Family & Systemic Psychotherapy

MSc Family & Systemic Psychotherapy

Introduction

This MSc course is an advanced clinical training course provided in collaboration with the Institute of Family Therapy. It provides both academic and professional standards for the practice of Family and Systemic Psychotherapy.

This interdisciplinary course combines intensive supervised clinical practice at the Institute of Family Therapy with a programme of academic study.

Students are trained to develop skills in critical study of different family forms in different cultures and the processes which affect stress and coping among their members. The principles of systemic thinking will be applied to the behaviour of people in family, marriage and partnership and other intimate relationship settings and students will develop a reflexive awareness of self as therapist and an understanding of the interplay between personal experience and professional development. The course also explores the place of Family Psychotherapy in relation to a range of practice settings, applies systemic thinking to organisational process and also the principles of Family Therapy frameworks. Research methodology and integration of research and clinical teaching are also covered.

Graduates are qualified to apply for registration with with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. The course was accredited by the Greater London Post Qualifying Education and Training Consortium (social work) (GLPQ) until its demise and replacement by the GSCC and Skills for Health. Birkbeck and IFT are preparing an application for validation of the course under the new Post-Qualifying Social Work Award structure, at Advanced Award Level. The course is also accredited by Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK (AFT).

The course is designed to enable participants to continue employment and they will be required to have at least 100 hours per year of systemic practice in their workplace. Trainees will see families, couples and individuals referred to IFT in the context of a small (4) supervision group and their work will be mostly live-supervised.

Requirements:

• A previous professional qualification in psychology, social work, psychiatry, nursing or education.
• 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 Dr Amber Jacobs before applying.
• Completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice with Families & Couples or equivalent intermediate level training in Systemic Practice.
• The possibility of completing 100 hours per year of systemic practice outside the course.