This clinical training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy leads to membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists. Trainees combine academic work with employment during training.

In partnership with:
University of East London

Organising tutors
Catrin Bradley, Sarah Gustavus-Jones and Margaret Rustin

Course aims

• Meet the needs of children, adolescents and their families for specialised psychotherapeutic treatment.

• Contribute to the development of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service as a member of a multidisciplinary clinical team.

• Acquire skills in applying psychotherapeutic understanding in varied community contexts.

• Complete a clinically based training, which prepares you for a career as a child psychotherapist in the NHS.

Is this course for you?

• Your pre-qualifications must meet the requirements of the Training Council of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP).

• You are expected to have substantial experience of working with children and adolescents of varying ages and have completed a minimum of one year of analysis with a recognised analyst, and demonstrate personal suitability for this demanding work.

• You must have completed the Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies course (M7) or a recognised equivalent.

• You will be in personal analysis throughout the clinical training.

Please note: Some current students are completing the Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: Child and Adolescent. An opportunity for them to complete a doctorate will be made available in due course. A previous Professional Doctorate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: Child and Adolescent is not open to new applicants, though there is a continuing cohort of current students. Individual qualified child psychotherapists interested in clinical research can approach Professor Maria Rhode to explore the option of PhD registration.

Time commitment
Four years; full-time. Wednesday and Thursday mornings. An extended period of part-time study can be arranged (likely to require a further year). Coursework can be fitted into one day of seminars, workshops and supervisions (Wednesdays) making it possible for trainee child psychotherapists working at a distance from London to join the course (such applications are welcome). Some teaching events also take place on Thursday mornings, for those whom this is a convenient alternative.

Assessment

• Leads to eligibility for membership of the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Division.

• There are a number of funded training posts in NHS Clinics in parts of the UK, for which successful applicants can apply.