CPsycholChartered Psychologist

developing psychologysupporting psychologists

CPsychol is the benchmark of professional recognition. It reflects the highest standard of psychologicalknowledge and expertise.

CPsychol is a mark of experience, competence andreputation for anyone looking to learn from, consult or employ a psychologist.

The British Psychological Society is the representative body forpsychology and psychologists in the UK. It was granted its Royal Charterin 1965. The Society has national responsibility for the development,promotion and application of psychology for the public good, andpromotes the efficiency and usefulness of its members by maintaininga high standard of professional education and knowledge.

The title Chartered Psychologist is legally recognised under theRoyal Charter. Those who the British Psychological Society has deemedeligible to do so are entitled to use the designation ‘CharteredPsychologist’ and the abbreviation CPsychol after their name.

For more information about the British Psychological Society visitwww.bps.org.uk

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Dr Joanne Thatcher CPsychol CSci FHEA

Chartered Psychologist, Senior Lecturer, at Aberystwyth University

As well as lecturing undergraduates I alsosupervise PhDs in sport and exercisepsychology and have worked with athletescompeting in sports as varied as rugby,karate, cycling, boxing and swimming.

When I became interested in sportspsychology it was a fairly new subject, so my route to becoming a CharteredPsychologist was more winding than it isnow. I undertook a physical educationdegree, a PGCE and then a doctorate indevelopmental sports psychology. Becausesports psychology was not widelyrecognised at that time, I felt it was reallyimportant to seek equivalent careerrecognition for myself as a psychologist,which is why I worked toward CharteredPsychologist status, achieving it in 1998.

For me, becoming a Chartered Psychologistwas all about self perception; I wanted tomeet the Society’s benchmark to prove tomyself that I was a credible psychologistand equivalent in expertise to practitionersand academics in other areas of psychology.However, it’s been clear to me that CharteredStatus has also affected how I’m perceivedby my peers, colleagues and clients and ithas certainly helped my career development.

Chartered status was applied to sport andexercise psychology in 2004, and since then,more and more psychologists have beenworking to achieve it. Because of theburgeoning popularity of sport and exercisepsychology, this benchmark is going tobecome increasingly important for clientsseeking a psychologist and in the job market.

When I look around at colleagues in myprofession, if someone has achievedchartered status then I know they have abreadth of understanding of psychology andthe specialist application of psychology inthe field of sport and exercise.

‘Chartered status has also affected how I’m perceived and it hascertainly helped my career development.’Dr Joanne Thatcher

Message from the President

Chartered membership of the British Psychological Society is a significant achievement for psychologists working in practice or academia. Underpinning the designation are high levels of academic achievement, minimum periods of supervised and applied experience, a commitment to lifelong learning and an engagement with broader issues facing theprofession. These foundations are further strengthened by both the Member Conduct Rulesand the Code of Ethics and Conduct that together form the core of what it means to be a Chartered Psychologist.

The Health Professions Council (HPC) is the statutory regulator for practitioner psychologists.However, Chartered Psychologist status is conferred solely by the Society. CPsychol isawarded to all academic and practitioner psychologists who have met the Society’s highstandards for education and training. It is the gold standard that shows a commitment tothe continued development and promotion of the discipline.

Sue Gardner, CPsycholPresident of The British Psychological Society

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Professor Tony Cassidy CPsychol CSci AFBPsS

Chartered Psychologist, Lecturer at the University of Ulster

My main area of interest is appliedpsychology – more specifically howpsychology can help improve people’shealth and wellbeing and reduce stress.This takes me into the realms of healthpsychology, sport & exercise psychology,community and environmental psychologyand occupational psychology, and I havelectured on these subjects at a number ofUK universities. My main focus here at theUniversity of Ulster is health psychology.

This focus on the application of psychologyhas led me to develop a number of coursesin applied psychology, and I worked withthe Society to develop the NationalOccupational Standards for psychologists,which define the role and competences of psychologists in the workplace.

