APTC - Overview

APTC - Overview

The Portuguese Association of Behaviour Therapy (APTC), formally founded on January 30, 1984, is an association of professionals interested in the application of cognitive-behavioural assumptions in health care and related fields. The APTC accomplishes numerous objectives, such as: promoting and supporting research and training in cognitive and behavioural therapies, as well as the accreditation of professionals and graduate courses; editing and disseminating of publications, information and news related to cognitive and behavioural therapy; organization and participation in congresses, conferences and scientific meetings with the aim of disseminating cognitive and behavioural therapy; and the representation and establishment of relationships with public or private institutions in the country and abroad, particularly with other similar associations.

APTC develops a set of dissemination activities, education, training and supervision in the field of cognitive and behavioural therapy. Currently, it has about three hundred members, mainly from the areas of psychology and medicine.

APTC is the Portuguese Association member of EABCT (European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies), and therefore it is responsible for the education, training and accreditation in Portugal of Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapists.

The scope of education, training and supervision in cognitive and behavioural therapy includes the therapies known as of the first generation (behavioural therapy); the second generation (cognitive therapy); and the therapies of the third generation or experiential (e.g., ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CFT - Compassion Focused Therapy, or therapies based on mindfulness).