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

The MA in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is a unique academic and clinical programme. It combines advanced academic study with the development of highly skilled professional practice in psychoanalytic work with couples. It includes an Infant Observation as well an opportunity to study qualitative research methodologies appropriate to work with couples. It is run by the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships at their premises in Warren Street, London W1T 5PB

MA Programme in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Entry requirement to Module 1:

Postgraduate Certificate in The Development of Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
N.B. The Postgraduate Certificate and the Masters programme together comprise the TCCR clinical training in Psychoanalytic Couple Psychotherapy. (See separate Programme Specification for Postgraduate Certificate)

 Students are required to continue in their approved personal psychotherapy or psychoanalysis for a minimum of three times weekly as required for the PG Certificate. The requirement for personal therapy continues until qualification and at least for four years. 

The Professional Body requires also that 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.

Entry requirements for entry with APL/ACL into Module 2 (year 3 of the clinical training):

Entry with APL is possible for applicants with a psychoanalytic psychotherapy qualification or TCCR’s PG Diploma in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Admission to module 2 /year 3 of the clinical training 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.

Entry requirements for the MA Programme are handled at TCCR in conjunction with the Professional Body , as there is a need to ensure 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 6.5 (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. Each module has coursework assignments which are spaced throughout the year. Successful completion of the 1st year leads to the exit award of a Postgraduate 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 of TCCR’s Qualification in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. The MA is awarded with Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Satisfactory completion of the 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).

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.

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

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 specialism's within the work, e.g. working in adult mental health, brief work, divorce, parenting and students are given opportunities to link in to these applied areas of couple psychoanalytic psychotherapy.