Key Facts

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Start Dates: Oct

Attendance: Part-time day

Course Level:Postgraduate

Duration: 2 Years

Campus Location: Institute of Family Therapy, London

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About the course

Critical and reflective examination of systemic theory is at the heart of this course, and you will also focus on the application of a systemic framework to practice and research.

You study different approaches to therapeutic work across a range of subjects and client groups, including adult mental health, individuals, couples, children and families.

You will also sharpen your own critical responses to discourses relating to power, difference and diversity, and develop the skills needed to address issues of discrimination.

This course is delivered in partnership with the Institute of Family Therapy in London.

Intermediate qualifications available:

Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Masters level

Choose Family and Systemic Psychotherapy MSc and:

Study through a combination of lectures, group exercises and activities, and in addition to focusing on research and theory, benefit from the programme’s clinical practice component
Explore a range of qualitative methods for conducting research, before designing and conducting a piece of work in an area of your own interest and practice that you will write up for your final dissertation
Develop systemic practice skills through weekly attendance of a supervision group where you will work directly with clients assessing risk, safety and vulnerability, the therapeutic relationship, interventions, and theories of change
Gain an opportunity to develop your professional interests and contribute to the development of knowledge within the systemic field
Benefit from power and diversity group plenaries which will support you in the development of a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding power and discrimination.

Why choose this course?

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.

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Unit Information - What will I learn?

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

How will I be assessed?

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.

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Additional entry requirements for this course

Relevant First Professional Qualification or equivalent; See www.aft.org.uk
Successful completion of an accredited Foundation & Intermediate Level Training or equivalent
4 years experience working in / closely with mental health and / or social welfare settings, a minimum 2 years of which should be post-qualifying
Grounding in child development & psychology
Enhanced DBS / criminal records check

There is an RPEL /RPL (Recognition of prior experience and learning) route for those applicants who do not have a relevant first qualification or who have not completed an accredited Foundation and Intermediate systemic course.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.

To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification

Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country

To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.

We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.

You also need to have the required English language qualification

Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.

Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country

Entry Requirements

UK

Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.

EU

To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification

Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country

International

We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.

You also need to have the required English language qualification

Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.

How will this course improve my career prospects?

The course is the final stage of training leading to qualification as a family/systemic psychotherapist and eligibility to register with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy).