AFT is aware that some practitioners with foundation training are describing themselves as Family Therapists, and the services employing them are using the term Family Therapy. While there is at present no legal obstacle to them doing so, this may have implications for clinical governance and Complaints within NHS Trusts and other employers.
AFT is concerned that families and others seeking therapy may be under the impression they are working with a professional who is fully trained and qualified in systemic family psychotherapy when they are not. Please see "Levels of Training and Competence for Practice"
Practitioners entering into an AFT accredited systemic family therapy clinical training course usually already have a prior professional qualification in a health and social care related profession, so come into the field with a great deal of experience in working with vulnerable children, young people, adults and their families. The training to become a fully qualified systemic family therapist takes four years and only then are practitioners eligible for registration with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and to use the title 'Family and Systemic Psychotherapist'. See AFT's Code of Ethics.