ACTO Competences within OTI CCT training
The Online Therapy Institute takes its role as an approved provider of training in online therapy by ACTO very seriously. ACTO have recently changed their membership structure to reflect the growing field of technology in therapy, particularly during times of pandemic.
We are aware that this move by ACTO is causing anxiety amongst the graduates of our Certified Cyber Therapist course, who trained on the assumption that the 80 hours previously stipulated by the organisation were enough to join the ACTO Directory.
As of 14:23 on 06/10/2020, ACTO state:
Current members will all start at ACTO Level 2 Professional Membership.
We will update this page as more information becomes available.
ACTO provides competences for working online, which training providers are required to teach. The ACTO competences are available here. You should read them in relation to the headings below. The content below demonstrates how the Online Therapy Institute’s Certified Cyber Therapist course reflects and teaches these competences.
1. Introduction to online therapy
Module one defines and explains essential technologies, and also the history behind online therapy dating back to the 1950s. Our students reflect on their reasons for being on the course in relation to their career, reflect on the research and start their ethical learning journey.
2. Psychological processes relevant to online therapy
The psychological processes examined in depth are Disinhibition, Fantasy, and Presence, as well as an introduction to written skills (Theory Modules 1-4). Internet community knowledge is embedded throughout the course, as is management of attachment and rejection.
3. Assessment
Module Ethics 2 is entirely around the assessment procedure and includes intake forms.
4. Contracting and boundaries
Module Ethics three is entirely around the contracting and boundary keeping process.
5. Communication
The course is detailed on knowledge of communicating using written text (email/IM); telephone work (audio); and video work.
6. Textbased communication and creativity
Modules Practice 1-5 covers the impact of use of technologies, and the ability to use creativity with an online therapy is embedded throughout the course. We also have a module on the Future of Therapy to reflect creativity.
7. Managing risk and safeguarding issues
Ethics 2 (assessment and intake) covers handling crisis online, issues of risk and safeguarding. Self care during such times is embedded throughout the course.
8. International and state boundaries
Ethics 1 (introduction to ethics) covers legal and ethical considerations geographically when offering online therapy. Our tutors are from the UK, Europe, and USA – ensuring we remain up-to-date as possible.
9. Endings and supervision
Practice 5 (Closure) concentrates on endings and continuing resources for the client.
Issues of Supervision are embedded throughout the course – we teach Online Supervision as a separate course.
10. Data protection/GDPR
We provide an entire mini course within the CCT, provided by a GDPR expert on how data protection applies to online therapeutic practice in particular. We also work closely with Privacy4, cyber security specialists, to ensure our trainees get the best advice possible.
What does this mean for OTI graduates and current students?
- If you have graduated from OTI with your CCT qualification of 80 hours and have already joined ACTO, you will be upgraded by the organisation to Professional Member.
- If you are currently training with us and do not have ACTO membership, we will provide a top up course to ensure you meet ACTO stipulations. As this will entail tutor time, we will have to charge for this. However, we are keeping costs as low as possible.
- If you have not yet started your CCT training, but have paid, we will be adding modules at the end of the course to ensure all ACTO criteria are met. This will unfortunately require an increase to course costs from the start of 2021.
- ACTO Senior Professional Membership requires 100 hours of additional training and criteria, including receiving personal therapy online of at least 10 hours
- please note this should preferably be done with a CCT graduate at ProblemShared.net
- ACTO Senior Professional Membership level this stipulated to be at Level 7 (MSc). OTI is working with universities to gain official recognition of credentials – however, please also note that core trainings are likely to include online therapy going forward.
We have read the new membership category information from ACTO thoroughly and have provided the above information to the best of our ability. Please note, however, that the Online Therapy Institute cannot be held responsible for changes made at professional organisation level.
Other routes to membership also include a Grandparenting scheme – if you feel you would like to apply for ACTO membership through this route, we will do our best to assist you.
Read more about our Certified Cyber Therapist course here!
Want a non-tutored taster? Take our nine-hour Telehealth course here (open fee structure, CPD certificate included).
Ethical and OTI Endorsed video conferencing at ProblemShared.net!
