The Development of Psychotherapy as a Specialism for Psychologists: An EFPA Project

The development of psychotherapy as an area of expertise for psychologists has occupied the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA) for many years. Differences in regulations and practice within Europe, as well as the absence of the discipline as an area of practice in some countries, have complicated the establishment of European standards. This paper describes the efforts of the EFPA Task Force, later Standing Committee, on Psychotherapy to establish a standard. The problems faced included differing traditions and the existence of other nonpsychologists within the field of practice. In addition, debates over the development of a basic standard for European psychology delayed implementation of the specialist standards. The eventual resolution included three routes to recognition: a national register accepted by EFPA; a national training program similarly recognized; or a process by which individual psychologists presented their credentials to the national committee for acceptance. In each case the national committees had to seek endorsement from the EFPA European Awarding Committee to approve the nationally adopted process as meeting the EFPA standards. The establishment of these EFPA standards has enabled national associations to use the standards as a basis for discussion with their own regulatory authorities as well as in discussion with other bodies operating in this area of practice.