This programme combines clinical and academic work in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. It is the first part of a 4 year clinical training in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy which is professionally accredited, with an academic award at Masters Level.

The Postgraduate Certificate in The Development of Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is part of TCCR's unique professional qualification in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and is not intended as a stand-alone qualification. The PG Certificate combines advanced academic study in the psychoanalytic understanding of couple relationships and a year's experience of psychoanalytic work with couples. It is run by the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships at their premises in Warren Street, London W1T 5PB

A Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University at the level of a 2:2 or higher
AND
A professional qualification in a relevant field of study such as psychotherapy, social work, counselling, psychology, psychiatry or other allied professional groups.
AND
Significant previous professional and clinical experience, preferably including work with couples.

Evidence of ability to study and work at Masters level or to reach this standard within the time of the programme.

Evidence of a commitment to learning from experience and deploying psychoanalytic concepts in pursuit of professional understanding and the development of the self.

Students are required to be in an approved personal psychotherapy or psychoanalysis for a minimum of three times weekly from 12 months prior to the start of the programme. Except in exceptional cases this will be with a Registrant of the British Psychoanalytic Council with 5 years post-qualification experience. For those continuing on the training, the requirement for personal therapy lasts until qualification. 

The Professional Body requires also that Admission is on the basis of two interviews “ one focussed on work experience, the second on personal suitability for the clinical part of the programme. Satisfactory references are required.

Entry to the Postgraduate Certificate is handled at TCCR in conjunction with the Professional Body, as there is a need to ensure that entry to both the academic and the professional elements of the programme is appropriate.

Exemptions from Clinical Training requirements:

Where these are not part of the academic programme they are dealt with by the Programme Training Committee.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS *** (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The programme combines infant observation, theoretical, clinical and research methodology seminars with regular tutorials. Parallel clinical work is undertaken with regular supervision and some cases are seen in co-therapy with senior staff of the TCCR. Students are invited to other seminars and conferences within TCCR and also those run by the professional body BSCPC. They are also invited to meetings with the Professional Staff group when the topic under discussion is thought to aid their clinical and research skills.

The programme takes place at The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships, 70 Warren Street London, W1T 5PB.

All assessment is through coursework. The module has coursework assignments which are spaced throughout the year. Successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate leads to entry to the MA in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy or is taken as an exit award. Successful completion of Modules 1-3 of the MA leads to the award of MA in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and is simultaneous with the professional clinical qualification of TCCR's Qualification in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. The MA is awarded with Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Satisfactory completion of the Postgraduate Certificate leads to completion of year 1 of the TCCR clinical training in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Completion of the  subsequent MA programme results in a professional qualification as a Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and professional registration with British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) and Full Membership of the British Society of Couple Psychotherapists and Counsellors (BSCPC).

Students will have an opportunity to design and conduct an independent piece of research on the topic of their choice, using qualitative or/and qualitative methods of analysis. Dissertations can take the form of an empirical project.

A Dissertation is undertaken by students on an individual basis. Every student is allocated a personal supervisor. Supervisory meetings are flexible and student-driven. They take place on a one-to-one basis and are to be organised between the supervisor and student; on average, meetings should occur every fortnight.

The Postgraduate Certificate is year 1 of a 4 year clinical training and does not by itself comprise a professional training. However upon completion of the professional training previous graduates have pursued careers in the health service, working in adult mental health departments and in private practice. There are sometimes opportunities to work within the TCCR. Others have used their qualification to develop work with parents in child and adolescent mental health services. There is the opportunity through BSCPC to discuss career opportunities.

The MA award is also the entry requirement for the PD Programme in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (re-validation pending).

We aim to provide students with a supportive and rewarding learning environment. Each student has a personal tutor who supports them through the programme. Students also benefit from reduced fee membership of the Tavistock Clinic Library which is recognised as a Special Resource Library by the British Library with the status of Specialist National Psychotherapy Library. Students have access to the UEL libraries and to others under the SCONUL agreement. Programme staff are Senior Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists many of which are engaged in clinical and practice and research at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships. Each student has a senior staff member as their supervisor for clinical work. Initial clinical work is carried out with qualified and experienced staff and as a result students are well supported in their work

This programme provides an opportunity to study and work at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships, a clinical training and research centre recognised nationally and internationally as a centre for advanced practice in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. In addition to their core clinical practice senior staff have developed a number of specialisms within the work, e.g. working in dementia in couples, brief work, divorce and separation, parenting and students are given opportunities to link in to these applied areas of couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy.