The Institute of Family Therapy is a member organisation.There are three types of membership
Members – including MSc graduate members. To be eligible for full IFT membership you must:
- be a qualified Family & Systemic Psychotherapist
- agree to abide by the IFT Code of Ethics and Practice
- be currently practicing in the field of family therapy or systemic practice
- An annual membership fee is payable every January. Although applications for membership are accepted at any time through the year, the membership year runs from January 31st to January 30th, and the annual fee is payable, whatever the date of joining
- Membership applications will be submitted to the Membership sub committee for approval
- If Membership is not granted the Institute is under no obligation to explain the reason
- Should membership of IFT lapse for more than 3 years a new application to join must be submitted
- Members must inform the Institute about any complaints lodged against them, whether found or not
- Complaints can be heard by the Institute about the delivery of training or clinical services of full members. Please see IFT Complaints Policy and Procedure.
Should a complaint lodged against a member be heard by IFT, and the complaint be found, the following sanctions may be applied to the member at the discretion of the Director and Chair of Council:
- Note put on membership file for one year
- Additional specific training / supervision to be undertaken – written evidence to be provided by member and trainer / supervisor
- Membership suspended while additional specific training / supervision undertaken – written evidence to provided by member and trainer / supervisor
- Membership revoked by resolution of the Trustees of IFT – this only by resolution of the Trustees on the grounds that in their reasonable opinion the member’s continued membership is detrimental to the Charity. The Trustees may only pass such a resolution after notifying the member in writing and considering the matter in the light of any written representations which the member concerned puts forward within 14 clear days after receiving notice
The Institute of Family Therapy is a member organisation of UKCP and is bound by their rules and regulations and those of the Independent Complaints Organisation (ICO).
Full members of IFT are eligible for UKCP registration, but must fulfil the UKCP criteria.
Asociate Members
Associate membership can be granted to graduates of the Institute’s MSc in Child Focused Practice, Systemic Management and Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies, or equivalent.
Regulations a) to e) apply.
Honorary Members
In exceptional circumstances the Institute may wish to grant honorary membership. There is no fee for this.
This category usually applies to those members no longer delivering clinical services, but honorary members must agree to abide by the Institute of Family Therapy’s Code of Ethics and Practice.
If an honorary member undertakes clinical work they must inform the Institute.
Benefits of membership:
All three types of membership entitle you to:
- reduced fees at workshops and conferences
- free attendance to evening seminars
- use of library
- advanced notification of teaching and clinical opportunities
- invitations to special members meetings
- reduced rates for room bookings
- vote at the Annual General Meeting
Ratified by Council, November 28, 2006