Becoming an AEDP® Certified Therapist
AEDP® Therapist Certification recognizes clinicians who have demonstrated competence in the practice of AEDP through advanced training, supervision, and the successful review of their clinical work. The certification process is designed to support your continued professional growth while promoting excellence and consistency in AEDP practice.
The Certification Journey
Learn the Model
Complete the required AEDP® training curriculum and achieve Level 3.
Practice with Support
Strengthen your clinical skills through supervision while integrating AEDP principles into your practice.
Demonstrate Competence
Submit clinical recordings and written reflections that demonstrate your competency in applying the AEDP model.
Steps to Becoming an AEDP® Certified Therapist
Complete the required training and supervision necessary to achieve AEDP Level 3.
AEDP Levels Defined for Certification
Verify Your AEDP Level
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Choose an AEDP® Certification Supervisor (Faculty Member or Certified Supervisor) and complete a minimum of 10 additional individual supervision hours.
Work closely with your Certification Supervisor using AEDP’s 9+1 Session Scale (make a copy) to evaluate your clinical work, select your two strongest video segments for review, and prepare your certification package.
Your supervisor will help determine your readiness, sign your application, and submit a recommendation to the Certification Review Board.
Please Note: Completing 10 hours does not automatically establish readiness. Additional supervision may be recommended to ensure your strongest work is submitted.
Two-Supervisor Requirement: Candidates must have worked with at least two different eligible AEDP supervisors, with a minimum of 10 individual supervision hours with each. If you achieved Level 3 with only one supervisor, your Certification Supervisor must be someone different.
Complete your Therapist Certification Application with your Certification Supervisor. Your supervisor’s signature and commitment verification are required.
Open Therapist Certification Application — Make a Copy
Complete the application and submit it to the AEDP Certification Coordinator at carolyn.f@aedpinstitute.org.
Review the Certification Guidelines
Before preparing your submission, carefully review the complete guidelines with your Certification Supervisor. These include detailed instructions for clinical video recordings, transcripts, microanalyses, supporting materials, and the certification review process.
View or Download the Full Therapist Certification Guidelines
Review Your Clinical Work Using the 9+1 Session Scale
All certification submissions are evaluated using AEDP’s 9+1 Session Scale, which serves as the framework for assessing the clinical work demonstrated in your submitted materials.
Work closely with your Certification Supervisor to review your selected video segments using this scale and assess your readiness for certification review.
9+1 Session Scale Rating Form: Download your own copy to complete
Additional guidance is available under Tab 1 of the Certification Resources page.
Final Preparation Checklist
Before submitting your certification package, please confirm the following:
☐ All materials meet the certification guidelines.
☐ All files are clearly labeled.
☐ Video timestamps and transcripts match. Very important for reviewers to know when to start and stop
☐ Both clients’ full names have been removed from recordings.
☐ Client consent has been obtained for recording and submitting the sessions.
☐ Both video files open and play correctly.
Certification Supervisor Recommendation Letter Template
Once the recommendation is received, you will be provided with instructions and a secure Dropbox link to upload your certification package.
Once your complete certification package has been submitted, two independent reviewers will evaluate your clinical work using AEDP’s 9+1 Session Scale and certification guidelines.
The review process generally takes 8–10 weeks.
You will receive one of two outcomes:
Pass: Congratulations! You have successfully completed the review process and are an AEDP® Certified Therapist.
Resubmit: You will receive specific feedback identifying areas that need further attention. Your Certification Supervisor can help guide you through the resubmission process.
The certification process is designed to recognize clinical competence while supporting continued professional growth and development.
Supervision Information
Learn about selecting a Certification Supervisor and obtaining supervision.
Click here
Video Recording Recommendations
Guidelines and recommendations for preparing clinical recordings.
Click here
Video Recording Consent Form
Access the required client consent form for recordings.
Click here
View or Download the Full Therapist Certification Guidelines
Additional Helpful Resources
9+1 S SESSION SCALE RATING FORM (FINAL, 2026)