Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP)

The ACP is an accredited register of the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) and is responsible for regulating the training and practice standards of child and adolescent psychotherapy across the public and private sectors. It was established in 1949 and has nearly 1000 members working in the UK and abroad.

We protect the public…

Our primary role as a professional body under the PSA is to ensure these standards continue to be met and to take appropriate action if they are not.

… and promote the profession

We are also concerned to ensure everyone who requires the highly skilled care provided by Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists can access this when and where needed.

In this way the ACP works to ensure that the highest quality and safest services are provided to the infants, children, young people and families who need it most.

Entry Standards

The ACP sets minimum standards for entry to the training to ensure candidates have the necessary qualifications, experience and capacities to undertake the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy trainings accredited by the ACP.

For many applicants the most straightforward way to demonstrate meeting the requirements will be by qualifying from one of the recognised pre-clinical courses. However, the standards may be met and demonstrated in different ways and they have been written to allow for flexibility and for individuals to take a more modular or portfolio route towards achieving the necessary requirements.

View Pre-Clinical Courses

Professional Registration

The standards of training and practice of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists are regulated by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). Qualified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists must be a registered member of the ACP and appear on the ACP Register which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Trainees must be Trainee Members of the ACP. Full registration is awarded on completion of an accredited training, and members must renew their registration on an annual basis as laid out in the Rules of the ACP and the CPD Policy.