About Cosrt

COSRT is the UK’s only professional body dedicated to Psychosexual and Relationship Therapies. Set up over 40 years ago, the organisation has been at the forefront of developing these specialised disciplines.

As a registered charity, COSRT’s work is focused on providing benefit to the public.  This is enshrined in the organisation’s charitable objectives to set and monitor professional standards, provide and support training, and promote research.

What we do

COSRT works to ensure that specialised therapy professions are based on the best standards possible.  These specialities are integrated Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy (PRT), and focused Relationship Therapy (RT). As professional practice is improved through our activities, so the public are better protected and can achieve better outcomes.  The fact that we only work with and for these specialities means our resource and expertise is channeled to maximise impact.

Our Vision is that…everyone can access high quality Psychosexual and Relationship Therapies regardless of their background or context.

And our Mission is…to improve knowledge around psychosexual and relationship issues, increase practice and training standards, and shape effective policy.

Our strategy highlights areas where things have to change:

• Understanding of psychosexual and relationship issues must improve.
• Sexual and related issues should be integral to health and social care.
• Training and practice standards must be stringent.
• Psychosexual and relationship issues should be part of socioeconomic policy.

And our work programme addresses these through key activities including:

• Setting and monitoring professional standards for Psychosexual and Relationship Therapists including our public Register and rigorous conduct procedures.
• Delivering and accrediting specialist training including seminars, self access courses, and professional qualifications.
• Building a robust evidence base on what works in therapy through academic research and the international Journal of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.
• Disseminating high-quality advice and guidance to the public and other stakeholders.

Across the website you will also find practical suggestions  and advice for people who feel their personal relationships might need some help;  as well as information for professional therapists and others who want to take advantage of the training, conferences and professional networking opportunities we offer.

Our Find a Therapist tool allows members of the public to find COSRT Members providing therapy services they need.  All members must abide by our Code of Ethics and the performance of Members is regularly monitored, so the public can have confidence in their abilities and professionalism.

More information on our membership structure and how to join.

More information on the specialities we support.

Meet Cosrt

Steve Johnson – Chairperson

COSRT is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the organisation.  Appointments are made by Membership vote. The current Chairperson of the Board is Steve Johnson.

A COSRT Member, Steve leads the Board and its work in close collaboration with the CEO. Steve’s career has seen him work at the core of the therapy sector, developing and implementing insurance processes for therapists. As well as that, he has been involved in committees dealing with standards and conduct within therapy organisations, and has been a trustee of StopSO.

Trustees

The COSRT Board is made up of a mix of COSRT Members and Laypeople. Bringing together complementary skills and knowledge, the Trustees ensure the organisation is well run and works to achieve its aims and objectives. The current Board is: 

• Tim Blackstone (COSRT Member)
• Dana Braithwaite (COSRT Member)
• David Edwards
• Steve Johnson (Chair of the Board)
• Murray Blacket (COSRT Member)
• Cate Campbell (COSRT Member)
• Imelda Hatton-Yeo (COSRT Member)
• Lohani Noor (COSRT Member)
• Markie Twist (COSRT Member)
• Hazel Wright

Patrons