Glossary
Official glossary of terms, definitions of membership levels, specialisations and standards of the Psychosocial Counselling Association.
Important Legal Disclaimer
The Association’s certifications are competency-based and private. They do not constitute a licence or authorisation to practise regulated professions or to provide healthcare services.
Brand & Key Terms
Psychosocial Counselling Association
Official name of the organization associating professionals in the field of psychosocial counselling, ensuring ethical and substantive standards.
PCA
Acronym used to identify the organization in formal and less official communication.
Psychosocial Counsellor
Professional title confirming competencies in providing psychosocial support, distinct from a clinical therapist or psychotherapist.
CPD – Continuing Professional Development
System (internationally known as CPD) ensuring that members constantly update their knowledge and skills through training and supervision.
Certification & Membership Committee
Internal body responsible for verifying candidates' qualifications and awarding membership levels.
Membership Levels
TDP Candidate (Student)
Entry level for those in training or recent graduates preparing for full certification.
TDP Psychosocial Counsellor – Level 1
Basic certification level confirming competence for independent work with clients under supervision.
TDP Psychosocial Counsellor – Level 2
Advanced level for experienced counsellors with documented practice and further training.
TDP Psychosocial Counsellor – Level 3
Expert level for counsellors holding mentoring and coordinating roles, with extensive experience.
TDP Psychosocial Counsellor – Level 4
Highest level, involving leaders setting standards, conducting research, and publishing.
Specialisations & Areas of Practice
Youth & young adults support
Help with adolescence issues, identity, and entering adulthood.
Social skills & communication
Training in assertiveness, relationship building, and effective communication.
Emotion regulation & resilience
Techniques for coping with stress, anger, and difficult emotions.
Wellbeing & healthy routines
Promotion of healthy lifestyle, sleep, and work-life balance.
Educational & school counselling
Support for learning difficulties and educational path choices.
Career & professional development counselling
Career planning, career change, and competence development.
Workplace wellbeing
Preventing burnout and coping with workplace stress.
Relationships support & conflict resolution
Mediation and support in building healthy interpersonal relationships.
Post-breakup & life transitions support
Help in adapting to new life situations and relational losses.
Online practice & digital safety
Ethical and safe provision of support in the digital environment.
Intercultural & migration support
Support for people in the acculturation process and with migration experience.
Creative methods (expression, metaphor)
Using art, metaphor, and expression in helping work.
Crisis intervention & stabilisation
Psychological first aid and stabilisation in emergencies.
Family & parenting support
Supporting parenting competencies and family system functioning.
Group work & workshops
Facilitation of group processes and conducting workshop activities.
Grief & loss support
Accompanying in the grieving process after loss of loved ones or important values.
Habit change & harm reduction support
Working on behavior change and reducing negative consequences of risky actions.
Neurodiversity support (neuroaffirming)
Supporting neuroatypical people in a way that affirms their specificity.
Older adults & carers support
Actions for seniors and support for their caregivers.
Community work & social projects
Community work and organizing projects for local communities.
Support coordination & systemic work
Coordinating multi-faceted support and working with systems (family, school).
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Collaboration with doctors, lawyers, and other specialists.
Psychoeducation program design
Creating original educational and preventive programs.
Professional development mentoring
Supporting the professional development of junior counsellors.
Standards & ethics leader
Responsibility for shaping the organization's ethical standards.
Research, publications & knowledge development
Conducting research and publishing scientific papers in the field of counselling.
Standards & Central Register
Standards & Central Register
Foundation of TDP service quality
Professional Ethics
Set of rules regulating the counsellor's work.
Continuing Education (Active CPD)
Requirement for active qualification improvement.
Active CPD
Status of a member actively completing training hours.
Passive CPD
Status of a member with a break in training hours.
Central Register
Publicly available database of certified TDP members.
Register entry
Confirmation of membership credentials.
Member Area
Access to internal organization resources.
Join Process
Submit an application
Filling out the online application form.
Formal verification
Document check by the Committee.
Membership fee
Payment of the annual membership fee.
Register entry & welcome
Addition to the register and access to benefits.
Valid until 31 March
Membership validity period in a given year.
Pricing & Statuses
Membership Levels
Student
Registration
Entry fee
Membership renewal
Certificate maintenance
Professional advancement