Overview of European Certificate in Psychotherapy (in Reality Therapy)
Phase 1 - Reality Therapy Certification (RTC)
Phase 1 consists of a five-part sequential course of training in Reality Therapy:
- The Basic Intensive Week
- The Basic Practicum (9 to 12 months)
- The Advanced Intensive Week
- The Advanced Practicum (9 to 12months)
- The Certification Week
The participants who successfully complete Phase 1 receive a Certificate recognizing their competency in applying Choice Theory and Reality Therapy to their existing practice. The programme duration is of 18 to 24 months and amount of 440 hours (excluding practice in the social or health system).
When participants have the opportunity to practice in a health or social systems facility they can complete at least 680 hours. This is the foundation for those who decide to pursue training for certification as a psychotherapist. (Programme B in the Phase 2 below).
The William Glasser Institute through other Reality Therapy Institutes also offers globally:
Phase 2 of Reality Therapy Training
(Programme A: Faculty Training or Programme B Psychotherapy Training)
After Certification, continuing professional development and organized special training for Practicum Supervisors and Instructors is available. To become a Practicum Supervisor and Instructor the education lasts a minimum of three years; to become a Senior Instructor a minimum of two additional years are required. Without taking into account university, Phase 1 of Reality Therapy Training together with Faculty Training typically lasts seven years or more.
Programme A of Phase 2 consists of:
Choice Theory; group managing; Reality Therapy, lead-management, role-plays, observations of more experienced colleagues at work, leading the groups and practicums; self-evaluation; awareness of ethical issues, discussions with practitioners of other therapies.
Content, minimal duration, quality of the lectures and training is prescribed and supervised by WGI, its professional boards and by William Glasser, the author of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy. (See WGI Policies and Procedures Manual)
The programme duration is at least 3 years and amount of 585 hours (excluding practice in the social or health system) or 93 5 hours including practice.
The European Association for Reality Therapy in accordance with The William Glasser Institute offers:
Programme B: Psychotherapy Training
Programme B is integral specialized training, meeting the standards of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) set up in the Strasbourg Declaration of Psychotherapy 1990. Requirements for acceptance to Programme B are: a university degree (or equivalent), completion of Training Phase One sponsored by WGI, and having the opportunity to work with people in a psychotherapeutic session.
To obtain ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy) a candidate will have completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 (Programme B): All together 2070 hours (time spent at university is not included)
- 300 hours of theory
- 170 hours of training of self-evaluation, connecting and therapeutic skills
- 150 hours of placement in a mental health setting or equivalent;
- 200 hours of supervision of this practice
- 250 hours of personal psychotherapeutic experience.
Lectures, training, supervision and personal psychotherapy are provided by professionals who are faculty of the William Glasser Institute as well as holders of the European Certificate of Psychotherapy. All faculty involved in the programme are receiving continuous training via the EART framework.
Those undertaking Programme B who are placed in health, social services, educational or equivalent settings require supervision by professionals in psychotherapy but not necessarily in Reality Therapy.
The content, minimal duration and quality of the lectures and training are prescribed and supervised by EART Expert Council and are in line with the programmes and mission of WGI and with EAP standards.