Membership Categories and Criteria for Memberships
Explore your pathway into professional psychotherapy and counselling with the Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association (UPCA).
We support students, trainees, clinical and associate members at every stage of their development. UPCA membership not only connects you with a professional community and ethical standards but also provides a clear route toward UKCP registration and career progression.
Apply for your membership online and set up your UPCA member account.
No more downloadable forms — everything is submitted securely through our portal.
Membership Application Forms
TRAINEE MEMBERSHIP
Open to current student members of UPCA who have been approved to begin clinical practice by their training programme.
£50
NON-ACCREDITED CLINICAL MEMBERSHIP
Open to student or trainee members of UPCA who have graduated from an accredited UPCA training progremme, who have not yet met the full requirements.
£85
ACCREDITED CLINICAL MEMBERSHIP
Open to graduated from a UPCA accredited training programme who have completed all requirements of the course.
£85
NON-CLINICAL ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Open to any non-practising member of a unversity with an interest in psychotherapy or counselling or a retired UPCA member.
£23
About Student Membership
This category of membership is open to all current non-practising students of a university-linked, UPCA accredited programme in psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic counselling. It is a requirement of UPCA programme approval, that students studying on UPCA accredited programmes, maintain UPCA student membership throughout their training by renewing annually and thereby agree to abide by the UKCP Code of Ethics and Professional Practice (2019). Student members of UPCA may additionally join UKCP as Student members. Members in this category should use the designation; Student-MUPCA.
About Trainee Membership
This membership category is open to current student members of UPCA who have been approved to begin clinical practice by their accredited UPCA psychotherapeutic counselling or psychotherapy training programme. Trainee members have not yet graduated or met the full requirements of their training programme and are working towards fulfilling the criteria for registration.
This category is available to members for the duration of their training programme to enable completion of the supervised practice element of training, and in preparation to fulfil the necessary criteria for registration as a psychotherapeutic counsellor or a psychotherapist. Members in this category are entitled to apply to UKCP for entry onto the UKCP Trainee directory. Members in this category are entitled to use the designation; Trainee-MUPCA.
About Non-Accredited Clinical Membership
Student or Trainee members of UPCA who have graduated from an accredited UPCA psychotherapeutic counselling or psychotherapy training programme, who have not yet met the full requirements of the programme and training, or fulfilled the necessary criteria for UKCP registration, and who have maintained up to date UPCA membership are required to apply for Non-accredited Clinical membership.
This is available for a maximum period of five years to enable completion of training, and preparation to fulfil necessary criteria for registration as a psychotherapeutic counsellor or a psychotherapist. Members in this category are entitled to use the designation; MUPCA, together with the relevant professional title as granted by the programme from which they have graduated.
About Accredited Clinical Membership
This membership category is open to graduates from a UPCA accredited, psychotherapeutic counselling or psychotherapy training programme/course.
Graduates will have completed all requirements of the programme/course, all aspects of training and must have fulfilled the necessary criteria for registration as either a psychotherapeutic counsellor or a psychotherapist.
Consequently, these members are entitled to apply to UKCP for entry onto the relevant sections of the UKCP register. Members in this category are entitled to use the designation; MUPCA (Accred) together with the relevant professional title as granted by the programme/course from which they have graduated.
If your UPCA membership lapses, UKCP registration will also be lapsed. It is a condition of membership that all clinical members be audited once every five years, to demonstrate they that have met the UKCP requirement for 250 hours of CPD. The audit also serves the purpose of meeting the requirements of the UKCP 5-yearly re-accreditation.
About Non-clinical Associate Membership
This membership category is open to any member of a university with an interest in psychotherapy or counselling, to any psychotherapist or counsellor with a commitment to the academic development of the subject. To a retired UPCA member who is no longer in clinical practice.
Annual Renewal of Membership Guidelines
The UPCA membership year runs from 1 September to 31 August. Renewal notices are sent by email each July with details on how to renew online.
Clinical members are also required to record and maintain their CPD each year as part of professional standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which membership category is right for me?
Most members will join as Students when they begin a UPCA approved programme. If you are unsure please contact the membership team by emailing administration@upca.org.uk
Can I change category later?
Yes — you can upgrade as you progress through training and meet new criteria.
Is UKCP registration included in UPCA membership?
No — UKCP registration is a separate process, but UPCA membership is a requirement for entry onto the UKCP register.