EuroPsy: A membership benefit still relevant in a post Brexit world

I was warmed by the words of Christoph Steineback and Sabine Steyaert's letter to the BPS expressing continued need to collaborate with all members of the European Federation of Psychological Associations [see also the response]. The BPS is a member of EFPA and has been a pioneering part of the development of the European Certificate in Psychology (EuroPsy) since its inception in 2005. There are currently 39 participating countries and not limited to the EU or EEA. Whatever we may think about Brexit, it has no impact on the BPS continuing to participate in EFPA and to support EuroPsy.  

EuroPsy is aimed at Practitioner Psychologists and sets out standards of training, supervision and ongoing CPD. It makes the movement of psychologists between countries easier by sharing those standards across Europe. EuroPsy aims to promote public access to psychological services across participating countries by having a register of suitably qualified psychologists (https://www.europsy.eu/search-psychologist). It ensures that standards are maintained and clients are protected through CPD, supervision requirements and a process of renewal of the qualification. In the UK this maps onto the requirements for registration with the HCPC as a practitioner psychologist.

In England, the BPS administers EuroPsy through a National Awarding Committee (NAC) and checks qualifications and standards of training. Currently there are almost 400 EuroPsy holders in the UK. For psychologists already registered with the HCPC the process is very straightforward. The EuroPsy is available for all psychologists who are practitioners and who meet the minimum standards. To apply for the EuroPsy certification you must meet ONE of these two criteria:

• You must be eligible for Chartered Membership of the society on the basis of a full course of BPS accredited postgraduate training, which in turn will make you eligible for practitioner registration with the HCPC.

or

• You must be registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the HCPC and hold at least a Masters-equivalent degree in psychology. Typically, those applying on this route will have gained HCPC registration through either grand-parenting or through internationally gained qualifications and experience.

BPS members can apply for registration free of charge if they meet the criteria. Non-members pay a fee of £415. For more information and an application form follow this link https://www.bps.org.uk/join-us/membership/enhance-your-membership

I have personally been registered with EuroPsy since 2009 and have found it useful when engaging with casework, training and discussions with colleagues in other countries. I now act as the Chairperson of the NAC supported by willing volunteers representing the different fields of applied psychology. I am committed to continuing to promote close working between the BPS and our European colleagues and responding positively to Christoph and Sabine's invitation. I look forward to continued engagement and sharing of expertise with other psychologists from across the whole of Europe and across sub-disciplines. I am hopeful that more Society members will see the potential benefits of the European Certificate in Psychology and make an application for registration and use the designation EuroPsy.

Dr Garry Squires, CPsychol, FBPsS, EuroPsy

Chair of the EuroPsy National Awarding Committee