How to Stay Updated After You Qualify
Staying up to date after qualifying is such an important part of growing as a practitioner. Whether it’s building on your skills, connecting with peers, or keeping pace with changes in the field, there are plenty of ways to keep your practice fresh and rewarding.
CPD Courses
CPD courses can help you continue to develop your skills and competences as a practitioner. Learning from CPD courses can increase your capacity to work with new presenting issues or new client groups and help you to keep up to date with changes to legislation or best practice guidance. Attending CPD courses can be a key part of maintaining your professional registration. It can also be a great way to meet fellow professionals.
If you studied at Iron Mill College you get a discount on our CPD courses too - View our CPD Courses
Stacey Sewell | CPD Programmes Lead
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-sewell-7a1a08301/
Networking and Peers
There are various organisations you can sign up to which do newsletters or podcasts that include updates on policy, guidelines and other changing factors which may impact our practice and ethical considerations eg Pink therapy or the Equality network.
As well as taking new information in as practitioners, it feels important to not underestimate how we process and integrate new and changing information.
One way I find this to be valuable, and which can sometimes fall by the wayside after we complete our core training, is working and interacting with peers. One source of this for me which I really appreciate is my Case Study Group, this gives me the opportunity to listen to and discuss practice challenges and triumphs with my peers, enriching my practice as we each bring our different training and experiences. Similarly, Peer Supervision can provide a similar role but don't underestimate discussions with peers informally as well and many of my peers value journalling after completion of their course requirements.
Most importantly I think it's having space in whatever format works for you to spend time reflecting on your practice. How do you understand and integrate the professional developments in the field into your own practice? This requires processing and reflection.
Join your Alumni Network
Joining your college alumni network is a fantastic way to stay connected with like-minded professionals, share insights, and access ongoing learning opportunities. It offers a supportive community where you can exchange experiences, find inspiration, and even discover new career opportunities or collaborations. Plus, it’s a great way to keep up with the latest developments in the field and hear about upcoming events and research you may be interested in.
PS: Iron Mill College now has an Alumni Network, find out more here - View our Alumni Network
Lizzy Porter | Digital Marketing Executive
Maintain your UKATA membership until you get your UKCP Registration
In order for psychotherapy trainees to stay updated on policies and registration/accreditation, you need to:
- Remain members of UKATA until Iron Mill have UKCP OM status. This ensures you are eligible for registration when you take your final exam.
- Keep up to date with notifications from EATA/ITAA/UKCP/UKCP/BACP
- Notify the TA Programme Leader of any changes to your personal or professional circumstances, (such as address changes)
Karen Minikin | HE Programme Leader
Subscribe to Key Resources
The key sources of information around standards, requirements and changes in practice will always to the professional bodies i.e BACP, UKCP, NCPS. The BACP and UKCP. They produce magazines which are good sources of information on debates in the community, ethical practice and training.
The other resource I recommend is peer groups - counselling and therapy can be lonely work, it’s really valuable to be engaged with a group of peers to share practice and experiences.
Dr Rachel Wood | Academic Director
Professional development doesn’t stop after you qualify—it’s an exciting chance to keep learning, stay inspired, and feel supported in your work. With CPD courses, peer networks, and trusted resources, you can continue to grow and make a real difference in the lives of your clients.
Written January 2025
