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Certification in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy

Licensed clinicians who complete all requirements for certification during the training in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy will be eligible for certification as an Anthroposophic Psychotherapist with approval by the faculty of the Association of Anthroposophic Psychology (AAP).  Further certification with the International Federation of Anthroposophic Psychotherapy Associations (IFAPA), and the Medical Section of the Goetheanum may also be sought after all conditions required are met.  The following requirements must have been achieved (and be current) in order to receive certification in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy from the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology:

    • Completion of a graduate degree in a mental health discipline, or medicine with an emphasis on psychiatry, psychotherapy, or clinical counseling.
    • Current valid licensure as a mental health provider or medical health provider. 
    • At least three years of experience as a mental health provider.
    • Agreement to uphold the values and ethics of Anthroposophic Psychotherapy, as indicated in both the ethics of the American Psychological Association or the American Counseling Association or the Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association and the Ethics Code of the International Federation of Anthroposophic Psychotherapy Associations.
    • Graduate of a 3-year program in anthroposophic psychology approved by IFAPA, such as the Foundation Studies in Anthroposophic Psychology of the North American Association for Anthroposophic Psychology.
    • Completion of a minimum of 2 years of AAP’s training program in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy.
    • Completion of mentored practice indicated by active participation in 2 years of case presentation and case consultation groups focused on anthroposophic psychotherapy, facilitated by an AAP faculty member.
    • Individual study, reading, and preparation as evidenced by successful completion of AAP course requirements.
    • Completion of an approved capstone project which deeply explores a topic within anthroposophic psychology or psychotherapy.
    • Submission of 3 written case studies which include a case conceptualization and treatment approach that incorporates anthroposophic perspectives and demonstrates a capacity to appraise and provide integral treatment which falls within the purview of anthroposophic psychotherapy.  A minimum of one of these case studies must be presented orally and satisfy a minimum page requirement of 10 double-spaced pages.
    • Satisfactory completion of oral exam in the form of the oral presentation of a major case study.
    • Demonstration of ethical behavior within the context of the training program and within the scope of licensed practice (absence of disciplinary measures against license).

Further Notes about Certification in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy

The curriculum of the programs provided by the Association for Anthroposophic Psychology fulfills and often exceeds the requirements placed by IFAPA, the Medical Section of the Goetheanum, and the World Health Organization (WHO) for Anthroposophic Psychotherapy.  For reference, further specifics regarding these requirements are provided below.  Note that the IFAPA and WHO requirements are still under ratification and may be altered at any time by the board of IFAPA.

International certification in Anthroposophic Psychotherapy requires a total of 1000 hours:

    • 2701 hours minimum of direct instruction and didactics (in person or online) provided by faculty trained in anthroposophic psychology and psychotherapy.
    • 2501 hours minimum of supervised clinical practice and intercollegial intervision and study groups; note that supervised clinical practice accrued during licensure may count towards part of this requirement.
    • 2301 hours minimum of individual study and preparation, reflection, literature and more in-depth studies, homework, and exercises.
    • 2501 hours minimum of individual work resulting in one capstone project in anthroposophic psychology and 3 written case studies.

Curricular content for international certification must include:

    • Fundamentals of Anthroposophic psychology and the healthy development of body, soul, and spirit. 
    • Anthroposophically based diagnostics and assessment methods, including two-fold, three-fold, four-fold and seven-fold aspects of the human being.
    • Psychopathology: pathogenesis and psychiatric disorders in children and adults. 
    • The spectrum of anthroposophically based psychotherapeutic methods related to academic research outcomes and professional ethical standards. 
    • Knowledge of multi-disciplinary anthroposophic treatment by means of:
        • Anthroposophic psychotropic medication
        • External nursing applications
        • Physiotherapies
        • Movement therapies
        • Art therapies.
    • Counter-transferential self-knowledge, as well as anthroposophical approach to the inner development of the therapist.
    • Professionalism, research and science: keeping up to date with research and research methods in anthroposophic psychotherapy and academic scientific outcome studies, professional ethics, and participation in national and international exchange.  

1These criteria were the criteria proposed 12/2019 and were still in place 7/2020.  Criteria may have changed since this time, but IFAPA has not yet published a revised set of criteria.

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