2026: So, I am now 78 …. and I retired from paid working in NHS clinics in Edinburgh every week a couple of years ago (which has allowed me to claim my Superannuation (lump sum and monthly pension).
I am still involved with a couple of major psychotherapy associations (UKCP & the EAP), but hope to step out of these within the next 2 years
However, I also write, edit, and publish in the various fields of psychotherapy that I am involved with, and do lots of other things in that line of work.
Whilst all the political 'aspects' within all the various psychotherapy associations that I have been involved with has been a major part of my life over the last 30-40 years, and whilst it has all been mostly very rewarding (though also very stressful at times), I trust that I have given as much good as I have received.
I have travelled a lot (possibly too much); met some wonderful people; had some great meals with good friends in a variety of European cities; got angry occasionally; got despairing at times; striven hard and played hard; corrected numerous drafts and texts of masses of documents; and achieved (perhaps) a little in the wider scheme of things.
I was very heavily engaged in one project within the European Association for Psychotherapy (2010-2013) which was to establish the professional competencies of a European psychotherapist! But, that completed in 2013, so ... (politically speaking) that seemed to be it for the moment. I finished off "The Handbook of Body Psychotherapy & Somatic Psychology" in 2015. However, I still see clients and do a lot of editing work.
Whilst the political 'aspect' with all the various psychotherapy associations that I have been involved with has been a major part of my life over the last 20 years, and whilst it has all been mostly very rewarding (though also very stressful at times), I trust that I have given as much as I have received. I have travelled a lot (possibly too much); met some wonderful people; had some great meals with good friends in a variety of European cities; got angry at times; got despairing at times; striven hard and played hard; corrected drafts and texts of numerous documents; and achieved (perhaps) a little in the wider scheme of things. I was heavily engaged in one project within the EAP: to establish the professional competencies of a European psychotherapist! But, that completed in 2013, so ... (politically speaking) that may be it for the moment. I finished off "The Handbook of Body Psychotherapy & Somatic Psychology" in 2015. However, I still see clients and do a lot of editing work.
Courtenay Young is 'registered' as a UKCP psychotherapist, as a Direct Member. In the past, he has been very active within the UKCP; in the early days, as a representative of a Member Organisation, on the Training Standards Committee, as a member of the Humanistic & Integrative Section (HIPS), and (for a couple of years) on the Board as UKCP Treasurer. In 2007, he was also UKCP Vice-President (Members Services) for a short while. He is a Direct Member of UKCP through the HIP College. He recently became a Trustee of the UKCP in the Spring of 2023 and so, this is now the 3rd time that he has been on the UKCP Board. You can find out more details about the UKCP from their website, here.
The Chiron Association for Body Psychotherapy is an accrediting organisation for UK Body Psychotherapists. It also became the UK national organisation of EABP (see below). Courtenay Young was a registered member of this association, but felt increasingly dissatisfied with the politics within the organisation. Courtenay resigned from CABP in about 2016. However, you can find out more details about CABP from their website, here.
Initially, Courtenay represented EABP at the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) meetings for about 12 years until July 2007, and he has been on the Governing Board of the EAP, the Training Standards Committee, helped draft the European Certificate for Psychotherapy (ECP) document, and - in his role as Chairperson of the Statutes Committee - helped make many amendments to the EAP Constitution. He also established the EAP's 'Statement of Ethical Principles' in 2000 and was Co-Chairperson of the Ethical Guidelines Committee for 5 years from 1999-2004. He has been awarded the European Certificate for Psychotherapy (ECP). He was elected as Co-Chairperson of the European Training Standards Committee (ETSC) 2006-8; and is still an active member of this Committee. He was the lead writer for a major project to establish the "Professional Competences of a European Psychotherapist" (www.psychotherapy-competency.eu). Since 2013, he has focussed more on establishing contacts with EU organisations like ESCO and CEPLIS. In 2023, being also a member of the EAP's Science & Research Committee (SARC), he is involved in a development of the "Competences" project, which is listing the research studies that support each of these Competences. He has been Co-Editor and is now the Editor, of the EAP's International Journal for Psychotherapy (IJP) (The website of the IJP can be found here). More details about this organisation are on the EAP website: (www.europsyche.org)
Courtenay is a founder member of the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy; has been on the Academic Council; wrote a regular column in their Newsletter "From Across The Pond" and has attended many USABP Conferences (Beveley, MA, 1996; Boulder, CO, 1998; Berkeley, CA, 2000; Baltimore, PA, 2002; Tuscon, AZ, 2005). He has contributed regularly to the USABP Journal, now the International Body Psychotherapy Journal (see here). Details about USABP can be found on their website: (www.usabp.org)
Initially, Courtenay represented EABP at the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) meetings for about 12 years until July 2007, and he has been on the Governing Board of the EAP, the Training Standards Committee, helped draft the European Certificate for Psychotherapy (ECP) document, and - in his role as Chairperson of the Statutes Committee - helped make many amendments to the EAP Constitution. He also established the EAP's 'Statement of Ethical Principles' in 2000 and was Co-Chairperson of the Ethical Guidelines Committee for 5 years from 1999-2004. He has been awarded the European Certificate for Psychotherapy (ECP). He was elected as Co-Chairperson of the European Training Standards Committee (ETSC) 2006-8; and is still an active member of this Committee. He was the lead writer for a major project to establish the "Professional Competences of a European Psychotherapist" (www.psychotherapy-competency.eu). Since 2013, he has focussed more on establishing contacts with EU organisations like ESCO and CEPLIS. In 2023, being also a member of the EAP's Science & Research Committee (SARC), he is involved in a development of the "Competences" project, which is listing the research studies that support each of these Competences. He has been Co-Editor and is now the Editor, of the EAP's International Journal for Psychotherapy (IJP) (The website of the IJP can be found here). More details about this organisation are on the EAP website: (www.europsyche.org)
For several years (2004-23), Courtenay has also been a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Details about BPS can be found on their website: (www.bps.org.uk)
For 7 years, (1993-2000) Courtenay was a Director of the Moray Association for Mental Health Co. Ltd. and helped found this charitable company and set up the administrative and financial structures to run six projects in Morayshire, involving over 200 people with mental health issues, and an annual turnover of more than £300,000. It has changed, now calling itself, Moray Mental Health. They are a part of a community resource centre, Moray Resource Centre, in conjunction with Moray Council. Their Convener's Newsletter for Christmas 2014 is here.
Courtenay was also involved with setting up the New Findhorn Association (NFA) in about 1998-2000, and he helped to write the "Common Ground" statement of values; set up some of the Member Organisations; and the membership database; and also the original NFA website. Details about the NFA can be found on their website: (www.findhorn.cc)
Courtenay was involved with re-establishing a group of about 75 Complementary Healthcare practitioners in the Scottish Borders. He works occasionally at "Complete Health Borders" a complementary therapy centre (in Galashiels: see here). More details about Borders Therapies can be found on their website: (www.borderstherapies.co.uk)
For over 20 years (1986-2008), Courtenay was heavily involved with the Association of Humanistic Psychology Practitioners (AHPP) - in many different capacities. Sadly, in about 2007-8, there was a rather difficult parting of the ways. Details about AHPP can be found on their website: (www.ahpp.org)