This programme combines a clinical training in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy which is professionally accredited, with an academic award at Masters Level and an advanced research Doctorate.

The PD programme in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is a unique programme. It fosters the development of highly skilled professional practice with advanced academic study and research. It offers an Infant Observation as well as a Masters programme that offers a unique opportunity to study qualitative research methodologies appropriate to work with couples and to be supported in a clinically-relevant research study. Subsequent to this, it offers an opportunity to carry out in-depth advanced research from a psychoanalytic perspective in furtherance of a Professional Doctorate. It is run by the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships at their premises in Swiss Cottage, London NW3

A first degree or preferably an MA or equivalent such as a professional qualification in counselling, social work or psychoanalytic psychotherapy is needed. Previous or current work with couples is generally also required. Admission is on the basis of interview and satisfactory references.

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.

Entry with advanced standing is possible for applicants with a psychoanalytic psychotherapy qualification or TCCR’s PG Diploma in Psychodynamic Couple Counselling. Admission is on the basis of two interviews – one focussed on work experience, the second personal suitability for the clinical part of the programme. Satisfactory references are required.

The full programme takes a between 3 and 6 years study, part time and is divided into three awards, run in parallel with TCCR’s Clinical Training in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and effectively inseparable from it. The first two awards (a Postgraduate Associate Certificate and an MA) are academic qualifications linked to progression through the Clinical Training. The third award of a Doctorate in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is an advanced research degree that takes place after achieving the TCCR Qualification in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. The teaching components take place largely on Tuesdays afternoon and evening. There is flexibility in other parts of the programme. The clinical work is carried out at TCCR.

The programme combines infant observation, theoretical, clinical and research methodology seminars with regular tutorials. Parallel clinical work is undertaken with senior staff of the TCCR. Students are invited to meetings of 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, 120 Belsize Lane, London, NW3 5BA.

All assessment is through coursework. Each module has coursework assignments which are spaced throughout the year. Successful completion of the 1st year leads to the award of an unnamed Postgraduate Associate Certificate. Successful completion of modules 1-3 leads to the award of MA in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and is simultaneous with the professional clinical qualification in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. The MA is awarded with Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Once the TCCR Qualification in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy has been attained, the graduate student can take the Doctorate in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. The final dissertation is assessed by external examiners and a viva voce. There is no final degree classification.

Satisfactory completion of the first four years of the programme results in a professional qualification as a Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and professional registration with United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists (UKCP) and Full membership of the Society of Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists (SCPP). The research component offers an exciting opportunity to make an original contribution to the development of a relatively new area of work.

The MA dissertation is a case-study based piece of clinical research that has to meet the requirements of the Qualifying Paper for the Clinical Training in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

The Doctoral research project and dissertation needs to be related to a psychoanalytic understanding of work with couples but it also offers opportunities for students to apply this to their particular area of interest or to develop one.

Students on this programme may be eligible to join workshops and seminars taking place in the Tavistock Clinic. It is sometimes possible to negotiate honorary contracts for clinical work to take place in the Adult department and the Child and Family Department of the Tavistock Clinic.

Previous graduates have pursued careers in the health service, working in adult mental health departments and in private practice. Others have used their qualification to develop work with parents in child and adolescent mental health services. Students meet with the professional body SCPP once a term to discuss career opportunities. A CPD (Continuous Professional Development) seminar is now run for those who have completed the clinical component of the programme.

In addition, MA Award holders, as qualified Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists, are eligible to apply to undertake a shortened individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy qualifying training as an Associate Member of the British Association of Psychotherapists, or the 2-year Membership Course in individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the London Centre for Psychotherapy.

We aim to provide students with a supportive and rewarding learning environment. The intake is limited so seminars are small in size. Each Student has a personal tutor who supports them through the programme and a research tutor. Students also benefit from the use 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 also have access to the UEL libraries and to three others they may wish to nominate. Programme staff are all Senior Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists engaged in clinical and practice and research at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships (formerly the Tavistock Marital Studies Institute).

In the parallel Clinical Training, each student has a supervisor for clinical work and two supervisors for the research component. Initial clinical work is carried out with a senior member of 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 adult mental health, brief work, divorce, child bereavement and infertility and students are given opportunities to link in to these applied areas of couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy.