That’s a question I got asked recently in a conversation about there being many badges, many accreditations, many organisations out there around therapy.
So, I wanted to share my thoughts and explain why COSRT matters so much to the public and professionals.
Let’s start with the history because the truth is that we stand on the shoulders of giants. It’s COSRT, across it’s fifty-year history that has seen its members and staff define what Psychosexual and Relationship Therapies actually are and why they’re important.
Then there’s training. From being at the forefront of supporting specialist courses decades ago, we continue to go above and beyond. Our own public-facing training offer covers all aspects of specialist practice to help therapists continually develop. Inside our membership we give free training to supervisors, students and general registrants to build their skills. Externally we accredit the best qualifications around based on rigorous standards to build support pathways.
That word standards is obviously hugely important. Our individual practitioner and training course standards are bespoke for the professions. Competences, annual requirements, ethics – they are all designed from the ground up only for Psychosexual and Relationship Therapies.
We work to improve knowledge as well. Our international journal has driven forward research and discussion on practice for many years. It brings together debate from around the world. And members have privileged access to it. Beyond that we provide a forum for therapists to publish think pieces, contribute to conferences and more.
Our structure matters too. The Board of Trustees always has a majority drawn from membership. That’s the same with our specialist Standards and Ethics Committees that inform our work and decision making. It means everything we do is informed by people with unique knowledge and insight – informed by the specialists who the organisation represents and supports.
The truth is COSRT is unique. It has a focus and clarity that means if you’re involved in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapies and you’re committed to the best possible practice and public protection.. It’s your natural home.
Steve Johnson
Chair of COSRT