Exploring the Accreditation Process - Joining a Professional Body from a Student Perspective

In Episode 287 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week's three topics:

Firstly in 'Ethical, Sustainable Practice', we look at new legislation around adoption counselling.

Then in 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with Julie Naylor about exploring the accreditation process.

And lastly, in 'Student Services', we discuss joining a professional body from a student perspective.

Update to Adoption Counselling [starts at 03:10 mins]

When it comes to working with clients wanting to discuss adoption, the legislation around this in England has recently changed. In this section on adoption counselling, Rory and Ken take us through this change, and what it means for both counsellors, and our clients:

According to the 2010 BACP legislation, in order to work with a client wanting to discuss adoption, you had to be registered with Ofsted. This meant that these clients were limited to a small pool of counsellors they could work with.

Now, this is no longer a requirement and there are more options for those who want to access therapy.

Counsellors working with these clients should still be trained in early trauma, developmental trauma, attachment, and have a good knowledge of the adoption process.

If adoption comes up during a counselling session, you no longer need to refer that client if it's not their primary presenting issue.

Get training on adoption and build your understanding.

Let your insurer, supervisor, and ethical body know if you're working with a client about adoption.

Exploring the Accreditation Process [starts at 20:10 mins]

In this week's 'Practice Matters', Rory speaks with good friend Julie Naylor about her personal motivations and experiences undergoing the accreditation process.

The key points of this discussion include:

If you run your own practice, you might be considering becoming accredited to secure an unknown future.

Some EAPs require accreditation for you to work with them.

Julie found the experience both challenging and enlightening.

Julie found it challenging to decipher what it was she was being asked to do, but found it enlightening to go back to the key foundations of her modality.

You have to recall and reflect on things that have now just become second nature.

You can always look for help and support from your supervisor.

It's a really good opportunity to reconnect with the fundamentals.

The process is more for you personally, than for your clients.

Joining a Professional Body from a Student Perspective [starts at 40:21 mins]

As a student, you're likely to at some point choose a professional body to join, and it's important that you know this choice is completely up to you! In this section, Rory and Ken discuss the purpose of choosing the right ethical body for you:

Joining a professional body is great for your employability - it gives you external accountability.

You have a choice of ethical body - do your research to find which one will be the best fit for you, and which one you're happy to align yourself with.

How do they support you? Do they offer any kind of training?

Which gives you the best value for money, and which ethical framework best fits your values?

Check that the ethical body you choose is aligned with the Professional Standards Authority.

If aligned with the PSA, your ethical body is valid no matter which one you choose.

An ethical body protects the clients, and holds you to a certain standard.

Links and Resources

Updated guidance on adoption counselling

Julie Naylor's website

Counselling Skills Academy

Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision

Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide

Counsellor CPD

Counselling Study Resource

Counselling Theory in Practice: A Student Guide