SIMHA is a professional organization and not a licensing body.

SIMHA members have achieved a high standard of professional competence in their chosen fields.

Members of SIMHA are expected to practice in accordance with the highest standards as set forth in the SIMHA Code of Ethics and the member’s respective discipline’s Code of Ethics.

(a) All members agree to support the mission and objectives and participate in the activities of SIMHA as they are able.

(b) All applicants for membership are required to pledge to abide by the SIMHA Code of Ethics, as a condition of membership, and are subject to its provisions, as a condition of membership.

(c) All Members and applicants for Membership are required to make full disclosure of credentials in their initial and renewal applications as needed to substantiate qualifications for membership and clinical practice, and to inform SIMHA of any relevant changes in credentials. This disclosure shall include relevant professional education, special training and experience, documented by resume and copies of diplomas or transcripts, certifications, licenses, etc., as necessary, to verify qualification for membership and clinical practice, and shall include any history of loss of licensure or other disciplinary action, including any pending professional reviews or actions to limit practice. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant or member to so inform SIMHA. Any misrepresentation of credentials shall be cause for denial of, or removal from,  membership.

Clinical Membership

Clinical Members must have:

1)  A Master’s Degree or higher, or equivalent professional training, in a field of clinical mental health from an institution which is recognized by a regional or national accreditation body. Such training should include both theoretical courses in the specific mental health field and supervised clinical work experience.

2)  Have completed at least two years of full-time well-supervised post-master’s clinical experience in their field (or equivalent) defined as:  2,500 contact hours of clinical experience including at least 250 hours of direct supervision with the appropriate discipline.

3) Active licensure/registration for clinical practice in the country of training for their field of practice, if such licensure or registration with a relevant authority is required to practice clinically.

4)  Clinical Members must reside in Shanghai as evidenced by 1) possession of non-tourist visa, and 2) presence in, and availability to serve, the Shanghai International community a minimum of eight (8) months per year.

  • *Please outline the criteria for and method of becoming eligible for registration or obtaining a license in your mental health profession/s in your home country.
  • *Please include website addresses of your licensing board for reference.
  • *Please outline how specifically your qualification meets the academic requirements for Clinical Membership.

*Please outline how specifically you meet the supervision requirements for Clinical Membership.

Associate Members

Associate Members must have:

1) Master’s Degree or higher, or equivalent professional training, in a field of clinical mental health from an institution which is recognized by a regional or national accreditation body but not eligible for Clinical Membership due to insufficient contact/supervision hours. Such training should include both theoretical courses in the specific mental health field and supervised clinical work experience.

OR

2)  (i) Bachelor’s degree in a field of clinical practice, if permitted to practice with a Bachelor’s degree in country or state of training, (ii) Licensed for clinical practice in the country or state of training for their field of practice at the Bachelor’s level if such licensure is available, (iii) Able to document ten (10) years’ supervised full-time post-baccalaureate clinical practice.

3) Associate Members must reside in Shanghai as evidenced by 1) possession of non-tourist visa, and 2) presence in, and availability to serve, the Shanghai International community a minimum of eight (8) months per year.

  • *Please outline the criteria for and method of becoming eligible for registration or obtaining a license in your mental health profession/s in your home country.
  • *Please include website addresses of your licensing board for reference.
  • *Please outline how specifically you are eligible for Associate Membership.
  • *Please outline specifically what type of supervision you are currently receiving and with whom.
4) Associate Members must provide reasonable evidence of supervision received (as is suggested by their regional or national accreditation body referenced in item “c-1” above) for the clinical work they have been, and are, engaged in for the duration of clinical practice in Shanghai.

Student Members

Student members must be:

Graduate and undergraduate students in mental health fields of clinical practice are eligible for Student Membership status.