Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy

National Alliance of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (NACP)
Effective: January 2025

1. Purpose

The NACP requires all practising members to engage in regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain and enhance their skills, ensure ethical and effective practice, and keep pace with developments in the counselling and psychotherapy professions.

CPD is a lifelong, reflective process that strengthens therapeutic competence, safeguards clients, and promotes professional confidence and accountability.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all NACP members across the following categories:

  • Certified Members
  • Accredited Members
  • Associated Professional Members providing therapeutic or supervisory services

Student members are encouraged, but not required, to engage in CPD during training.

3. Annual CPD Requirements

All practising members must complete a minimum of 30 hours of CPD per calendar year.

  • CPD must be relevant to counselling, psychotherapy, supervision, ethics, diversity, or personal development
  • At least 20 hours should be structured (e.g. courses, workshops, training, conferences)
  • The remaining hours can be self-directed (e.g. reading, research, peer learning, podcasts)
  • CPD must be logged and evidenced, with clear reflection on its relevance and impact

4. What Counts as CPD?

✅ Structured CPD may include:

  • Accredited training courses or qualifications
  • Workshops and seminars (in-person or online)
  • Supervision training or specialist clinical updates
  • Professional conferences and webinars
  • Online CPD modules with certificates of completion

✅ Self-Directed CPD may include:

  • Reading professional journals or books
  • Writing articles or presenting at events
  • Reflective journaling on clinical practice
  • Peer discussion groups with a clear developmental focus
  • Research into therapeutic topics or case law

❌ Not accepted as CPD:

  • Routine supervision
  • Time spent with clients
  • General workplace activities not linked to development
  • Unrelated hobbies or activities

5. Reflective Practice

All CPD activities should be recorded with accompanying reflective notes that answer:

  • What did I learn or develop?
  • How will this impact my work with clients or supervisees?
  • What might I do differently as a result?

Templates for CPD logs and reflective summaries are provided in the NACP Member Toolkit.

6. Documentation and Audit

  • Members must keep a CPD log and evidence for a minimum of 3 years
  • The NACP may audit CPD records at random, or in response to complaints or renewal assessments
  • Members must be prepared to submit CPD logs upon request, including certificates or written reflections

7. Non-Compliance

Failure to complete or document the required CPD may result in:

  • A request for remedial action (e.g. catch-up CPD)
  • Suspension or delay in membership renewal
  • Referral to the NACP Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure in serious or repeated cases

8. Tailoring CPD to Your Practice

The NACP recognises that each member’s developmental needs are unique. CPD should:

  • Be aligned with your client group, modality, or specialism
  • Include regular engagement with ethics, inclusion, and cultural awareness
  • Reflect any areas of challenge, change, or transition in your career
  • Support both clinical and personal resilience

We encourage members to review their CPD goals in supervision or with peers annually.

9. Support from the NACP

The NACP provides:

  • Access to CPD resources and guidance in the Member Area
  • Discounted or exclusive CPD opportunities
  • CPD events and supervision sessions that contribute to annual requirements
  • Templates for logging and reflecting on CPD activities

10. Review

This policy is reviewed annually or in response to changes in professional standards or legal requirements.

📩 Contact

For support with CPD planning or to submit logs if requested:
📧 info@nacp.co.uk
🔗 www.nacp.co.uk