The Research component of the course encourages independent learning, providing you with an opportunity to develop your own professional practice interests in initiating and taking responsibility for a research project and dissertation, contributing to the development of knowledge within the systemic field. The course aims to help you develop your work with families and couples, to increase and consolidate your theoretical and clinical skills and your understanding of the use of the self in practice. The inclusion of a wide range of approaches is an important characteristic. It is part of the course philosophy to encourage you in the development of a critical approach to theory and practice examining the inequalities and differences for example of race, class, gender, and to encourage an ethical and anti-discriminatory approach to clients. Use of self and self-reflexive practice is a core aspect of training,

 

A particular feature of the course are the Power and Diversity group plenaries, which support you in developing your understanding of issues of power and discrimination. These plenaries supplement and support the acquisition of these skills in your supervision group to apply this understanding in your therapeutic practice.

 

Subject to the agreement of your agency, you will be expected to bring your own case material for discussion and video or audio recordings of your work. Where appropriate signed, informed consent will be obtained from families for this purpose. For review of work during the course through DVD consultation, the consent forms for therapy include consent to record and review for the purposes of training. The academic and experiential learning provided encourages you to develop a broad critique and to apply a range of interventions in family and other related contexts in which you have a professional role. .

 

The course is the final stage of training leading to qualification as a family / systemic psychotherapist and eligibility to register with the UKCP.

 

The part time structure of the course enables you to continue in your employment while you study. The combination of evening and day time study and its central location make it accessible geographically to students from different parts of the UK. Tutors and supervisors are all registered systemic psychotherapists and systemic supervisors, many of whom have a PhD, combining academic rigour which is also grounded in clinical practice, contributing to a rich learning experience.

Units

• Clinical Practice: The Developing Therapist (ASS042-6) Compulsory
• Clinical Practice: The Maturing Therapist (ASS045-6) Compulsory
• Research Methods (ASS040-6) Compulsory
• Research, Practice And The Evidence Base (ASS092-6) Compulsory
• Theory In Context (ASS041-6) Compulsory

The course employs a range of assessment strategies enabling you to demonstrate how you meet the learning outcomes of the course, drawing on a range of strengths, including verbal and written presentation skills and clinical practice. The Critical Analysis and the Research Proposal in Research Methods provide an opportunity for you to develop and refine the skills you will need for your Research Dissertation in Year 2, while other parts of the course will contribute to the knowledge and skills base that will support you in your research enterprise. Within the Theory in Context Unit you are expected to demonstrate your ability to make cogent links between theory and practice as well as to show reflexive abilities and attention to issues of power, the `Social GRACES� and anti-oppressive practice. The written assignments, which are part of the Theory in Context Unit: a systemic analysis of a cross-cultural fieldwork interview with a non-clinical family and a theory paper in year one, and a case study in Year 2 (part of Clinical Practice: The Maturing Therapist, give you the chance to apply systemic ideas in different contexts, to use your own client work to show theory in action and to give examples of creative responses in unexpected situations. The Evidence-based Assignment in the Research and Evidence-Based Practice Unit in Year 2 affords you the opportunity to examine in greater depth an area of practice of interest to you, while the dissertation enables you to develop and carry out a substantial empirical research project, in an area of your choice.

Bedfordshire is a small county with lots to offer.

However you enjoy spending your free time, you won’t have to look far in Bedfordshire to find somewhere to relax, socialise or explore the great outdoors. 

We are also conveniently located around 30 minutes by train from London, offering you the city experience with a homely feel.

Bedfordshire offers:

• A range of pubs, clubs and restaurants
• High street and independent shopping
• Museums, galleries and theatres - and our own University Theatre
• Entertainment centres
• Stunning countryside
• Professional sport and world-class facilities
• Headquarters of a number of notable UK and international companies
• Luton International Carnival and Bedford River Festival

Campuses in Buckinghamshire

We also have campuses in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes