Surrogate Partner Certification and Full Membership

Please send your completed application to IPSA membership chairperson or to IPSA (address below)

1. Personal Evolution Essay
A description of your personal evolution in the areas of sexuality and relationships.
Considering the following questions will help you get started writing your personal evolution essay: What was the constellation and value system of your family of origin? What happened in your early years? What life experiences have shaped you? changed you? and informed you about yourself? How have your relationships begun and ended? What is your current experience of physical and emotional intimacy?

Understanding that we are asking for very personal information, the membership committee wishes to assure applicants for membership that personal information is handled respectfully and confidentially.

2. Complete description of your training
Where were you trained and by whom? If you were not trained by IPSA please provide a complete description of your training—this should include an outline or detailed description of the content of your training; the dates of your training; the names and phone numbers or addresses of your trainers. Please describe the length of your training (number of hours over how many days, etc.), the nature of the training, and include a copy of any certificates of completion, evaluation or verification that you have received. IPSA trainees must list the dates of their training and internships, and the names of all their trainers and mentors. The IPSA Training Coordinator will provide the membership comittee with a report regarding former trainee’s completion of training and internship.

3. Letter of intent
Answer all the following questions:
– Why do you want to be a member of IPSA?
– How much actual experience do you have as a surrogate partner?
(number of cases over how many years?)
– With what kinds of clients do you prefer to work?
– With what types of clients are you most successful?
– Do you always work in conjunction with therapist?
– What other work and educational experiences have you had that
contribute to your skills as a professional surrogate partner?

4. Submit a $50.00 check payable to IPSA, for your first year of membership.

5. Letters of Recommendation from two professionals who are familiar with your work as a surrogate partner.

After all materials have been received, the membership committee will review your completed application and will contact you to set up an interview and/or to request additional information from you. Then the membership chairperson will submit a summary of your application to a vote of the current IPSA voting members.