Membership Criteria

The Association is dedicated to the maintenance of psychodynamic counselling in the Brighton area, and aims to provide a forum for debate, a referral service and an accreditation procedure for becoming a practising member

Full members will be expected

1. to have a Diploma in Counselling or an equivalent qualification involving an extended period of supervised practice.

2. to show evidence of at least two years, post qualified, one to one or equivalent group, supervised counselling practice with a psychodynamic supervisor approved by the Association. [ The Association keeps a register of approved supervisors].

3. to show evidence of personal therapy or counselling with a full BACP member or equivalent, extending over at least two years. The therapy or counselling should be of a psychodynamic nature and taken within two years of the beginning the supervised practice.

4. to agree to accept the standards and aims of the Association.

5. to seek accreditation where appropriate with the British Association of Counselling, UKCP, BACP or to become a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society - Division of Counselling Psychology, with a current Practising Certificate.

6. to show evidence of current insurance.

7. to show evidence of minimum ongoing fortnightly individual supervision or weekly group supervision with an approved psychodynamically qualified supervisor.

8. to be a member of the referral service.

9. to attend meetings and forums regularly.

10. to inform us of any change in their conditions of service or work that would transgress the standard constitution of the Association.

The list of members will be reviewed tri-annually and persons wishing to make an application to join the list will do so to the membership secretary. Failure to comply with the standards or constitution of the Association may result in disciplinary procedures which may lead to dismissal from the Association. Although every effort will be made to ensure that all members meet the above provisions, SPT cannot accept any responsibility for the treatment or therapy which is pursued with the counsellor and client, and members shoud ensure that this is made clear to clients.

An Annual General Meeting will be held once a year at which an Annual Report and accounts will be presented. A subscription for the year will be set at that meeting which will be open only to fully paid up members.

Those who fulfil the above criteria, but do not wish to take referrals, may join SPT as associate members for a reduced fee. In addition associate membership may be offered to trainees on counselling training courses, members of BACP, or to persons who can demonstrate an adequate interest in psychodynamic counselling. Associated members will receive all mailings and may attend meetings, but will not have voting rights at the AGM nor be part of the referral service.