Psychotherapy: What To Do And How Is It Regulated

One of the most important events related to psychotherapy in Spain is the  National Congress of Psychotherapy organized by FEAP (Spanish Federation of Associations of Psychotherapists) in Madrid. It is celebrated in the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid; and for 4 days, there are numerous presentations by prestigious professionals and various thematic tables.

In one of the last editions, clinical cases treated from different sections and theoretical perspectives were presented. In addition, in one of the simultaneous spaces, a question of great relevance was raised for all the professionals who attended the conclave: the regulation of psychotherapy in Spain.

Roberto Pereira, an expert in family therapy, explained to the attendees the current situation of this activity. Here are the general ideas that he gave us, as well as a definition of psychotherapy:

Is it a profession?

Psychotherapy is neither a science nor a profession. His training is not legally regulated so he is in an illegal situation. This does not mean that it is an illegal activity, or submerged, but that it cannot be advertised legally. His identity is not clearly defined.

In turn, this situation means that, today, anyone in Spain can practice psychotherapy. Eye! Exercise it, not be accredited as such. There have been complaints of intrusion in cases in which it has been practiced without being a doctor or psychologist, but since it is not defined as a profession, there is no basis for the complaint.

How to get accredited?

There are 5 entities that can accredit us as a psychotherapist, and each one presents its own access requirements:

• FEATF : Spanish Federation of Family Therapy Associations – for professionals in the socio-health area
• FEAP : Spanish Federation of Associations of Psychotherapists – access to doctors and psychologists. Also other professionals in the socio-sanitary area with added requirements.
• COP : Official College of Psychologists of Madrid – psychologists.
• AEN : Spanish Association of Neuropsychiatry – doctors or psychologists.
• Official College of Physicians (Madrid and Barcelona) – graduates in medicine (Madrid) and psychiatrists with training in psychotherapy (Madrid and Barcelona).

It should be noted that accredit (give faith) is not synonymous with training (preparing for power) or enabling (giving permission). In the specific case of psychotherapy, these 5 entities are accredited, they train the private centers that provide this training and no one qualifies.

Relationship between psychologists and psychotherapy

Psychotherapy and psychology are not the same. Therefore, being a psychologist is not equivalent to being a psychotherapist. However, the Degree in Psychology, the Master in General Health Psychology and the Specialty of Clinical Psychology are the most recommended studies for admission to training of this type.

Therefore, health psychologists can practice psychotherapy, but they cannot be accredited as psychotherapists unless they do the specific training required by the different entities. On the other hand, it is at least curious how in the Royal Decree that regulates the title of General Health Psychologist the word psychotherapy is not present even once.

National Registry of Psychotherapists

In 2010, FEAP began meeting with representatives from FEATF and AEN. Thus, the 3 non-corporate organizations that had records of these professionals established with public accreditation criteria tried to agree on common minimum criteria to create a single National Registry of Psychotherapists. They got it in 2012.

This registry allows to locate accredited psychotherapists by geographic location, focus and / or work modality (adults, family, adolescents, couple, groups or individual).

Procedures for registering as a psychotherapist

They are similar in the 5 organizations, except in the AEN, which requires being a member or collegiate of the organization. These accreditations are issued indefinitely in the case of FEAP and COP or, defined in FEATF (5 years) and AEN (10 years). In the latter case, the renewal can be requested, if a series of continuing training criteria are met.

Training and content

In general, the entities mentioned agree that this type of comprehensive training requires at least 3 years. In the rest of Europe, 4 are required.

Likewise, they point out that there are certain contents that must be completed to be able to exercise as such. These are more or less specific depending on each entity. All these entities agree that there must be a theoretical-practical training, supervision (between 100h and 150h) and both personal (between 50h and 100h) and experiential work.

What if it becomes a legal activity in the future?

Being accredited now does not guarantee that if psychotherapy is legislated in the future, you will be directly accredited.

There is still a long legal way to go before psychotherapy is legally considered a profession. However, the efforts made by these different organizations represent a firm step in this process and bring all professionals in this area closer to a more regulated and controlled situation.