Masters in Systemic Psychotherapy (ref. M6)
This was the first family therapy training course in the UK and has been running continuously since 1975.
Who is this course for?
• Aimed at professionals who have experience of working systemically with families and individuals.
• You must hold a professional qualification in social work, psychology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, nursing or an allied discipline and usually a good honours degree.
• You should have completed or have had the equivalent of an intermediate level systems/family therapy training and be working with families in a therapeutic setting during the time you are on the course.
• Intended for experienced practitioners who wish to become qualified systemic/family psychotherapists and systemic teachers.
Aims
Develop clinical practice through live supervision with appropriate time for discussion and feedback.
Content/Teaching components
Each trainee is assigned to a clinical supervision group consisting of a staff supervisor and 4 trainees who meet for 4-5 hours per week over 4 terms.
The academic component of the course is organised into two-day blocks which will take place once a month at the Tavistock Centre on Thursday and Friday.
Clinical Work
The aim of the clinical work is to train course members to use a range of therapeutic approaches, based on systemic principles, with individuals, couples and, primarily, families.
Supervision of Agency Work
The aim of the work is to enable the development of trainee’s skills in their work place and to think about the effect of their training and development on relationships within their agency
Theoretical Seminars
The aim is to consider and extend trainees understanding of the development of theoretical concepts in the systemic psychotherapy field
Personal and Professional Development
Personal and professional development is explored by focusing on the role of a therapist and the way personal development and different settings affect therapeutic work.
Research Teaching
Research is an increasingly valued aspect of systemic work. The aim of the research seminars is to help trainees develop a research ‘frame of mind’.
Teaching Practice
Trainees are expected to provide ongoing teaching or training for other professionals in systemic thinking and practice.
Tutorials
In addition to the tutorial groups which will have a primarily academic function, all course members are allocated an individual tutor.
The aim is to support the trainee in all aspects of their learning on the course and to review any problems or obstacles to course participation that maybe encountered.
Some examples of lecture titles:
The Challenge of Post-Structuralism and Narrative Approaches to Therapy
Professional Power and the Social Construction of Meaning in Families
Mental Health and Medication
Diversity in Family Forms
Assessment
Assessment of academic work consists of:
a. Theoretical paper: 4,000 words
b. Research essay: 3,500 words
c. Dissertation: 10-15,000 words
Assessment of clinical work is done on the basis of:
a. Supervisors report based on continuous assessment and a trainees self assessment.
Years I and 2.
b. Presentation of video material to a panel of supervisors at the end of years 1 and 2.
Student feedback
“I have been really impressed by the variety and scope of the teaching."
"I don't think I have ever felt so enthusiastic about studying.”
“I have been struck at how well chosen the reading has been."
"I think the combination of large and small groups, lectures, discussions and role-play is really well balanced.”
Professional accreditation
This is a multidisciplinary course that leads to qualification as a family/systemic therapist and is accredited by the Association of Family Therapy and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.
Leads to eligibility for membership of the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists, Systemic Family Psychotherapist Division.
Applicants may go on to register for the Professional Doctorate in Systemic Psychotherapy (Ref. M10).
Time commitment
Half day per week clinical supervision in London or regional base, 2 day teaching blocks each month in London, 2 mornings per term personal/professional development, and several days per year for multidisciplinary training events.
Entry requirement
Prerequisites for applicants to the course:
i. A university degree or, in some cases, an equivalent professional qualification.
ii. Candidates are normally expected to have a professional qualification in the field of psychiatry, psychotherapy, counselling, educational or clinical psychology, family therapy, nursing, social work, teaching or occupational therapy.
iii. Successful completion of an introductory and intermediate level course in family therapy and/or systemic approaches.
iv. Employment or placement in a work setting which enables the applicant to practice systemic psychotherapy while attending the course for at least 100 hours per year. To this end we can help candidates find placements if necessary.
v. Some systemic supervision in placement or workplace. The course may be able to help arrange this if it is not readily available.
APEL – Advanced Prior Experiential Learning
1. CV that demonstrates that applicant meets equivalence of AFT Foundation and Intermediate level training requirements
2. An essay of no more than 3,500 words discussing and critiquing a systemic model or theory with illustrations from cases
3. A case study of a piece of work undertaken by the applicant of no more than 2,000 words, to include the context of the work, an analysis of the work including hypotheses, a genogram and person professional development issues
Course Readings and Access to Library Resources
When you begin your course you will be issued with an online study pack which you can access via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle. Having a study pack means most of your key course readings for the whole year will be available to you simply by logging onto your Moodle course page. You can then print off the readings as you require them. Our students find this resource invaluable and it means you can have 24/7 access to your readings. Readings that are not included in your study pack can be obtained from the Library once you have enrolled with the Library at the end of September.
The Tavistock and Portman Library is nationally recognised as a leading UK therapeutic resource. For more information about our library follow the link www.tavi-port.org/library
