1.1 Psychotherapy is an independent scientific discipline, the practice of which amounts to an independent and free profession.

1.2 Training in psychotherapy takes place at an advanced, qualified and scientific level.

1.3 The multiplicity of the methods of psychotherapy is aasured and guaranteed.

1.4 In a process of psychotherapy, training is carried out in full and includes theory, self-experience and practice under supervision. Adequate knowledge is gained of further processes of psychotherapy.

1.5 Access to training is through various preliminary qualifications, in particular in human and social sciences.

2.1 The European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP) will be awarded to practitioners whose training has been completed.

2.2 It will be awarded by the European Association for Psychotherapy according to criteria determined by the EAP, on the recommendation of National Awarding Organizations which have been recognized by the EAP and with the approval of the European Wide Organization representing the modality of psychotherapy concerned.

2.3 Normally the conditions for the award of the ECP will be determined by the European Training Standards Committee of the Governing Board of EAP, and mention of EAP in this document should be taken to mean the European Training Standards Committee, on behalf of the EAP, unless otherwise specified.

2.4 Certificates will be awarded for a period of five years in the first instance.

2.5 There will be a fee for the award of the ECP, which will be split between the National Umbrella Organisation and the EAP, to cover administration costs.

3.1 National Awarding Organisations

3.1.1 Must be the National Umbrella Organisation, i.e. the single organisation within a country that is recognised by the EAP as demonstrably the largest organization representing the broadest range of different approaches to psychotherapy in that country; OR if there is no National Umbrella Organization, must be a member organization of EAP, based in the country concerned, and recognized by EAP as able to act as the National Awarding Organization.

3.1.2 Must be accredited by the EAP as having ethical guidelines and complaints procedures, training standards, methods of accrediting training, and of operating procedures for grandparenting.

3.2 European Wide Organization

3.3. Training Organization

3.4. The European Association for Psychotherapy

4.1 The method used must be well defined and have a clear theoretical basis in the human sciences.

4.2 The theory must be integrated with the practice, be applicable to a broad range of problems, and have been demonstrated to be effective.

4.3 The methods must have been scientifically recognised by the EAP and have been recognised in several European countries as valid by relevant professional organisations.

5.1 The total duration of training will be not less than 3200 hours, spread over seven years, at least four years of which must be in a training specific to psychotherapy. The EAP will, in collaboration with NAOs and European Wide Organisations determine the proportion of the training elements that need to be completed to be awarded the Certificate.

5.2 The training has been accredited by a National Awarding Organisation, by the relevant European Organisation if it is a member of EAP, and by any other professional bodies that the ETSC recognised for the purpose.

5.3 Supervision and therapy are provided by practitioners whose training would meet criteria for the award of an ECP and such other candidates as the EAP may specify.

5.4 The training meets EAP criteria for basic professional training, and includes the following elements:

5.4.1 Personal Psychotherapeutic Experience or equivalent

This should be taken to include training analysis, self-experience and other methods involving elements of self-reflection, therapy, and personal experience. No single term is agreed by all psychotherapy methods. Any training shall include arrangements to ensure that the trainees can identify and appropriately manage their personal involvement in and contributions to the processes of the psychotherapies that they practice in accordance with their specific methods.

5.4.2 Theoretical Study

There will be a general part of university study or professional training and a part which is specific to psychotherapy. University or professional courses leading to a first University degree or its equivalent professional qualification in subjects relevant to Psychotherapy may be allowed as a part of the whole of the general part of psychotherapy but cannot count towards the four years of specific psychotherapy training. The specific element of training should include the following elements:

5.4.3 Practical Training

This will include sufficient practice under continuous supervision appropriate to the psychotherapeutic method and will be at least two years in duration.

5.4.4 Placement in a Mental Health setting or equivalent professional experience

The placement must provide adequate experience of psycho-social crisis and of collaboration with other specialists in the mental health field.

6.1 By the end of the seven years of training the trainee will have to demonstrate personal, social and professional maturity and a commitment to working to the ethical standards of their National Awarding Organisation. The National Awarding Organisation will determine how this should be assessed by training organisations.

6.2 There will be an assessment of both theoretical and practical work.

6.3 The psychotherapist must be in a professional organisation recognised by the NAO and found to have satisfactory ethical standards and complaints procedures.

6.4 The psychotherapist must have completed basic professional training within one accredited organisation and advanced training within that organisation or within another accredited organisation training in the same method.

7.1 If a NAO refuses to offer for Certification trainees whose training has been by a method scientifically validated by EAP and who have otherwise completed all training requirements, the European accrediting organisation concerned with that method may request the EAP to investigate the matter. If the NAO then acted without adequate reason, the EAP may withdraw its status as an NAO.

7.2 If an EWO does not accredit the methods followed by a Training Organization which has been recognized by an NAO, the NAO may request the EAP to investigate the matter. If the EWO then acted without adequate reason, the EAP may withdraw its recognition as an EWO.

7.3 Training organizations not put forward for accreditation by an NAO can, in the absence of a relevant EWO, appeal to the ETSC who may put that organization forward to the Board of EAP for accreditation, if appropriate.

8.1 The award of an ECP will proceed in steps as follows.

8.2 National Umbrella Organisations or, in the absence of a national umbrella organization, suitably constituted national organizations will apply for recognition to the European Training Standards Committee (ETSC) of EAP for recognition as an NAO.

8.3 The ETSC will recommend them to the EAP Board for accredidation, if appropriate.

8.4 National Awarding Organisations will submit to the ETSC the dossier on each training organisation wishing to train psychotherapists for the ECP. The dossier will contain evidence showing that the training organisation(s) concerned meet EAP criteria.

8.5 The ETSC will normally consult the EWO for that modality, and may also request expert independent scientific comment on the dossier.

8.6 The ETSC will recommend the training organisation to the National Awarding Organisation for accredidation, if appropriate.

8.7 Suitably qualified psychotherapists who wish to apply for the ECP will submit an application to their National Awarding Organisation and will include a transcript of studies endorsed by their training organisation, a fee, and a photograph.

8.8 If the NAO considers that the trainee should be awarded the ECP, the NAO will so recommend to the EAP. The EAP may:

8.8.1 authorize the award of the ECP by the NAO

8.8.2 reject the recommendation

8.8.3 request further information, such as the trainee´s training dossier

8.9 For a limited period of time, there will be separate arrangements for the award of the ECP to established practitioners (see Appendix 1).

9.1 The EAP Board will develop a procedure for recording the details of psychotherapists holding the ECP, which will satisfy National Awarding Organisations as to its accuracy and accessibility.

9.2 The EAP may publish this list, whether electronically or otherwise, and may make it available to enquirers.

9.3 NAOs must inform the EAP urgently of any psychotherapist whose registration they have suspended so that this list can be modified.

10.2.1 that the practitioner has expertise in a method of psychotherapy which is recognised by the EAP

10.2.2 that the practitioners´ levels of skill are equivalent to those of a practitioner who has been trained to ECP standards

10.2.3 that the practitioner adheres to a code of ethics which is compatible with that of EAP

10.2.4 is shown that it would be unreasonable to ask a practitioner to submit themselves for assessment, or to undertake further training.

Once modalities have been recognised, a national awarding body accredited according to the criteria itemized in section 3.1, and their procedures for grandparenting approved, NAOs may submit the names of candidates for the award of ECP by grandparenting. Each NAO will have two year from the date on which the first name is submitted to complete the submission of all candidates for grandparenting from that country. Additional candidates for grandparenting will not normally be accepted by the EAP after that time. NAOs are not therefore expected to submit candidates for grandparenting until all their national procedures are in place.