I became a Chartered Psychologist fairlyearly on in my career. As we work with veryvulnerable individuals to help them changetheir behaviour we find ourselves in aposition of power, which is open to abuse.When I explain to people that my charteredstatus means I uphold a set of professionalstandards, they really value it, and itcertainly helps to establish trust.

I firmly believe that CPsychol demonstratesthat a psychologist is committed to theircontinuing professional development andstays up-to-date with developments in theirareas of expertise.

Because of my chartered status I was ableto become a Chartered Scientist through theBritish Psychological Society. As well as doingthis for my own professional development Ifelt it was a good way to strengthenpsychology’s position as a science.

‘When I explain to people that my chartered status means I upholda set of professional standards, they really value it, and it certainlyhelps to establish trust.’Professor Tony Cassidy

Standards

A Chartered Psychologist has proved through a combination of qualifications and experiencethat they have met the standards required to join those at the pinnacle of their profession.

To become chartered, a psychologist must be a member of the British Psychological Societyand have:■ achieved a first degree in psychology recognised by the Society as meeting the Graduate

Basis for Chartered Membership■ undertaken Society accredited post graduate qualifications and training■ agreed to follow the Society’s Member Conduct Rules and be guided by the Society’s

Code of Ethics and Conduct

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Professor Ray Bull DSc FBPsS CPsychol CSci

Chartered Psychologist,Chair of Forensic Psychology at theUniversity of Leicester

As an academic forensic psychologist myareas of research have included eye-witnessrecollection, identification issues, voicerecognition and investigative interviewing.

I am currently carrying out research intodeception detection; attempting to getcloser to real life conditions by makingmore demands on the deceiver’s cognitiveload and seeing whether interviewers candetect deception at a higher rate.

As well as my academic role I also work asan expert witness in civil and criminalproceedings, I’ve produced around 200reports and made many court appearances.Much of this has centred on the interviewingof witnesses and suspects, and eye witnesstestimony. Chartered status is advantageous

to my role as an expert witness for tworeasons. Appearing on the Register ofChartered Psychologists (now known as theList of Chartered Psychologists) helpslawyers find me, which is beneficial in thefirst instance, and my chartered status isvery important in court as people viewchartership as a mark of reliability andsound knowledge in your area of expertise.When you’re announced as a CharteredPsychologist in court, lawyers certainly findit more difficult to undermine yourintellectual standing and expertise.

Membership of the British PsychologicalSociety and CPsychol are strong indicatorsthat a psychologist has the experience andknowledge to hold positions of responsibilityin what is a very challenging field.

By adhering to the British Psychological Society’s Membership Conduct Rules and Code ofEthics and Conduct, Chartered Psychologists demonstrate to their clients, who may includepatients, students, research participants, educational institutions or organisations, that theyuphold the highest levels of professional standards and ethics.

Psychologists have to make decisions in difficult, changing and unclear situations, and bothdocuments help guide members’ behaviour and decision making in these circumstances.

‘When you’re announced as a Chartered Psychologist in court,lawyers certainly find it more difficult to undermine yourintellectual standing and expertise.’Professor Ray Bull

Integrity

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Professor Glynis M. BreakwellDSc LLD(Hon) PhD FBPsS CPsychol FRSA AcSS

Chartered Psychologist,Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath

During my academic career I carried outresearch into leadership, identity processes,risk communication and military cultures. As a result I acted as an advisor to a numberof government departments including theDepartment of Health, the Department ofTrade and Industry and the Ministry ofDefence, as well as many multi-nationalcorporations and not-for-profit organisations.I became a Chartered Health Psychologist in 1988, and I am in no doubt that mychartered status enabled me to pursue theresearch activity that has shaped my career.

Chartered status has also given me a solidframework for the development of myprofessional experience and expertise. TheSociety’s CPD programme encouraged me toattend workshops and conferences, to stayup-to-date with research developments

within my areas of expertise and tocontinually challenge myself, something we must all do if we are to stay at the topof our profession.

