Application for accreditation for clinical membership of the AASP is a detailed process that includes completing a written application (including a case discussion) as well as attending an interview in which applicants will be asked to discuss their work.
The process of accreditation requires that the applicant meet certain specific requirements in terms of training, supervision and personal therapy, and can demonstrate how these are integrated in their practice of somatic psychotherapy.
In special circumstances, an applicant may not have fulfilled all the formal requirements but may still be considered for accreditation. Special circumstances may involve an applicant presenting with an unusual pathway of training. Such applicants may still be considered by the Accreditation Panel to be suitable for accreditation, on the basis of a qualitative assessment derived from their written application and then in the interview.
THEORETICAL ORIENTATION
Applicants are required to demonstrate their understanding of both the somatic and the psychodynamic aspects of somatic psychotherapy.
The Accreditation Panel recognises that training in somatic psychotherapy often involves an introduction to a range of different theoretical approaches to the practice of somatic psychotherapy and recognises that different applicants may have a particular strength or interest in one or other of these directions. The panel will respect each individual's development of their own personal style and orientation and is interested in applicants being able to demonstrate coherence in their thinking about their model(s) and choices as a therapist, whichever orientation they may choose.
REQUIREMENTS
The requirements for accreditation in terms of therapy, training and supervision are as follows:
Psychotherapy
That applicants demonstrate a commitment to their own long-term psychotherapy process and have completed 200 hours of individual therapy over at least three years. The definition of therapy for this requirement is individual psychotherapy and only includes massage which occurs as part of an ongoing psychotherapy contract.
The reason for this requirement is that members are accredited to work in one-to-one psychotherapy and therefore applicants need to have experienced their own long-term therapy process, both as a "training therapy" and as a process of personal growth.
Biodynamic massage which does not occur as part of an ongoing psychotherapy process will not count toward the psychotherapy hours.
Training
That applicants demonstrate adequate training in somatic psychotherapy and have completed a professional training course of approximately 540 hours, or other comparable training.
Supervision
That applicants demonstrate adequate supervision of their work with clients, and have completed at least 80 hours of post-training individual supervision. (Supervision which took place in a group setting will be counted on a pro-rata basis, eg: 150 hours of group supervision with three supervisees will be counted as 50 individual hours.)
Note: People are eligible to apply for accreditation with less than the required number of supervision or therapy hours where they expect they will complete the necessary hours during the accreditation processing time.
The Panel expects applicants to be able to demonstrate that they have had experience engaging a number of clients in an ongoing psychotherapy process.
PROCEDURE
Written applications are received on 1 April, 1 July and 1 October each year. Candidates should make four [4] copies of their application and send them, together with a non-refundable application fee of $150.00 [made payable to AASP], to the address below.
It should be noted that the application fee is set at a rate to cover the essential cost of telephone conference calls, all administration associated with processing applications, any fares incurred by the assessment panel members, stamps, stationery and the like.
Candidates who meet the application requirements will be offered an interview. This may require the interviewee to travel interstate. Applicants must be prepared to self fund their travel from Sydney to Melbourne or vice versa and to arrange any necessary accommodation for themselves.
The interview will be conducted by two members of a three member Accreditation Panel. The interview will be taped for review purposes.
The panel will make a recommendation to the Executive Committee about whether the applicant meets the requirements for accreditation as a clinical member of AASP. The Executive Committee will then communicate to the applicant the result of the process.
If the applicant is unsuccessful, members of the Accreditation Panel will be available to provide feedback and guidance on how to go about meeting the AASP requirements.
To assist in your application, please read:
Please do not hesitate to call the Coordinator of the Membership Committee (below) if you have any questions regarding your application.
Mailing address for applications:
Jen Fox
Coordinator, AASP Membership Committee
11/115 Alt Street Ashfield NSW 2131
Further Information Regarding The Application Process: (02) 97993387
eMail: jjfox@aapt.net.au