Pathway to become an AEDP Certified Supervisor
The Supervisor Certification pathway is a two-phase process:
Become a Supervisor-in-Training → Graduate to become an AEDP Certified Supervisor
Become a Supervisor-in-Training
Eligibility
To apply for the AEDP Supervisor-in-Training Track, applicants must be AEDP Certified Therapists for at least one year and meet the following requirements within the year prior to applying.
Experiential Assisting
- You must have assisted in at least one Immersion and three ES1 modules, with positive feedback from both participants and Lead Assistants.
- By the time you apply for full Supervisor Certification, you must also have assisted at least three additional times with positive reviews and completed one additional AEDP-related activity.
Notes for non-English-speaking candidates or challenging time zones:
You may complete an equivalent amount of assisting in Institute-recognized training, supervision groups, or Core Training, online or in person, with positive feedback. Contact the AEDP Certification Committee to discuss alternatives if needed.
Reading Requirement
You must have read Supervision Essentials of AEDP by Natasha Prenn and Diana Fosha.
Supervisors of Supervision
- You must identify two Supervisors of Supervision, at least one of whom must be AEDP Faculty, who agree to supervise you through the Supervisor Certification process.
- You are encouraged to work with at least one supervisor you have not worked with before. If you choose otherwise, explain your reasons in the application.
Supervisor responsibilities:
- Provide a minimum of ten hours of supervision of your videotaped supervision sessions (there is no maximum).
- Complete and submit the joint application form to AEDP Administrator Carolyn Fitzgerald, who will forward it to the Certification Review Board after verifying assisting hours.
- Evaluate your progress and provide honest feedback using the AEDP supervision rubric.
- One of the two supervisors will also help prepare and review your Culminating Project before submission.
Application Submission Process
- Submit your Supervisor-in-Training application to Carolyn Fitzgerald, AEDP Administrator responsible for certification.
- She will verify:
a) Experiential assisting hours and participant feedback
b) Lead EA letters
c) Any required documentation from your licensing board or insurer (if applicable)
Once verified, your application will be forwarded to the Supervisor Certification Review Board.
The Board will review your application and either contact you with questions or, if approved, formally welcome you as an AEDP Supervisor-in-Training.
Upon approval:
- Your name, photo, and bio will be added to the Supervisor webpage
- Your email will be added to the Supervisor-in-Training directory and the Google Groups: findasupervisor@aedpinstitute.org and Supervisors-in-Training@aedpinstitute.org
Important Notes
- Supervisors-in-Training may provide supervision to therapists at any level.
- Maximum of 10 total supervision hours (from one or multiple Supervisors-in-Training) may be applied toward AEDP Level Three supervision requirements.
- Additional supervision beyond these 10 hours is encouraged for learning and consultation but does not count toward Level Three requirements or Certification.
- Supervisors-in-Training may not serve as Certification Supervisors for Level Three therapists seeking certification.
Graduate to become an AEDP Certified Supervisor
Timeframe:
Certification as an AEDP Supervisor typically occurs approximately two years after becoming a Supervisor-in-Training, though it may take longer depending on individual pace and readiness.
1. Supervision of Supervision
- Complete a minimum of 20 hours, with at least 10 hours with each Supervisor of Supervision.
- At least one supervisor must be AEDP Faculty.
- No maximum hours—receive as many as needed to reach certification readiness.
2. Experiential Assisting
- Complete:
- 1 Immersion
- 5 ES1 modules
- 1 Advanced Skills Module (ASM)
- The Immersion and three ES1 modules are required to apply to Supervisor-in-Training.
3. Additional AEDP Activity
Complete one AEDP-related professional activity, such as:
- Guest presentation
- Regional engagement
- Participation in AEDP research
- Writing a Transformance Journal article or other publication
- Presenting a Clinicians’ Corner
- Teaching
- Another AEDP-approved contribution
4. Written Recommendations
Obtain a written recommendation from each Supervisor of Supervision confirming your readiness for certification.
5. Culminating Project
Submit recorded supervision and a microanalysis demonstrating all seven Certification Rubric elements
- AEDP Supervisory Stance must be evident in all material.
Video Requirements:
- One or two unedited video clips from one or two supervision sessions
- Each clip: 15–25 minutes
- Total time: 30–50 minutes
- Must include supervision of a recorded therapy session:
Recorded material allows the Review Board to directly observe clinical interventions, moment-to-moment process, and the application of AEDP principles in practice. Supervision based solely on supervisee report tends to be more general and focused on subjective experience, relational dynamics, and attachment themes as perceived by the supervisee, rather than on what can be seen, heard, and evaluated in the clinical interaction itself. For this reason, recorded sessions are essential for an accurate, detailed, and fair assessment of supervisory and clinical compete
Microanalysis Options:
- Written: time-stamped transcript with analysis
- 60 – 75 minute zoom video recording of an oral presentation where you present your microanalysis of the screen-shared video recorded session(s) to one of your supervisors. (with or without supervisor present in the video)
- Clearly reference and “check off” each element of the Certification Rubric during your discussion. Refer to the section on noting your skills
6. Submission Process
- Email carolynf@aedpinstitute.org when ready
- Upload via Dropbox:
- Culminating Project
- Two recommendation letters
- Updated Experiential Assisting hours
- Original Supervisor-in-Training application
- $300 application fee applies (invoice via Stripe or PayPal)
7. Review and Certification
- Certification Review Board meets quarterly, click here for the schedule to make sure you submit your package on time
- If approved, you will:
- Receive a letter and certificate
- Be announced to the AEDP community listserv
- Be added to the Certified Supervisors webpage
- Be added to the Supervisors Google Group
Advanced Skills Module Note:
- Typically, 10 ES1 assists are required before assisting in an ASM
- Exceptions may be requested if needed sooner
-Michael Mondoro-