ACCREDITATION
Would you like to become a Pink Therapy-accredited GSRD Therapist?
If you’re a qualified therapist who works with diverse client groups from an affirmative perspective, being recognised and supported by Pink Therapy, the UK’s largest therapy organisation working with Gender, Sex & Relationship Diversities (GSRD), is an essential aspect of your professional profile.
As pioneers of specialist therapy training in the UK to enable practitioners to deliver the highest quality service and support for GSRD clients, we’re keen to acknowledge you for your commitment to the diverse client groups you serve.
We want to recognise your enthusiasm for the specialist continuing professional development you undertake in the GSRD field so that we can keep shouting out our message of confidence that people from all areas of gender, sex and relationship diversity have access to the help that they need.
What are the benefits of becoming accredited with us?
As a Pink Therapy-accredited Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversities Therapist you’ll be able to assure your clients that:
- You’ve met our standards for reflective practice and supervision support;
- You’re equipped with specialist knowledge about the specific issues they face;
- You’re experienced in delivering GSRD therapy (GSRDT) with the truly welcoming, inclusive approach they’re seeking.
You’ll be able to use our accreditation logo on your website and publicity materials as a valued part of our growing national and international network of like-minded professionals working in GSRDT.
You’ll also benefit from regular updates from us sharing news of the latest research and developments in GSRD therapy, details of specialist CPD events and tips for improving your practice with diverse client groups.
General Requirements & Accreditation Categories
We want to support therapists who are developing their experience and growing their careers in GSRD therapy as well as those with a well-established practice.
There are two categories of accreditation available, Standard and Advanced. Initial accreditation is valid for three years, following which there is a straightforward re-accreditation procedure. You have the option to upgrade your Standard Accredited status to Advanced at any time, should you have the evidence to meet our criteria.
General requirements for all applicants:
- Professional counselling training to at least Level 4 (Standard accreditation) and Level 5 (Advanced accreditation)
- Membership of a professional body and adherence to a Code of Ethics and complaints procedure
- Access to specialist GSRD supervision is preferred but not required
For those in private practice:
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Statement of GDPR compliance and ICO registration
- Safeguarding/DBS/PVG if required
Please see the explanatory notes below.
Requirements Standard Accreditation (AGSRDT)
- 45 hours CPD during the past three years consisting of training, conferences, constructive participation or having made a significant contribution to the field
- INCLUDING: completion of ‘Defining GSRD Therapy’ module from the Pink Therapy training catalogue (click here)
- Reading and other media demonstrating a breadth of awareness of current GSRD themes
- 90 practice hours with a minimum of five clients, groups or supervisees during the past three years, or a 2000 word case study
- Personal statement of 1500-2000 words
- Supervisor’s endorsement
Requirements Advanced Accreditation (AAGSRDT)
- 75 hours CPD during the past three years consisting of training, conferences, constructive participation or having made a significant contribution to the field
- Reading and other media demonstrating a breadth of awareness of current GSRD themes
- 360 practice hours with a minimum of five clients, groups or supervisees during the past three years, or a 3000 word case study
- Personal statement of 1500-2000 words
- Supervisor’s endorsement
Reaccreditation Requirements (Standard or Advanced)
- CPD/contributions to the field, appropriate to the level of accreditation applied for
- Client hours appropriate to the level of accreditation applied for
- Reading and other media demonstrating a breadth of current GSRD themes
- Personal statement of 500-1500 words
- Supervisor’s endorsement
If you are transitioning from Standard Accreditation to Advanced Accreditation, you need to meet the requirements for AAGSRDT (see above) over the previous three years for training and client hours. Your personal statement can be briefer and should focus on how you have developed or extended your knowledge in working with a broader range of gender and sexual diversities since your previous accreditation. There is no need to redo your Philosophy etc unless that has changed significantly.
Explanatory Notes
The following definitions are a guide:
Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversities (GSRD)
We take a wide view of these categories, extending the traditional lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Gender diversities are anyone on the gender spectrum however they identify. For example, and not limited to, people who have intersex conditions now known by some as Differences of Sex Development (DSD), androgynes, genderqueer, cross-dressers and under sexual diversities we would also include people who are asexual or celibate, members of the BDSM/Kink communities, people in consensually non-monogamous relationships (swingers, polyamorous etc).
GSRDT
A qualified counsellor, psychotherapist or clinical or counselling psychologist who works with clients who identify as GSRD as a significant proportion of their client load, and a member of a recognised professional therapy organisation with a code of ethics and complaints procedure. The therapy qualification should be a minimum of two years diploma level (Level 4 for Standard Accreditation and Level 5 for Advanced Accreditation).
Training
Attendance on courses, workshops and seminars of specific relevance to GSRD work. Where possible attendance certificates or letters from course providers should be attached.
Constructive participation
Organisational or committee work or active research or training provision which contributes to the development of therapy or training services for GSRD clients.
Other activities
Activities not specified elsewhere which the practitioner believes are relevant to the field.
Significant contribution to the field
Some examples might be:
- Contributed to the literature for this emerging field through writing and/or research at an advanced level i.e. Masters’ level dissertation or a chapter in an edited volume or a book.
- Presented at conferences or developed training courses in GSRD issues.
- Set up or run a therapy organisation explicitly focusing on working with GSRDs.
You will need to specify your achievements in this area, but they should be substantive and show an advanced understanding of the field.
Reading and other media
Books, journals, articles or visual material which have informed practice in GSRD areas or contributed to an understanding of social context.
Client therapy hours
Face-to-face, telephone, or internet-based counselling, psychotherapy, or therapeutic group work, ideally with a range of GSRD clients with diverse identities. For the advanced level, we will be looking for a breadth of diversity and depth of thinking in your GSRD clients.
Supervision hours
Supervision of other GSRD therapeutic work, practitioners and students.
Case study
Written or mixed-media account of an area of practice or research of specific relevance to GSRD therapy work.
Personal Statement
If accrediting for the first time this should describe the development and philosophy of your practice with GSRD clients and discuss ethical issues and dilemmas and approaches to diversity. It should also indicate how you envisage your practice developing in the future. If reaccrediting this should include how you have developed and extended your knowledge or experience of different GSRDs.
Supervisor
This can be the supervisor of your generic practice if they are familiar with the range and standard of your work. Please ask them to complete a short form to support your application. We suggest sending them the link to the form together with a copy of your application: Fill out the Supervisors’ Endorsement form below.
Application Procedure and Costs
Applying for accreditation with us involves the completion of a straightforward online form with the facility to upload the required evidence so that your application is complete on submission. We also ask you to discuss your application with your Clinical Supervisor, give them a copy of your application and ask them to submit a report on your work using the form below.
Our Assessors aim to process your application within four weeks of receipt and if you are successful you’ll receive a letter of congratulations together with an electronic certificate and copies of our accreditation logos for use on your publicity materials.
You’ll be asked to pay for your application by PayPal on submission. You do not have to have a PayPal account in order to use this facility.
- Advanced accredited Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversities Therapist (AAGSRDT) £95.00
- Standard accredited Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversities Therapist (AGSRDT) £85.00
- Reaccreditation (Standard or Advanced) £85.00
- Resubmission of a returned application £50.00
