The course provides a clinically based training for qualification as a Child Psychotherapist, recognised by the Association of Child Psychotherapists and the Department of Health. The course leads to the award of the Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Students who are accepted onto this training have successfully completed a pre-clinical component, comprising a minimum of two years of study on the Psychoanalytic Observational Studies Course (Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies) or its equivalent. The course has a graduate membership and students must also have substantial experience of work in a professional capacity with children and adolescents. Prior to starting the course, students must have completed at least a year of personal psychoanalysis. (minimum three times weekly)

The course is a full-time training course. Students work as trainee child psychotherapists in a clinical setting alongside weekly attendance at training events which take place at the Tavistock Clinic on Wednesdays and Thursdays in term time. Trainees complete a number of clinical cases under supervision. These include both intensive and non-intensive, long-term psychotherapy cases with children and young people of different ages and with a range of difficulties, as well as a variety of other clinical interventions such as brief work, family interventions and group work. This clinical experience is supervised, recorded and documented in the way required for qualification as a member of the Association of Child Psychotherapists and a portfolio of written work is prepared for submission for assessment for the award of M.Psych.Psych.

The Tavistock Clinic is the largest training school for child psychotherapy in the country and the programme has been running since 1948. The M.Psych Psych was validated in 1994 and the first award conferred in 1998. Students have the opportunity to learn from highly experienced members of the profession. Trainees receive managerial and clinical supervision in their clinic placements. At the Tavistock Clinic they have intensive case supervision and attend seminars which support the development of their clinical skills and provide them with a theoretical and technical framework and grasp of research methodology relevant to the clinical context. Teaching events at the Tavistock Clinic include theory seminars, clinical seminars, small group supervisions and a wide range of specialist seminars and workshops from which students select according to their particular interests and requirements. Students are given individual tutorial support throughout the course and are given supervisory support on the preparation of their written submissions.

At the point of qualification, students submit for assessment a portfolio of clinical writing which demonstrates a capacity for a wide range of clinical work and an ability to describe and analyse that work and to communicate effectively with CAMHS colleagues and with professionals in allied fields. The portfolio consists of four sections, which include an account of the candidate’s professional development, a clinical paper, several shorter clinical presentations and a range of professional writing.

The work described in the portfolio has been completed in a clinical setting, most commonly within the CAMHS service of the NHS but occasionally under the auspices of a voluntary sector organisation. The combination of experience in the clinical setting and attendance at teaching events at the Tavistock Clinic ensures that current issues from the NHS are brought into the training school and that new thinking in theory and research fields is disseminated to colleagues in the NHS.

There is a good deal of flexibility in the selection of written work, which is submitted in the portfolio. Students have the opportunity to approach the task in the way which best reflects their experience of the training and their particular strengths and interests. The portfolio is also an opportunity to indicate areas for future professional and/or academic development.

Not all training schools are yet able to offer an academic award alongside the professional qualification. A high level pass at M.Psych.Psych. level entitles the student to proceed to the doctoral programme. (D.Psych.Psych).

The acquisition of the M.Psych. Psych and further research activity under the auspices of the doctoral programme can be useful in terms of supporting applications for employment and promotion within the profession.

Students are given tutorial support throughout the course and are given extensive individual and small group supervisory support with their clinical work and on the preparation of their written submissions. Students are also supported by their ongoing personal psychoanalysis.

The Tavistock Clinic is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for psychoanalytic studies, research and clinical work with children and families. There are opportunities to hear highly qualified and influential speakers and to meet colleagues from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in psychoanalysis. There is an outstanding library providing a specialist service.