PrideSpace CIC – Personal Therapy Requirement Policy for Trainees

1. Purpose

PrideSpace CIC is committed to ensuring safe, ethical, and reflective practice among all trainees. Personal therapy is recognised as a vital component of professional development, supporting self-awareness, emotional resilience, and the ability to work effectively with clients.

This policy establishes a minimum requirement for personal therapy engagement during placement.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all trainees undertaking a clinical placement with PrideSpace CIC, regardless of modality, training institution, or level of qualification.

3. Policy Statement

All trainees are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of personal therapy per year of placement while working with PrideSpace CIC.

  • The 20 hours must be completed within each placement year (pro rata if the placement is shorter than 12 months, at the discretion of the clinical lead).
  • Personal therapy should be undertaken with a qualified, independent therapist who is not involved in the trainee’s supervision or assessment.

4. Requirements

Trainees must:

  • Engage consistently in personal therapy throughout their placement.
  • Ensure their therapist is appropriately qualified and practicing in line with recognised professional standards.
  • Provide evidence of attendance if requested (e.g., a signed log or confirmation from the therapist), while maintaining appropriate confidentiality of therapeutic content.

5. Compliance and Monitoring

  • Trainees are responsible for tracking and evidencing their therapy hours.
  • Clinical leads will review compliance as part of routine placement monitoring and progression reviews.

6. Non-Compliance

Failure to meet the minimum requirement of 20 hours of personal therapy will result in:

  • Clinical hours not being signed off by the trainee’s clinical lead.
  • Potential delay in placement completion and progression.
  • A review meeting to determine appropriate remedial actions.

Exceptions may be considered only under exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the clinical lead, and must be formally agreed in writing.

7. Rationale

This requirement reflects best practice within counselling and psychotherapy training, recognising that personal therapy:

  • Enhances self-awareness and reflective capacity
  • Supports safe and ethical client work
  • Helps trainees manage personal material that may arise in clinical practice

8. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure alignment with professional standards and organisational values.