I believe that chartered status is a mark ofquality assurance for our clients, who inacademia can be research sponsors as wellas participants and students. In a role suchas mine where you work with many otherprofessional groups, it is incrediblyimportant that your professional body andstanding is recognised and highly regarded.I have found Fellowship of the BritishPsychological Society and chartered statusto be valuable in this way, particularly whenworking internationally, and for thesereasons I have always encouraged mystudents to seek chartered status as soon as they embark on a career in psychology.

‘In a role such as mine where you work with many other professionalgroups, it is incredibly important that your professional body andstanding is recognised and highly regarded.’Professor Glynis M. Breakwell

Professionalism

A Chartered Psychologist is seen by their employers and colleagues as being dedicated totheir profession. As a result, Chartered Psychologist status can help to advance your careerboth in the UK and internationally.

A Chartered Psychologist’s expertise is held in the highest regard, and this is reflected in thehigh profile and senior positions they hold and the fields that they work in.

Chartered Psychologists hold positions including Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bath,Chief Psychologist posts at the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions,Director of the Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, Director of Psychology posts withinHigher Education and many Consultant Psychologist roles within the NHS.

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Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw DSc CPsychol CSci AFBPsS

Chartered Psychologist,Head of Psychology, at Kensington and Chelsea NHS PCT

I work with people with learning disabilitiessome of whom have additional mentalhealth problems. The psychological andphysical health problems of these individualsare frequently overshadowed by theirlearning disability, so improving access toprimary care and psychological therapies forthem is incredibly important, as is workingwith GPs to increase awareness of the healthinequalities suffered by this disempoweredgroup of people.

I’ve worked as a Clinical Psychologist in theNHS for 35 years and I sought charteredstatus as soon as I became qualified. It’svital that clients are secure in the knowledgethat they are being looked after by trainedand competent clinicians. I tell my clientsand patients at our first meeting about my

membership of the British PsychologicalSociety and my chartered status, and cansee that gives them trust and confidence inmy ability to help them.

There is no doubt that within the NHS,chartered status is highly regarded. As aNational Assessor I see CPsychol as evidencethat a psychologist takes their profession andtheir clinical competence seriously. It carriesa lot of weight and will continue to do so.

I have experienced firsthand the influencethat we can have when we work together asa profession, as I have sat on several of theSociety’s committees such as the DCP CPDsub-committee and am the founder andcurrent Chair of the Race and Culture Faculty.Working to reduce the disadvantage anddiscrimination suffered by people fromblack and minority ethnic communities inthe mental health service system is just oneexample. Chartered status helps us all toachieve our professional goals by maintainingthe standing of psychologists.

‘As a National Assessor I see CPsychol as evidence that a psychologisttakes their profession and their clinical competence seriously.’Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw

Trust

BPSLearningCentre

A Chartered Psychologist has proved their commitment to their continuing professionaldevelopment (CPD) and the wider issues facing their profession.

The knowledge that Chartered Psychologists update and develop their knowledge and skillson a regular basis reassures their clients and the wider public, and engenders trust in theirprofessional skills and competence to practice.

The British Psychological Society is active in the provision of training and development forits members, and also provides a system which allows psychologists to record their CPD. This helps members plan and engage their ongoing continuing professional development so they can maintain the highest possible standards of professional practice.

The Society has a new training and development portal – the BPS Learning Centre. Visitwww.bps.org.uk/learningcentre for information on professional development opportunitiesand an online CPD system where you can record any professional development that you do.

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Dr Garfield Harmon CPsychol AFBPsS

Chartered Psychologist,Consultant Clinical Psychologist,Trust Training Co-ordinator, at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

I currently work part time in adult mentalhealth services for Oxleas NHS FoundationTrust where I see adults with problems thataffect people in urban Britain, notablydepression and anxiety, issues that arefrequently a result of underlying trauma. I also dedicate much of my time tosupervising both trainee clinicalpsychologists and training supervisorsworking within the NHS. This focus onsupervision led me to recently complete a Masters in Organisational Consultancyfrom the Tavistock Clinic.

