The UKCP Route

About This Route

UKATA calls this the Case Study route. It leads to a Master's-level (Level 7) qualification in Adult Psychotherapy, awarded through a UKATA Registered Training Establishment. Its requirements match UKCP's requirements for registration as an adult psychotherapist. With the qualification, you apply to UKATA, which puts you forward for the UKCP register.

Our application to become a UKATA Registered Training Establishment (RTE) is in progress. Get in touch for the latest on where it stands.

Who It Suits

Trainees who want a streamlined examination process, with an assessment held within their training establishment rather than through the international CTA exams.

What's Involved

Before the qualification is awarded, you'll build a portfolio of evidence with your primary supervisor showing:

• 900 hours in total of core training, supervision, a mental health familiarisation placement, and self- and peer-directed learning
• at least 600 hours of core training, normally over at least four years part time
• at least 450 hours of supervised work with adult clients
• supervision of at least one hour for every six client hours. Once you've reached 450 client hours, this can move to two hours a month.
• 160 hours of personal therapy: at least 40 hours a year over four years, with a UKCP-registered psychotherapist
• a mental health familiarisation placement, or an equivalent

The Assessments

There are two assessments, and the oral usually follows the written:

• Written assessment: a piece on your identity as a psychotherapist, and a client case study.
• Oral assessment: a recording of your adult psychotherapy work, followed by questions.

Both are assessed against core competencies based on those in the EATA Handbook. That means the work you produce stays useful if you later decide to go on to the CTA.

After You Qualify

You send UKATA a copy of your certificate, a short application form and an administration fee. UKATA checks your membership and carries out an ethics check, then puts you forward to UKCP. Your UKCP registration stays valid as long as you remain a UKATA member.

Keeping Your Options Open

If you think you may want the CTA later, talk to us early, so your therapy and supervision arrangements leave that door open.

This summary is based on UKATA's guidance on the UKCP Case Study route, which is updated from time to time. Always check the current information on UKATA's website.