THE REACH NETWORK – HOW IT WORKS

 

 

 

Background

We have been running a variety of training programmes since 1990, which participants have been able to use towards their Continued Professional Development (CPD), as well as for their own personal development.  Since 2014 we have created three postgraduate courses – a Certificate in Holistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (HIP), and those who graduate from this can go on to undertake the Diploma.  The third course is a certificate in coaching (Coaching Plus).  To become part of The Reach Network, interested therapists would have to successfully complete one of our postgraduate qualifications.

 

Our qualifications are accredited by NCP (National Council of Psychotherapists) and the CMA (The Complementary Medical Association) and our psychotherapy courses have achieved Advanced Specialist Training Recognition from NCS (The National Counselling Society) and our coaching course has achieved Quality Checked Training Recognition with the society.

 

This scheme is not merely about increasing numbers, it’s about maintaining the quality we’ve established, whilst extending what we do to those parts of the country (and the world) where access to our services is limited or non-existent.

 

It should be stated for clarity that those who undertake our training programme and want to go on to use the materials we provide, will be required to sign the Reach franchise agreement, which gives them permission to use the intellectual property Reach has created, under supervision, carried out by a senior practitioner within Reach.  There are two options; one can become an associate, which means using our approach as their primary modality.  Or one can become an affiliate, which means using our material as a part of what they do.

 

 

The Reason for Creating The Reach Network

Although we currently have 76 practitioners within Reach (12 partners, 40 associates and 24 affiliates), this is a drop in the ocean compared to the need that exists.  We have countless examples of those who want to more directly access our services and we simply have not been able to meet that need.  Although telephone counselling, and video calls have helped bridge some of those gaps, there is still no substitute for face-to-face contact (where this is possible), as there’s a quality of intimacy that one can enjoy from in-person connection, that no other medium quite replicates.

 

We are almost entirely dependent upon video, telephone and email contact with our overseas clients; this applies to some parts of the UK too.  By extending our network and creating additional associates of Reach, we will be increasing the opportunity for those who are in need to gain access to face-to-face therapy, where that is their preference.

 

Although our focus is here in the UK, we are currently training therapists in Canada, Australia, North and South America, and a number of European countries – and so we are happy to work with any appropriately qualified overseas practitioners.

 

 

The Postgraduate Certificate

The minimum number of hours required for successful completion of the certificate is 200.

 

Our training programme is, to a large degree, tailor-made for each student and so it is difficult to be precise about the number of hours required to successfully complete all 10 modules.  This is going to be subject to the student’s previous knowledge, background and experience, as well as their familiarity with our material.

 

As a guide, based on our experience, each module will take at least 4 – 6 one and a half hour, face-to-face training sessions (or via video) to complete. Students should expect that the recommended reading, research and writing up of assignments will at least match the tuition hours they will receive. Some students will need more personal study and preparation time to bridge the gaps in their understanding.

 

It should also be stated that the 10 core modules could take longer if the student chooses to undertake the journey at a slower pace, due to their own personal circumstances.

 

 

The Postgraduate Diploma

Those wishing to undertake the postgraduate diploma will have to have successfully completed the postgraduate certificate and will be expected to undertake a further 180 hours of training.  This involves revisiting the 10 modules at a much deeper level.

 

Course participants will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of our holistic and integrative approach using current case studies as part of their learning process.

 

Assessment of the postgraduate diploma is via the successful completion of a research project (12,000 – 15,000 word dissertation) of the student’s choice relating to an aspect of the course.  The subject matter will be decided between the student and their tutor.  To find out more about the training syllabus please click the link.

 

 

Eligibility

The minimum requirement for entry to the HIP course is a diploma, advanced diploma or postgraduate diploma in counselling/psychotherapy (this needs to be at least level 4).  Applicants will also be expected to have relevant pre and post qualification experience, amounting to a minimum of 300 hours.  Applicants need to be either already accredited or working towards accreditation with BACP, NCPS, UKCP or NCIP.  Those interested in our postgraduate Certificate in Coaching require a different level of entry.  Please click here.

 

Overseas applicants will be assessed on their individual merits – due to differences in qualifications, accreditation procedures, governing bodies and relevant legislation.  So please contact us if you are in any doubt about your eligibility.

 

In the first instance, candidates must submit a personal bio, which expresses their reasons for applying for the course, a summary of their background, their relevant knowledge, experience, skills and interests. Those whose applications are successful will be invited to attend an interview. This is generally with two or more members of the senior management team.  This provides the candidate with an opportunity to gather relevant information about the course, and for us to assess their suitability for this unique opportunity.

 

 

Costs

At the outset, all tuition will be one-to-one. This is largely to ensure we can adapt to the individual needs of each student. It’s important to us that we get the right people and help them to develop in a way that’s consistent with our philosophy and approach. It goes without saying, that unless students are really interested in and passionate about our work, it makes no sense for them to apply.

 

We’re not looking to change what we do (although what we do keeps evolving) we’re looking for people who ‘get’ where we’re coming from and are interested in developing in a truly integrative and holistic way.

 

We are not anti any other approaches and are not promoting the idea that ‘our model is better than your model’, after all our whole approach is built on co-operation and collaboration. But equally, our synergistic philosophy is not something we’re willing to compromise on either.

 

As stated earlier, we envisage that at least 4 – 6 sessions will be needed to complete each module. Each training session will be one and a half hours in duration and currently cost £70.00 (£80 in London – due to higher overheads), which we consider to be a very modest price for what is on offer. But because the length of tuition may vary subject to how long the individual takes completing each module, the total costs will also reflect that.

