 2 to 3 months. Overseas applications can take longer to review. If your application is successful, we’ll send you an approval email.

If you’re approved to join the UKCP register you’ll be able to upgrade your AFSP membership to ‘Registered member’. You’ll also be able to join UKCP as a full clinical member, paying their fee directly. Find information on UKCP membership fees on their website.

What do I need to do to stay on the UKCP register or supervisor directory?

We’ll ask you to renew your registration every 3 to 5 years. This will involve providing evidence that you’re continuing to meet standards of safe and effective practice and keeping your skills up to date.

Find out more on our UKCP reaccreditation page

I used to be registered with UKCP through AFSP and want to re-register. What should I do?

Please get in touch with us at hello@theafsp.org to discuss this. You may need to submit a CPD record or new application.

I’m registered with UKCP through IFT. Can I transfer across to AFSP?

Yes. Family and systemic psychotherapists currently registered with IFT can fill out our IFT transfer form (PDF, 203KB) to do this.