MSc in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy

In conjunction with Birkbeck College, University of London

Next intake: September 2010.

The Institute of Family Therapy offers an advanced clinical training in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy with an award of an MSc (Birkbeck College, University of London). Details of this course are set out below. The course begins in September 2010, runs for two years and is designed to enable participants to pursue their careers concurrently.

The course is inter-disciplinary and is designed for professional practitioners with at least two years post-qualifying experience who wish to develop their skills to the required level for registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.

The course is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.

Social Workers

Social work candidates are advised that IFT and Birkbeck have made a successful application to Skills for Care and that the courses leading to the post qualification award have been endorsed by them.  The courses are now being presented to the General Social Care Council for accreditation which will form the final part of the process.  We intend to have this in place for the 2010 intake.  The Advanced Level will be awarded to candidates who complete the MSc in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy.

Entrance requirements

• A previous professional qualification in psychology, social work, psychiatry, nursing or education - please see notes on Prior Training Requirements. 
• A degree level education in the above or other area of academic work. If an applicant does not have a prior degree it must be possible to demonstrate ability to study at an MSc level. Individuals should discuss this with Judy Gray or Amber Jacobs before applying. 
• Successful completion of foundation and intermediate levels of training in systemic practice or equivalent
• The possibility of completing 100 hours per year of systemic practice outside the course

Aims of the Training 

To ensure that graduates of the course have developed sufficient knowledge and skills to enable them to practice effectively and ethically as independent family and systemic psychotherapists, equipped to work with a range of presenting issues and in a way that is sensitive to difference, culture, power differentials and the variety of ways that people choose to live their lives.  The course specifically aims to equip therapists to work in health and social service settings as well as in voluntary and private settings, and draws on a wide range of theories and ideas. 

Course structure and content

1.  Supervision Groups

 These are held weekly for four hour and a half hours and provide the opportunity to develop skills as a therapist in a stimulating and supportive environment.  The groups of four are led by an experienced therapist.  Groups are available in the afternoon or evening and meet either at IFT or at the Prudence Skynner Clinic in south west London.

Additional time is required for reviewing and preparing video tape and for personal/professional development sessions. Groups also meet as peer groups without the supervisor.

2. Academic programme
Academic blocks are held once a month in term time and consist of:

a) Lectures and presentations by visiting speakers

Topics include:

• Developments in family and systemic psychotherapy
• The application of different models
• Working with couples
• Addressing issues of power
• Thinking about culture
• Working with different groups of clients - the elderly, children, people with illness or disability
• Divorce, separation and stepfamilies
• Ethical issues
• Gay and Lesbian families and relationships
• Working with adult mental health issues
• Sexuality and couple relationships
• The therapeutic relationship

b)  Tutor groups

These are held in every academic block and provide support in academic learning and in the completion of coursework.

c)  Research teaching and dissertation development

There are regular teaching sessions on different aspects of research.  All trainees have to submit a research protocol as one of the coursework assignments and most trainees take the opportunity to carry out a research project as the basis of their dissertation.

d)  Power and diversity group

This group meets termly throughout the course with two external facilitators and provides students with an opportunity to develop self-reflexivity in relation to issues of ethnicity, power and diversity.

e)  Workplace consultation groups

These groups provide an opportunity outside of the supervision group to discuss organisational issues and clinical work from the trainees' workplace, and help to develop the ability to apply the course learning to various working contexts.

f)  Personal and professional development

It is very important for any therapist to develop an awareness of personal and professional processes that interweave with their work and to refelct on their use of self in their work.  Additional time in supervision groups is specifically allocated for personal/professional development session.

g)  Workshops

Trainees are required to attend two days of workshops each year (free of charge) from the IFT workshop programme. 

Assessment

Accreditation will be based on satisfactory completion of the following:

• Two theoretical essays
• Case study
• Fieldwork interviewing project
• A Research protocol
• A dissertation of 8,000 words involving a research project or a review of an agreed clinical topic
• Successful completion of clinical hours and satisfactory supervisor's report
• The completion of a learning portfolio
• End of course examination
• Presentation (including video of work) to the clinical accreditation panel
  

Selection

Interviews will be held in March 2010. Interviews consist of a group interview and an individual interview.   The interview process takes one full day.

The closing date for receipt of applications will be 19th February, 2010.

Fees

Fees for 2010: £3,912 p.a.
Alternative method of payment for self payers only:

• by direct debit in 8 monthly instalments
• in 3 termly instalments

IFT POLICY ON FEES

Once registered with IFT the student (or their employer/sponsor) is responsible for the full course fee.  In the event of students failing to complete the course for any reason (including voluntary withdrawal on notice) they will remain liable for the full fee. 

Criminal records bureau

Students will be asked to supply an Enhanced Certificate of Disclosure, which many will have through their work settings.  If students do not already have one they will be required to obtain one and be responsible for the cost.

OVERVIEW OF TIME COMMITMENT REQUIRED OF THE COURSE 

The course, although part time, does require significant time input from students. It is important that applicants are aware of the time commitment required.

1. Introductory 2 days: Two full days at the beginning of each year of the course

2. Clinical Supervision Groups: The clinical time is four and a half hours per week, during term time, over 11 weeks, although the groups have some flexibility as to how they meet the needs of work with families over the holiday period, for example some groups may take a half term break and extend the term by a week. This is open to each group to negotiate. Students will also need to make time for video review and administrative tasks associated with the clinical work.

3. Additional hours: Students also undertake 48 hours of peer directed learning with their supervision group colleagues over the two years (this equates to 8 hours per term), and Personal and Professional Development work of 25 hours minimum over the course (between 4 and 5 hours per term).

4. Academic Block: These take place monthly and consist of Thursday evenings 5.00pm - 8.00pm, and all day Friday (9.30/9.15am - 5.00pm)

5. Four days attendance at workshops during the two years of the course: these can be chosen from IFT's CPD programme.

6. Private study.

Course Chair

Judy Gray, MPhil, MSc, CQSW, BSoc (Hons)

Birkbeck Liaison Tutor

Dr Amber Jacobs: BA, MA, PhD

For an application pack please contact Nadia Tosic (nadia@iftnet.plus.com)

giving your postal address as well as your email address.

 Nb. there may be some minor changes is course structure - details will be made available as soon as possible.