UPCA is an organisational member (OM) and accrediting body of University Training Colleges (UTC). UTC is one of 10 UKCP Colleges, all UKCP members have to belong to a college. The purpose of UPCA is to provide a route to UKCP membership, an ethical framework for trainee therapist’s work and to offer a community of peers.
You may have joint membership of UPCA and UKCP if you wish. You can join UKCP as a student, or as a trainee or wait until you have qualified to apply to UKCP, in any case you will need to have maintained your UPCA membership to be admitted to UKCP. The UKCP application process is separate from the UPCA process and you can join online via the UKCP website. There is no fee for students joining UKCP.
Your membership of UPCA should begin when you start training. The membership year always runs from the 1st of September to 31st August the following year. Your University will assist in the application process and liaise with UPCA. Reminders to renew your membership will be sent out annually by UPCA. If you fail to renew, your membership may be lapsed, this will also impact on UKCP membership.
UPCA Clinical Members can also apply for membership of UKCP as a Trainee, whilst you complete all the elements of your training. UKCP will ask UPCA to verify your application. The application process is separate from the UPCA process and you can join online via the UKCP website at: www.psychotherapy.org.uk/join-us
Accredited Clinical Members of UPCA who have maintained their membership can apply for Full Clinical Membership/Registration with UKCP. UKCP will ask UPCA to verify your application. The application process is separate from the UPCA process and you can join online via the UKCP website at: www.psychotherapy.org.uk/join-us
Non-Accredited Clinical membership (MUPCA) is open to graduates from an accredited UPCA counselling/psychotherapy programme/course who have not yet met the full requirements of the programme/course, or fulfilled the necessary criteria for registration.
This category is available to (MUPCA) for a maximum period of five years to enable completion of training, and preparation to fulfil criteria for registration as a psychotherapeutic counsellor or psychotherapist. An (MUPCA) can also apply for membership with UKCP as a Trainee. UKCP will contact UPCA to verify your application. The application is separate to the UPCA membership process and you must join online via the UKCP website at: www.psychotherapy.org.uk/join-us
Accredited Clinical Members of UPCA who have maintained their membership can apply for full clinical membership with UKCP. UKCP will ask UPCA to verify your application. The application process is separate from the UPCA process and you can join online via the UKCP website at: www.psychotherapy.org.uk/join-us
UPCA Accredited Clinical Membership is the entry point to UKCP Register, UPCA membership must be maintained to retain UKCP registration.
Direct Membership of UKCP
You cannot have direct membership of UKCP through UPCA; it is through UTC as the organisational member (OM). Members who do not want association with an OM can apply to UKCP for direct membership. Direct membership of UKCP is available after one year of membership through UTC.
UPCA has no part in the processing of applications or renewals for direct members of UKCP, you should contact UTC, who will liaise with UKCP.
If UKCP refers a direct member to UPCA FOR 5-yearly re-accreditation the member will be referred to UTC as their college.