When our customers need to see a mental health therapist, we offer them a choice from our specialist network.
If you'd like to join the network, find out more about the benefits to your practice, and recognition criteria below:
What we offer you
Bupa recognition can help you build and promote your practice. The benefits include:
- access to a large share of the health insurance market
- raising the profile of your practice through your personal page on Finder, our online directory of Bupa recognised healthcare professionals and healthcare services, which is used by our customers, GPs and the public and receives around 100,000 visits a week
- access to our Providers Online website and other online resources to make running your private practice simple and straightforward.
Entry criteria
Each therapist in a practice needs to be recognised individually. To become Bupa recognised, therapists need to:
- hold accreditation with the professional bodies relative to your speciality:
- Psychology – Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Counselling and Psychotherapy – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or The National Counselling Society (NCS).
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
- Family therapy – have dual accreditation from the AFT and UKCP/BACP
- have a clean record with the relevant professional or regulatory body. If you’ve previously undergone hearings or investigations we will need further information to process your application (please see the additional information section below which explains what we will need from you in order to consider your application)
- Have at least three years’ post qualification experience in full time practice or five years’ experience if in part-time practice (minimum of two working days per week)
- adhere to supervision guidelines and provide a reference from your supervisor (PDF, 0.1MB)
- have in place current indemnity insurance up to the amount advised by your professional or regulatory body, and attach a copy of your insurance certificate to your application
- have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (UK, Wales and Channel Islands), and have the appropriate child or adult barring list check, relevant to patients to be treated. An AccessNI enhanced certificate or AccessNI basic if self employed (Northern Ireland), or a Disclosure Scotland enhanced disclosure or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) (Scotland) record check that was completed within the three years before applying for Bupa recognition
- submit all invoices to Bupa online for eligible treatment for our customers, receive payment from Bupa via BACs, and not send invoices to our customers
You’ll also need to supply photographic proof of identity. The proof of identity form (PDF, 0.1MB) explains which documents you can use as proof of identity.
Additional information:
- If you’ve previously undergone investigations or hearings with any of your professional bodies please attach a copy of any correspondence with them about the investigation in step 2.
- If you’ve told us about any declarations, convictions or previous suspensions please attach a copy of investigation case notes and a covering letter explaining the circumstances in step 2.
Before you apply
You can apply for Bupa recognition online in three simple steps which should take less than an hour, depending on the complexity of your practice.
Before you apply, take a look at our Questions and Answers page where you can find more information about becoming Bupa recognised.
Step one
Step two
Step three
Please review the terms and conditions
If you apply for Bupa recognition, we’ll take it that you agree to the terms and conditions for joining the Bupa Mental Health and Wellbeing Therapist Network (PDF, 261KB).
Confidentiality Guidelines
We’ll only use the information that you submit to us as part of this process for the purposes of this application, and in our ongoing relationship in the event that you become Bupa recognised.
We’ve indicated in the application form which information may be shared with Bupa customers on our website and through other media.
You have the opportunity to give your permission for this as you complete the application form.
Gather the documents you need
You’ll find it easier to complete your application if you have the following information to hand:
your professional qualifications
the clinical conditions you treat and therapeutic approach you routinely use
your supervisor’s details
name and address of your therapy room(s)/practice
a completed reference from your supervisor on the template form provided
a copy of your enhanced DBS certificate, AccessNI enhanced certificate, AccessNI basic if self employed or Disclosure Scotland enhanced disclosure or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) record check
a copy of your current indemnity insurance certificate
your photographic proof of identity and completed Proof of Identity form
Apply online
We’ll send you an on screen message to confirm we’ve received your completed application. Once we’ve received your application and supporting documents, we’ll process them. We aim to get back to you within five working days, but in busy periods it may take longer.
Your recognition begins on the day you’re added to Bupa’s list of recognised therapists; please don’t start treating Bupa patients until you’ve received our email confirming that your application is complete. We’re unable to fund any services provided to Bupa patients before that.