I became chartered in 1989 soon afterqualifying as a Clinical Psychologist. It madegood sense as at this time I worked inprivate practice as well as the health service

so being on the Register of CharteredPsychologists gave me visibility to peopleseeking a psychologist.

To do my job effectively my clients musttrust me. People tell psychologists theirmost private secrets and we cannot abusethe privilege of our position. Being charteredis evidence to my clients that I take myprofession and this privilege seriously, andthat they can depend on me to actprofessionally at all times. Chartered statusand membership of the British PsychologicalSociety also sends a strong message to yourcolleagues that you are bona fide, that youhave the backing of your professional bodyand adhere to its rules.

I always stress the importance of CharteredPsychologist status to the trainee clinicalpsychologists I supervise as I believe that ittruly marks the beginning of their story asa professional.

Benefits of being a Chartered Psychologist

Once Chartered, psychologists are eligible to join the searchable online list of Charteredmembers on the Society’s website. Chartered Psychologists are also entitled to apply to the Society for recognition of their specialist skills, such as psychologists specialising in psychotherapy.

Chartered Psychologists are entitled to apply to become Chartered Scientists, as the BritishPsychological Society is licensed by the Science Council to confer this title. CharteredPsychologists are eligible to apply for the title EuroPsy Registered Psychologist, as theSociety is authorised by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) to confer this title.

Chartered Psychologists have exclusive use of the chartered logo, for example in youradvertising, on stationery and on your website.

To find out about other benefits of membership of the Society, please visit www.bps.org.uk

‘I always stress the importance of Chartered Psychologist status tothe trainee clinical psychologists I supervise as I believe that it trulymarks the beginning of their story as a professional.’Dr Garfield Harmon

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Professor Tommy MacKayDUniv PhD CertEd FSAScot AcSS FRSA FBPsSCPsychol CSci

Chartered Psychologist,Psychology Consultancy Services, University of Strathclyde, Argyll & Bute Psychological Service

I work as an Educational Psychologist bothin the independent sector and the publicsector. My field is incredibly varied and drawsits theoretical and practice base from arange of areas of mainstream psychology.

Through consultation, assessment andintervention I help individuals in theirlearning and development, I also helpchildren, young people and young adultswith wider mental health issues such asanxiety, depression or OCD. Working withschools and education authorities ondeveloping the curriculum also allows me to have a role in increasing the attainmentlevels of all pupils.

My current research interests include raisinglevels of educational achievement – especiallyliteracy – autistic spectrum disorders, and thedevelopment of post-school psychologicalservices for vulnerable young adults.

I achieved chartered status with theSociety as soon as it became available, andsince then I have never doubted that it hasbeen important to my career progression.Chartered status is a way that manyprofessions define their highest standardof professional achievement, andemployers, clients and the wider publicalike similarly recognise and respectChartered Psychologists.

CPsychol is also the hallmark of peerrecognition for professional practiceamongst psychologists, and it demonstratespersonal and professional commitment tomaintaining high standards, and to yourcontinuing professional development.

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Carol IrelandCPsychol CSci AFBPsS

Chair of the Division of Forensic Psychology

I became interested in forensic psychologyduring my undergraduate degree and Ivolunteered in the prison service from theage of 19. I continued to work in theprison service throughout my Masters andPhD, and have been working as a qualifiedforensic psychologist at Ashworth HighSecure Hospital since 2002. I now split mytime equally between Ashworth where Iwork in the treatment of sex offenders andcrisis negotiation, and the University ofCentral Lancashire where I am the Directorof the MSc in Forensic Psychology, Directorof post-graduate courses for CEOP (ChildExploitation Online Protection Agency) andconflict communication.

