WPF Post-Qualification Certificate in Supervision

In 1985 WPF Therapy became one of the first organisations to offer a specific training in supervision. Since then, WPF developed a highly regarded course in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic supervision that links theory with clinical practice. 

This post-qualification certificate is for experienced psychodynamic counsellors and psychotherapists who want to train as supervisors of one-to-one therapy. It is also suitable for integrative counsellors and psychotherapists who work psychodynamically. 

Course content

The course involves weekly sessions made up of a seminar and a supervision of supervision group. The content includes, among other topics (in line with BACP guidelines):

The supervisor in context 

Building the supervisory relationship

Assessment in supervision

Basic concepts in supervision – contracts, boundaries and money

Unconscious processes and the supervisory triangle 

Transference, countertransference and the reflection process

Group dynamics in supervision

Defences and resistances in supervision 

Working with difference and diversity in supervision

The supervisory frame

The internal supervisor

Supervision of supervision

The supervision of supervision group is a central part of the course. You will need to supervise and present at least two individual supervisees, or one group, for a minimum of 20 hours of supervisory practice. The supervision of supervision is from a psychodynamic perspective. The work you supervise and present must be with psychotherapists or counsellors treating adult patients on a one-to-one basis. They must also be working within a psychodynamic, integrative or humanistic frame. 

We recommend that at least one of your supervisees is seeing an open-ended patient. The supervision should ideally take place in person at least once every two weeks, although weekly is best if possible. Please note you should not be supervising friends, colleagues or anyone that could compromise your professional boundaries.   

WPF Therapy does not hold clinical responsibility for any supervision work that is presented.

Award

Successful completion of the certificate requires:

A minimum attendance rate of 80% across 20 seminars and 20 supervision groups (60 hours of contact time overall)   

Self-assessment, informal peer assessment and assessment by the supervisor of supervision

A 3,000-word essay demonstrating an understanding of the theory and practice of supervision from a psychodynamic perspective 

At least 20 hours of logged counselling or psychotherapy supervision practice

A reflective journal (this is recommended but not assessed)

Course schedule

The Post-Qualification Certificate in Supervision is a part-time course taught over six months. It consists of 20 weekly sessions held online on Thursday mornings between 9:30am – 12:40pm. The course is divided into two 10-week terms.

Entry requirements

When you apply for the Post-Qualification Certificate in Supervision, you will need to:

Be an experienced psychodynamic counsellor with a BACP-accredited Diploma in Counselling, or have a Diploma in Counselling and be eligible for BACP accreditation and qualified in individual work 

Be a psychotherapist eligible for registration by UKCP (CPJA section) or BPC-qualified in individual work 

Be an integrative practitioner or counselling psychologist qualified in individual work, with a strong psychodynamic strand and appropriate professional registrations (UKCP, BACP) 

Have qualified three or more years ago 

Have at least 500 hours of clinical practice (this can include hours completed in training)

Have had a minimum of two years of psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy with a psychotherapist who is registered with BPC or UKCP (CPJA section) 

Be providing, or in a position to provide, supervision at a level appropriate to your qualifications for more than one counsellor or psychotherapist (either individually or in a group) 

Be fluent in written and spoken English*

*We accept any of the following English qualifications:

GCSE grade C

Cambridge Proficiency Certificate grade C

Cambridge Advanced Certificate grade C (with no less than ‘weak’ in any band)

Level 2 Functional Skills (English) with a pass grade (not for primary education)

Key Skills Level 2 in Communication with a pass grade (not for primary education)

British Council IELTS at 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band 

Applying for the course

Currently not taking new applications

You will need to submit: 

A completed application form

A CV that includes details of your training, current professional registrations and personal experience of therapy 

A statement outlining the experience you have of providing supervision to counsellors or psychotherapists 

A statement explaining why you want to do the course

Details of your proposed placement/supervision practice for the course

A reference from a supervisor