Accreditation Standards
In this section you will find:
  • LEVEL A - IPT INTEREST
    LEVEL A - BASIC TRAINING AS AN IPT THERAPIST
    LEVEL B - NEWLY QUALIFIED IPT THERAPISTS
    LEVEL C - CPD FOR IPT THERAPISTS
    LEVEL D - ELIGIBILITY FOR IPT SUPERVISOR / TRAINER ACCREDITATION
  • LAPSES OR BREAKS IN TRAINING
PLEASE NOTE: IPT UK have introduced a new route for KSA applicants, who can practice IPT by applying for Organisation Membership. You must successfully complete a training course run by an IPT UK trainer leading to Organisation Membership. This is not accreditation as a Core Profession is required, however, you will be eligible to practice IPT while employed.
​Please see here for more details.
Please note:
- Once achieved, accreditation is for subscribed members only. 
- To maintain your accreditation, members must keep up to date with the IPT UK re-accreditation requirements and renew your membership accordingly. Individuals must maintain their register as a core professional and/or have a membership with a different governing body such as the BACP. 
​- All members (Trainee and accredited) must be registered with a professional body such as HCPC, BABCP, BACP, etc.

Level A - IPT Interest

  • Available for health care professionals who are interested in IPT. This will provide an overview in the form of an introductory training course lasting two days or more.
  • Interest in IPT may be expressed by wider groups rather than clinical staff working in mental health.

Level A - Basic Training as an accredited IPT Therapist

  • IPT Practitioner trainees must have an existing qualification in a mental health profession, good knowledge of mood disorders and previous experience of conducting psychological therapy. Applicants who do not have a core profession can train to be an Organisation Member to practice IPT as an employed therapist. Please see Membership Options for more details.
  • IPT Practitioner trainees must read the IPT manual and attend an IPT UK/ISIPT recognised practitioner training course.
  • Supervision is offered at the discretion of the supervisor.
  • Four cases must be completed under supervision with a Level D qualified IPT supervisor, and casework must reflect at least two different focus areas. POST September 2024 - The TC have developed paperwork that could, in some instances, allow for the option that IPT UK Practitioner training is completed in 3 cases instead of 4.  This decision would be reached following a review process between the trainee and their supervisor.   
  • Initial casework should be in the treatment of major depression and subsequent casework should be for disorders with an established evidence base (e.g. depression in adults or adolescents or eating disorders).
  • All sessions must be recorded (on video or audio), then a minimum of three tapes from each case – selected to reflect the phases of treatment – submitted for formal review with reference to IPT competencies. 
  • Supervision is conducted weekly and a minimum of 12 out of 16 sessions must be attended per case. Supervision can be conducted individually or in a group format. Each trainee must receive at least four hours supervision for each case.
  • A reflective written statement must be produced on completion of each case.
  • An accreditation certificate will be provided when the above criteria are met and accreditation status updated on the IPT UK register by the accrediting supervisor.

    Please click here to view our Pathways to IPT Training document

​Level B - Newly qualified IPT Therapists / ​Level C - CPD for IPT Therapists

  • IPT Therapists should carry an IPT caseload - at least two IPT cases per year.
  • IPT Therapists should receive ongoing supervision, at least monthly. This may be individual, peer group or via the telephone.
  • IPT Therapists should attend at least one IPT CPD event per year – for example:  National Meetings, an IPT UK educational meeting or IPT UK regional meeting.

​Level D - Eligibility for IPT Supervisor/Trainer Accreditation

  • Achieved level A, B and maintain level C.
  • Completed a minimum of six supervised IPT cases, with casework covering the full range of focal areas. This supervision may be conducted individually or in group, and includes the casework completed at level B
  • Trainee IPT supervisors must demonstrate competency in co-conducting at least one case of IPT supervision with a Level D IPT supervisor – for example, by co-facilitating an IPT supervision group or discussion of individual supervision and double rating of supervised IPT recordings.
  • An accreditation certificate will be provided when the above criteria are met and accreditation status updated on the IPT UK register by the accrediting supervisor.
  • IPT supervisors are be required to be a member of the IPT UK network of supervisors and attend national/regional meetings at least twice per year.
  • Supervisors are required to attend an introductory IPT supervisor’s workshop before providing supervision independently.
  • Supervisors must maintain their IPT clinical and supervisory skills by supervising at least two trainings per year (either trainees or accredited IPT Practitioners) and keeping Level C activity for clinical work.

N.B. The Anna Freud Centre recommends that their supervisors attend supervisor refresher training once per year to maintain their role with the AFC.

Lapses or Breaks in Training

Therapists have to start Level B within one year of attending the Level A course. If they don’t, they must attend a refresher before starting casework.
If they do not start casework within two years, they must attend the full course again.
They have three years to complete unless a written request for an extension has been approved by the training committee. This should be sent to [email protected].