Certification Process for Clinicians

APSATS has approved the following certification process for those clinicians who have completed the 4 day APSATS MPTM Certification Training program . Once the applicant has successfully completed the training and receives a certificate of completion of the program, the applicant will then complete the following requirements for consideration for Certification by APSATS as a Certified Clinical Partner Specialist (CCPS). Certification is designed to take place no earlier than 9 months, and must be completed within a 2 year (24 month) time period after taking the APSATS MPTM Certification Training program. Please note that these requirements are our initial requirements. We reserve the right to make changes to these requirements in the future as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.

To become certified after completion of the required training modules, an applicant will meet the following requirements:

Clinicians, CCPS Candidates: Licensed or license eligible in their state or comparable process from another country.

APSATS certification requirements have changed for clinicians!

Previously, everyone wishing to pursue certification with APSATS was required to complete 30 hours of consultation supervision with our APSATS consulting supervisors. In recognition of the changing landscape of our field, and the increased awareness of partner trauma within other training organizations, the APSATS Board of Directors has made the decision to adjust our certification consultation requirements for clinical professionals.

Consultation Hour Requirements:

APSATS new clinical consultation supervision requirements, as from 1/10/2025, will be as follows:

• For licensed clinicians: 20 hours
• For CSAT's: 15 hours
• For CPTT's: 10 hours
  

*Please note that in all cases, 10 hours of consultation supervision must still be completed with a primary consultation supervisor. The number of consultation supervision hours required for clinical certification is the only change to our certification policy, all other requirements remain the same

Clinical Application Requirements: 

• Download and fill out the CCPS Certification Application
• Verification of 125 hours of face-to-face therapy with partners of sex addicts and/or couples (application)
• Primary Consultation Supervisor Evaluation (Appendix A)
• Consultation Supervisor Verification (Appendix B)
• Provide two Professional References (Appendix C) This excludes your APSATS Supervisors
• Additional Work History (Appendix D) (if applicable)
• Complete written case study (see Appendix E)
• List of professional affiliations
• Professional Headshot
• Copy of your license
• Proof of liability insurance
• Up to date resume or curriculum vitae
• Proof of completion of required APSATS training (MPTM 4 Day Training)
  
• Payment of a $200 application fee ( online payment )

You can download a copy of the application when you are close to meeting these requirements and are ready to apply for certification.

Please send all documents as separate files, but together in one email to [email protected].  Once received, we will notify you upon submission to the review committee. This process can take up to a few weeks after receipt of your completed packet. 

FAQ’s:
Q - I already did more hours than I need, what does that mean for me?

A - Talk to your primary supervisor and start your application for certification today!

Q - I trained within the last 2 years but didn't get certified, what do I need to do? 

A - Choose a primary consultation supervisor and get started! You can review certification requirements here.

Q - Do I still need a primary consultation supervisor? 

A - Yes - that part hasn't changed, you must complete 10 hours with a primary consultation supervisor.

Q - I took the MPTM training over 2 years ago, can I get straight into supervision? 

A - If you are CSAT or CPTT and have taken MPTM in the last 3 years, you may begin the certification process immediately by choosing a primary consultation supervisor and getting started. If you are a licensed clinician without a CSAT or CPTT designation and if the 2 year certification period has elapsed since you took the training, you will need to re-take the MPTM training before pursuing certification. You may receive a 75% discount on your registration and can then enter consultation supervision to pursue certification.

IF you are a Betrayed Partner or a Sex Addict in recovery:

We recognize that some of the clinicians and coaches who work in the field of helping betrayed partners, are recovering sex addicts themselves and/or partners who have been betrayed. It is this real-life experience with their own recoveries that adds additional compassion and expertise to the work they do. At the same time, we recognize that these clinicians and coaches have a responsibility to both themselves and their clients to consistently assess how their past experiences may be impacting their current work. Therefore, APSATS has developed a set of guidelines for those we certify as Certified Clinical Partner Specialists and Certified Partner Coaches. Click here to read our guidelines.