 

Course participants are not required to pay any fees up front, because they will pay for the training programme each time they attend a training session.  This we hope will make managing the costs of the programme easier for those interested in undertaking the training.

 

It will be a requirement for those who want to become associates or affiliates of Reach that their supervision takes place with a senior Reach practitioner.  For practitioners working in this field, this is not an additional cost, as it is a requirement of all of the governing bodies (BACP, NCS, NCIP and UKCP).

 

What this means is that if the student is already in practice when they start the training, and have their own supervision arrangements in place, then at some point they will need to transfer their supervision to a Reach practitioner.  This is because another supervisor is not going to be able to oversee work conducted in our model, as they will not have been trained by ourselves.

 

 

Becoming an Associate

Individuals who successfully graduate may choose for various reasons not to be a part of The Reach Network, or may not have met the minimum standard we require to join us.  As previously explained, students cannot use our materials without the franchise agreement being signed, which is in effect a license to use our intellectual property and resources.

 

Those who do become associates will be required to pay £60.00 per month for the lifetime of their involvement with Reach. This gives the associate on-going support and access to what is a vast array of resources that have been developed over nearly 40 years, which include:

 

Access to a therapist only website, packed with resources to help with their professional development. Hundreds of handouts, worksheets, CDs, MP3s, videos, access to research past and present, support in building their arm of the practice, exposure on the main Reach website, localised SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) to aid their marketing, on-going training in order to get the best out of our model and approach, and much more… To see a more complete list of benefits please click here.

 

We concluded that £60 per month, given what the associate would have access to immediately and going forward, is a very modest contribution as they would become part of a well-established brand which will help them to develop a reputation and credibility much more quickly than they could by themselves.

 

The associates’ contributions help us to keep making a positive difference to those who are unable to afford therapy and/or have no access to this kind of help for some other reason. We consider this ‘charitable’ arm of our work to be a crucial part of our identity.  In addition, those contributing to The Reach Network are also helping with the wider costs involved in running Reach.

 

Those who are interested in becoming a part of the network and would like to see a copy of the Reach franchise agreement, can either contact their tutor/supervisor or the Reach Network Officer, Donella Caubo at: enquiries@thereachnetwork.co.uk.

 

 

When Can I Start to Practise in The Reach Approach?

If the student is undertaking the training and being supervised by us from the start, then subject to their background and experience they could begin practising in The Reach Approach straight away.

 

We have found over the years that the best way to integrate training into practice is to be practising. If the student is not under our supervision initially, then practising within our model would have to be delayed until they’d made the transition to a Reach supervisor, because we wouldn’t be evaluating their client work first-hand during their training. Obviously the ideal starting position is to be supervised by a senior member of Reach, whilst undergoing our training programme. Some individuals may not be able to make this transition immediately, due to prior contractual arrangements.

 

For associates and affiliates, on-going supervision with Reach is a non-negotiable requirement of being part of the Network, as this is the primary way that we ensure high standards are maintained.  This will help to avoid some of the abuse of our materials and resources, as well as the misrepresentations of our work, that have taken place in the past.

 

 

Post Training

All associates will be expected to acquire their professional indemnity insurance through our partner, Holistic Insurance Services, with whom we have formed a professional alliance to be able to offer insurance at a discounted rate, which is very competitive.   More importantly they offer a first-class product that is ‘fit for purpose’ and are an organisation that shares our values and philosophy.  That said, if the associate has found a better deal elsewhere, they are welcome to pursue that.

 

To find out more about what Holistic Insurance Services have to offer, take a look at the Professional Support Services section on our website:

https://www.thereachapproach.co.uk/2017/06/06/holistic-insurance-service/

 

 

Contact Us

If you’re interested in undertaking our training, in order to become part of The Reach Network, please contact the Head of the Reach Training School, or email at: enquiries@thereachapproach.co.uk and we’ll be happy to deal with any enquiries, queries or concerns you may have.

 

 


 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

i) 10 modules that can be completed in a timescale to suit your individual circumstances.

 

ii) Studying a unique, well researched model integrating past and present, science and spirituality and the latest developments in the mind-body connection.

 

iii) Successful students can join The Reach Network – and will be given specific help in how to develop a successful private practice.

 

iv) Minimum requirement for entry to the postgraduate certificate/diploma is a certificate, advanced certificate or diploma in counselling or psychotherapy (minimum level 4).

 

v) Students need to be accredited or working towards accreditation with BACP, NCPS, NCIP or UKCP.

 

vi) On-going supervision on completion of training with a senior Reach practitioner, is an essential requirement for those wanting to be associates or affiliates.

 

vii) £60 per month for the life-time of one’s involvement in the scheme, which is paid by standing order.

 

viii) All associates will have on-going access to a therapist only website (packed with a vast array of resources to enhance their personal and professional development).  In addition, they will have access to Reach research, materials and products either free of charge or at cost.

 

ix) Inclusion on Reach’s main website with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) specific to associates’ locality and specialisms.

 

x) Support in marketing and promoting the associates’ practice – access to our accountancy services and favourable rates for professional indemnity insurance.

 

xi) Although each associate will sign a contract they can leave the Network at any time, giving 60 days’ notice. However, on leaving the Network they cannot continue to operate under the Reach name or continue to use our materials and resources without our expressed permission.

 

 

 


Also see:  Syllabus – Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching