Background
Since 2021, we have been working on the development of an accreditation procedure for Method of Levels practitioners. Our objective is to shape the procedure according to Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) principles and provide a way that MoL therapists and practitioners all over the world can develop, test and prove their proficiency in Method of Levels conversations. This project answers a need expressed by practitioners to obtain an MoL licence to help their own professional development and be acknowledged among their peers. Having such a procedure will also increase MoL’s professional profile. We operate under the umbrella of the IAPCT.
The project is a collaboration between Eva de Hullu (Open Universiteit, the Netherlands), Warren Mansell (Curtin University, Perth, Australia) and Ana Churchman (Manchester University, UK) with the help of students and other collaborators. Eva’s student Pauline Tieleman will be working on this project throughout 2023. We will need to do the same process for our own accreditation as any new candidates. We will also be looking to identify an independent evaluator of our accreditation system who has experience accrediting other therapies.
After an extensive process of consultation and adaptation, we are now (spring 2023) ready to test the first candidates. With your help, we aim to accredit the first 10 candidates over the course of 2023, to kick start the process and to evaluate our current procedures thoroughly. We aim to further professionalise the process in 2024. For this first round starting at the end of May 2023, we will need people to take the roles of both candidate – submitting one’s own recordings – and reviewer – evaluating candidates’ submissions. We will ask candidates to review in the next round, and vice versa. We will first aim at candidates secure in their MoL proficiency.
Short outline of the procedure
Candidates submit three recordings of MoL conversations (min 10 min/max 60 min) of 3 different clients, together with the report for each recording. Both candidate and clients provide consent for the use of the recordings in the accreditation procedure, scientific research and/or education.
The candidate evaluates the recordings using a structured candidate form for application. This form includes an introduction of the candidate’s background and a structured evaluation of and reflection on each case submitted.
The candidate:
- Uses the MOLFI to rate the aspects of the four MoL dimensions (control, explore, notice and sustain) for each recording.
- Rates the overall scores on these dimensions as well as reorganisation for each recording.
- Evaluates their skill of the CENS dimensions (Control, Explore, Notice and Sustain) of the MOLFI and reorganisation showing proper understanding of Perceptual Control Theory (PCT).
- Includes client feedback on all recorded sessions.
- Reflects on each MoL session, defines what went well and what was difficult and describes what is learned.
- Provides an overall conclusion
Each candidate is reviewed by 2 reviewers, selected by the IAPCT accreditation committee.
During the pilot phase, participants rotate in the role of candidate and reviewer. Ideally we have 5 or more practitioners per language, so that reviewers and candidates will not mutually judge each other.
Both reviewers will review 2 recordings + reports:
- Case 1 → reviewer 1
- Case 2 → reviewer 1 + 2
- Case 3 → reviewer 2
The reviewer:
- Watches two recordings of the candidates, takes notes and rates the session using the MOLFI. Please note that what matters is the quality of the facilitation, not the outcome of the reorganisation process. Feedback is provided in the structured review form provided by the Accreditation Committee.
- Reviews the candidate’s report on each case and judges the quality of the evaluation and reflection, using a structured review form.
- Reviews the candidate’s general report and provides feedback.
- Judges whether accreditation should be granted and advises the Accreditation Committee on this decision.
The reviewer form is constructed to ensure that the candidate’s application will be evaluated in a similar way by all reviewers. The form provides a structured way to review each case and subsequently conclude whether accreditation should be granted. The IAPCT will decide on accreditation after receiving both reviewer forms. In case of disagreement between the two reviewers, a suitable follow-up will be discussed.
Confidentiality
The reviewer is not anonymous (please note this changed during our pilot) to the candidate. The reviewer declares that they will treat the material provided for this review as confidential and that they have no conflict of interest in reviewing the candidate.
Materials are shared through the service of an encrypted storage provider (sync.com). A personal link is provided at the start of the application.
Costs
In this pilot phase we want to provide accreditation free of cost to candidates and we depend on the volunteer work of committee members and reviewers. IAPCT will pay for the costs of the data storage. After the pilot phase, we may decide to ask candidates for a fee to cover these costs.
Getting Started
Contact us through mol@iapct.org if you want to be part of this accreditation pilot as candidate and/or reviewer. Please also indicate if you wish to be part of the accreditation committee of the IAPCT to take care of parts of this process now and in the future. You will receive more detailed information and a copy of all the relevant materials once you apply to be a candidate or reviewer.