World Council for Psychotherapy

World Council for Psychotherapy

Abbreviation	WCP
Formation	1995
Type	Professional organization
Purpose	To promote psychotherapy as a science and profession
Headquarters	Vienna, Austria
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	Psychotherapists globally
President	Alfred Pritz

The World Council for Psychotherapy (WCP) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and development of psychotherapy as both a science and a profession. Established in 1995 in Vienna, Austria, the WCP aims to foster international collaboration among psychotherapists, enhance training standards, and advocate for the recognition and regulation of psychotherapy as a profession globally.

History

The World Council for Psychotherapy was founded during the First World Congress for Psychotherapy held in Vienna in 1995. This event gathered professionals from various psychotherapeutic disciplines with the common goal of establishing a global entity that could support and unify the field of psychotherapy. Since its inception, the WCP has organized triennial world congresses to facilitate exchange of knowledge and to discuss advancements and challenges in the field.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the WCP include:

• Promoting the science of psychotherapy on an international level.
• Encouraging the development of professional standards and ethics in psychotherapy.
• Supporting the establishment of national and regional psychotherapy organizations.
• Facilitating the exchange of professional knowledge and research through conferences, publications, and collaborative projects.

Membership

Membership in the World Council for Psychotherapy is open to individual psychotherapists, national psychotherapy organizations, and training institutions. Members benefit from access to an international network of professionals, opportunities for professional development, and participation in the WCP's activities and events.

Activities

The WCP conducts a variety of activities to achieve its goals, including:

• Organizing the World Congress for Psychotherapy, which serves as a forum for sharing research, clinical practices, and policy developments.
• Publishing scientific materials and a journal dedicated to psychotherapy research and practice.
• Collaborating with other international organizations to advocate for the recognition of psychotherapy as a regulated profession.

Impact

The World Council for Psychotherapy has played a significant role in promoting the recognition of psychotherapy as a profession and advancing the scientific understanding of psychotherapeutic practices. Through its efforts, the WCP has contributed to the establishment of standards for training and practice that help ensure the quality and efficacy of psychotherapy worldwide.

See also

• Psychotherapy
• Clinical psychology
• Counseling psychology