If you have a question around membership please take a look at our most frequently asked questions. If the question you need answering isn’t there please send an email with your query to administration@upca.org.uk
How much does membership cost?
- Student Membership = £23 per year
- Trainee Membership = £50 per year
- Clinical Membership = £85 per year
- Non Clinical Associate Membership =£23 per year
Visit our Membership Fees webpage for more information.
How do I pay for my membership?
Membership fees must be paid online by bank transfer (BACs) or credit/debit card.
Can I take a break from my UPCA Membership?
If you are going to take a Break in Practice you must inform UPCA and complete a Break in Practice form.
What are the benefits of being a member of UPCA?
UPCA is the Accrediting Organisation for the Universities Training College (UTC) and works in partnership with UKCP to:
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Accredit university-based psychotherapy and counselling programmes within UTC
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Ensure those programmes meet UKCP and UTC standards
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Support the academic, ethical, and professional framework of the College
By becoming a member of UPCA, you benefit from being part of a robust professional and academic community that supports high standards in psychotherapy and counselling practice.
Key benefits of UPCA membership include:
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Find a Therapist listing for both accredited and non-accredited clinical members, increasing professional visibility
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Personalised, individual responses to membership and professional queries
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Attendance at the UPCA AGM, with opportunities to hear about UPCA’s work and contribute to discussions with fellow members
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Ethical accountability, supporting safe and professional practice through an established ethical framework
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Access to the UPCA Welfare Fund, providing financial support to help cover expenses during training (subject to eligibility)
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Discounted professional indemnity insurance, negotiated with a leading insurance provider to help manage the cost of practice
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Practical member resources, including the CPD Record Resource to support accurate tracking of Continuing Professional Development
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Five-yearly re-accreditation, helping members maintain and enhance professional standards and demonstrate ongoing commitment to excellence and public trust
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Peer Support Scheme, designed to strengthen professional connection and community support among members
UPCA membership supports your professional development, accountability, and connection to recognised UK counselling and psychotherapy standards.
What is the relationship between UPCA & UKCP?
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is made up of a number of organisational members, which are grouped into Colleges according to areas of professional and academic interest.
UPCA is the Accrediting Organisation for the Universities Training College (UTC), one of the UKCP Colleges. In this role, UPCA works within the UKCP structure to support high academic, professional, and ethical standards in psychotherapy and counselling training.
Within the UKCP framework:
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Colleges are responsible for assessing and admitting members for the duration of their training
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UPCA oversees accreditation and membership for those training within the UTC
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Training programmes accredited by UPCA are aligned with UKCP professional and training standards
Once all required elements of training have been successfully completed, members may apply to become Accredited Members of UPCA. At this stage, eligible members may also apply separately for UKCP Membership and Registration.
After joining the UKCP Register, practitioners are required to remain in membership of UPCA, as all UKCP registrants must belong to a UKCP College or organisational member throughout their registration.
For more details about how UKCP Colleges are structured and function, visit UKCP Colleges overview.
Who can apply for Trainee Membership of UPCA?
This membership category is open to current student members of UPCA who have been approved to begin clinical practice by their accredited UPCA training programme/course. Trainee members have not yet graduated or met the full requirements of their training programme and are working towards fulfilling the criteria for registration.
Who can apply for Clinical Membership?
There are 2 categories of clinical members;
Accredited Clinical Members are graduates who have fully completed all the taught and practice elements of an UPCA approved university training programme in either psychotherapy which is set at a minimum of Masters or Doctoral level, or psychotherapeutic counselling which is set at a minimum of undergraduate level.
Non-Accredited Clinical Members have graduated the taught part of their training programme but have not yet completed all the practice elements of their training. Non-Accredited Clinical Members can normally remain in this category of membership for up to 5 years whilst they accumulate the required supervised client hours.
Do I have to maintain CPD after I am trained?
Yes. UPCA requires all clinical members to maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure clinical practice remains current and to uphold professional accountability for the protection of the public.
Each year, on their annual renewal form, members are required to record a minimum of 50 hours of CPD. This process helps demonstrate that professional development is being actively maintained and that clinical skills are up-to-date.
How do I record my CPD?
Clinical members are required to submit evidence that they have maintained a minimum of 50 hours of CPD per annum. This information is also required for a 5-yearly re-accreditation audit. Please download our CPD Resource to help you keep track of your CPD.
Who has to complete the 5-yearly re-accreditation?
Accredited clinical members have to undertake an re-accreditation audit every 5-years, and are required to submit detailed evidence of CPD and supervision. Your supervisor(s) will also be asked to provide a report. A minimum of 20% of clinical members are selected every year for this audit.
What help is available for members wishing to join or renew who experience neurodiversity issues?
While there’s no single agreed definition of what neurodiversity is, it does help as an umbrella term to identify specific needs of therapists and clients. UPCA wants to encourage its members and so if there are specific issues we can support you with related to membership, audit or accreditation please contact Helen Fisher the administrator. With a more detailed knowledge of your specific needs, we could then tailor-make a more enabling process.
Am I able to train to practice as an online therapist only?
UPCA and UKCP do not approve online only training. UPCA policy is that courses are taught in-person, although some training institutions may deliver up to a maximum of 50% training online .
Likewise, client practice in training is also usually in-person although some institutions again may allow a percentage of online practice.
What is the UKCP Register and why is it important?
The UKCP Register is the official list of registered psychotherapists and counsellors recognised by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Being on the Register demonstrates that you have completed accredited training, adhere to professional and ethical standards, and maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Registration is important for professional recognition, public trust, and eligibility for practice in many settings. To join the Register, you must first be a member of a UKCP College or organisational member, such as UPCA. Learn more on our UKCP Membership Information page
What happens if my UPCA membership lapses?
If your UPCA membership lapses, your UKCP registration will also be affected, as all UKCP registrants must remain a member of a College or organisational member. Lapsed membership means you may temporarily lose access to member benefits, directories, and eligibility for accreditation or renewal processes.
To maintain professional standing and registration, it is essential to renew your UPCA membership annually and keep your CPD up-to-date.
If you have let your membership lapse and need to re-join and backdate your membership please contact us with details of when you were last a member.
How do I update my Find a Therapist profile?
All UPCA clinical members listed on the Find a Therapist directory can update their profile via their member account. Keeping your profile current helps clients find you and ensures your contact information, qualifications, and specialisms are accurate.
To update your profile login and click on the ‘Dashboard’ button. Below you will see the heading ‘Profile’ which will enable you to make any necessary updates required. Please ensure to click on the ‘Update Profile’ button when finished.