I sought Chartered Psychologist status assoon as I was able to, as it was a requirementto supervise trainees. Within forensic settingschartered psychologist status is highly valued.

I work with forensic clients, the police andwith solicitors and Judges in expert witnesswork, and ‘chartered’ holds meaning for allof these groups. ‘Chartered’ conveys themessage that you have the stamp of approvalfrom your professional body; it tells peoplethat you must be effective at what you do.

Specific to my roles, CPsychol means thatwhen I give evidence in court, barristers areless likely to question my expertise in regardto qualification, and also that I am able tobuy and carry out certain psychometric testsonly available to chartered psychologists.

Being chartered also allowed me to achieveChartered Scientist status. I feel that CSciis very helpful, as the title ‘scientist’ isrecognised and respected by people who maybe unfamiliar with psychology. It immediatelyconveys a message of scientific application.

I think that being part of the BritishPsychological Society is very important as itgives psychology a voice, and I am proud tobe a chartered member.

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Richard ScaifeCPsychol MergS EurErg

Chartered Psychologist,Director, The Keil Centre Ltd

I am a Director of the Keil Centre where I workwith a varied client base which includesindustry, government departments andprivate individuals. I’m a human factorsspecialist and specialise in human safetyanalysis which involves analysing humanfailures in relation to incidents, evaluatingnew designs for their potential impact onhuman performance and assessing ordeveloping safety culture within organisations.

I did my first degree at the University ofWales in Cardiff, and was able to take mythird year out working for the Royal AirForce, where I was involved in human factorsevaluations of new aircraft systems and thestudy of stress in civilian air traffic control.

Following graduation, I worked for the CivilAviation Authority providing human factors

support to air traffic control whilst workingtowards an MSc. I continued to work in airtraffic control and the military, progressingto head of the human factors safety sectionwith National Air Traffic Services. In 2002 Ileft to join The Keil Centre as a consultant.

As an independent Occupational Psychologyconsultancy, we have to work hard toattract and secure clients. I soughtChartered Psychologist status when I joinedthe centre, as it’s really important todemonstrate to clients that yourprofessional body has evaluated what youdo and decided that you are competent topractice independently. Potential clientslook to the Society as it is the trusted bodyof psychology in the UK, so having CharteredPsychologist status and links to the Societyis vital for us as a professional organisationoffering applied psychology services.

I would always advise new psychologists inthe field to seek Chartered Psychologiststatus, as it demonstrates your commitmentto your profession to peers and clients alike.

Amanda HallCPsychol AFBPsS

Consultant Counselling Psychologist,Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, Swansea

I work as a consultant counsellingpsychologist specialising in adult mentalhealth problems at a large NHS Trust. In thePsychological Therapies Service we helppatients with a wide variety of problemssuch as eating disorders and personalitydisorders using therapies including CBT,psychodynamic psychotherapy and EMDR.

I took the independent route to charteredstatus, achieving it in 2000, and it reallymarked the start of my career as aprofessional psychologist. CharteredPsychologists are certainly highly regardedand valued by other professionals in thehealth service. I feel that chartered statusgives me the professional standing to workas an autonomous professional, and havingthis standing has allowed me to work to

develop services within my NHS Trust, andto make a significant impact on patient care.

As a Chartered Psychologist I havedeveloped close ties with the Society –notably working to develop counsellingpsychology as a profession as Chair of theDivision of Counselling Psychology Wales.These links have also allowed me to makeimportant contributions to ImprovingAccess to Psychological Therapies policyboth in Wales and nationally.

I strongly feel that my Chartered Psychologiststatus has enabled me to become fullyengaged in the ongoing work to progressand develop counselling psychology.

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Incorporated by Royal Charter Registered Charity No 229642 INF158/06.09

St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR, UKTel: 0116 254 9568 Fax: 0116 227 1314 E-mail: mail@bps.org.uk Website: www.bps.org.uk