What is CPD ?
CPD (continuing professional development) refers to the process of supporting and widening the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain formally and informally as you work, beyond the initial training. CPD is a record of what you experience, learn and then apply to yourself and in your practice.
CPD MISSION STATEMENT:
It is the aim of Mind-field Training /SWSCH CPD group to achieve consistent standards of professional excellence, through ongoing mutual support and development. We will meet, and exceed, National Occupational standards in order to empower and make a positive difference to the lives of our clients.
What is the CPD for?
CPD helps you to manage your own development on an on-going basis. Its’ purpose is to help you to record, review and reflect on what and how you learn. CPD involves building upon existing knowledge and skills to a more advanced, complex or broader level. CPD ensures professional therapists to retain their ability to practise safely, ethically and legally within their evolving scope of practice.
Why Should I do CPD
Maintaining your CPD enables you to take responsibility for your own learning, developmental needs and keep up to date with current information and legislation within your profession. Keeping abreast of these changes helps you to become more effective in your practice.Why Should I Do CPD ?
What Will CPD Do For Me?
CPD is a requirement for the membership of most professional bodies now and provides you with the following:
- An overview of your professional development to date
- Reminds you of your achievements and how far you have progressed
- Focuses your mind on your goals
- Reveals further developmental needs
- Open up opportunities to network and meet like-minded people
- Demonstrates your professional knowledge & standing to clients and other professionals
- Helps with career progression and be part of a profession that is ever evolving
- To keep your skills and knowledge up to dateImproving the service you offer to your clients
What Constitutes As CPD?
- Attending workshops; seminars; conferences; lectures; CPD meetings and courses
- Self directed activities: Reading; Internet research
- Observation of another therapist in practice (work shadowing)
- Writing articles
- Receiving supervision or mentoring that enhances learning and development
- First Aid Business development (marketing training)
- Training to enhance ethical practice, for example how to maintain professional boundaries, transference and managing issues of confidentiality
Choosing What CPD To Do?
When you decide what kind of CPD you would like to do, we suggest you consider how the CPD activity will enhance and promote your work as a practitioner and how you can demonstrate that.
Here are some questions you may like to ask yourself to guide you in your decision:
- What do I need to learn to improve the therapy I provide to my clients?
- How do I keep up to date with current legislation in my professional field?
- What can I learn from observing other practitioners?
- How could I improve my knowledge of my subject?
- Is there additional knowledge and /or techniques that would compliment my existing skill set?
- If I want to specialise in an area of therapy, what type of CPD would prove useful?
How Much CPD Do I Need To Do?
The professional bodies vary in their requirements for the number of hours that should be completed each year.
The following associations that validate and accredit Mind-field Training’s courses and their requirement for CPD is listed below:
- GHSC- General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHR): 25 hours
- The Hypnotherapy Society: 15 hours
- The Hypnotherapy Association : 12 hours
What Do I Need To Do Now?
CPD needs to be documented, so keeping a learning log is an ideal place to start. Recording your thoughts, insights, learning and experiences enables future planning and reflection to be much easier. Reviewing your CPD objectives is important and documenting the evidence formally shows you are actively committed to the development of your career as a practitioner.
The information you should record for your CPD log is:
- The date the CPD took place
- The number of hours for each CPD activity
- Type of activity
- The learning gained from each activity
- Your reflection on your learning
- How you plan to put your learning into practice
- Evidence of participation in the CPD activity (this may include a certificate of attendance for example)
You may wish to draw up a development record and a development plan.
