Recertification and audit of psychotherapists
Recertification process
A Recertification consultation was sent to practitioners and stakeholders on 17 May
2013. The consultation document incorporated a number of suggestions received from
the initial consultation, and modifications to the original document.
After considering the responses, the Board agreed to go ahead with implementation of
the recertification process in readiness for the 2014-2015 practising year.
Recertification will consist of 2 sections:
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Self-reflection
Supervisor attestation
Practitioner self-reflection
All practitioners will be expected to engage in self-reflection of their current level of
competency. Self-reflection should be aimed at identifying areas of growth,
development, and improvement. Psychotherapists’ core competencies (as listed on the
Board’s website) should be used as a basis for this self-reflection.
Practitioners are required to complete the template provided, relating to the core clinical
competencies, cultural competency, and ethical and legal practice, as noted on the lefthand column of the template.
The template should be completed in such a way as to indicate that the core clinical
competencies, cultural competencies, and ethical and legal practice issues have been
reviewed and considered. However, it is expected that particular emphasis will be given
to those areas seen as most focal to the practitioner’s continuing professional
development needs. The reasons for the choice of focal issues should be indicated.
Practitioners should record these areas of development, their intended developmental
plan, and review their progress throughout the year. The Board regards the selfreflection document as a living document which may be changed in response to new
understandings.
Continuing professional development activities, such as attendance at a course of study,
attendance and presentations at conferences, attendance at workshops, reading material
or other media, additional supervision, peer group discussion, clinical presentations to
peers or colleagues, or personal psychotherapy, may be incorporated into the selfreflection as appropriate. In such cases there should be adequate specificity; for
example authors, titles, dates, etc.
Some practitioners may feel that the template does not allow for an adequate
representation of their style of professional development. They are invited to supplement
the completed template with additional notes or other illustrative means relevant to their
self-reflection. For example, describing the process they have undertaken to gain insight,
or describing what helped them become aware of the areas of continuing professional
development that needed attending to, or how their insight is being integrated into
practice. Please note that completion of the Board’s template is mandatory, but any
additional material is optional.
Supervisor attestation
The Board understands clinical supervision to be a central component of
psychotherapists’ professional development. It is acknowledged that practitioners may
choose to use peers or additional supervisors to assist in their self-reflection.
The practitioner’s primary clinical supervisor is asked to sign an attestation which
confirms that the practitioner’s professional development has been discussed in
supervision, and that they believe, to the best of their knowledge, that the practitioner
understands and adheres to the Board’s Clinical Competencies, Cultural Competencies,
and Ethical Standards.
Timeframe for implementation
Practitioners will not be required to complete the recertification forms for the upcoming
2013-2014 practising year. The process is that during the 2013-2014 practising year
the practitioner will:
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complete the self-reflection form (this may be done throughout the year)
discuss their professional development in supervision and seek supervisor
attestation
include the supervisor attestation form with the APC renewal application for the
2014-2015 practising year
keep the self-reflection form and supporting evidence if relevant, in case an audit is
requested.
Audit process
While recertification is the primary means by which the Board promotes the ongoing
competence of practitioners, an audit is seen as the most effective way the Board can
ensure that practitioners are actively involved in meaningful self-reflection on their
clinical practice, and identifying issues for further professional development.
Selection of practitioners for audit will be random and likely to be required of all
practitioners at least once in every 5 years.
Please note that recertification will not include auditing of client files.