We are no longer recruiting to the Professional Doctorate programme.
Please click here to see our other postgraduate programmes.
We are no longer recruiting to the Professional Doctorate programme.
Please click here to see our other postgraduate programmes.
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This Professional Doctorate in Couple Psychotherapy aims to develop practitioners in the field of psychoanalytically-oriented couple psychotherapy in advanced research skills and understanding so that they can make an original contribution to professional knowledge and problem-solving through an extended piece of Doctorate research and writing.
It is an opportunity for couple psychotherapists to do qualitative or quantitative research in the field of adult relationships and can be based on clinical, conceptual, or applied work (for example work with parents).
Tavistock Relationships has a long history of researching and writing about couple relationships, and is staffed by experts in the field. It is unique because our level of expertise adds depth of thinking and reflective capacity to psychotherapeutic practise and research with the added dimension of a psychoanalytic and psychodynamic frame.
Why study a Professional Doctorate at Tavistock Relationships?
Accreditation
Successful completion of programme Professional Doctorate in Couple Psychotherapy at Tavistock Relationships leads to the award of Professional Doctorate by the University of East London.
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Whilst this part of the programme is individual and unique to each candidate, the thesis for all students will normally be based on clinical or applied practise with couples or a closely related field (such as parents and parenting). Students may choose to do a more theoretically-orientated dissertation (for example, conceptual research), but in any case it should build on the body of practise experience and knowledge that couple therapists have developed in their clinical work and applied to allied settings. Indicative examples of topics are:
Research may be case study or small-scale research study-based, or conceptually-based. The research may be a part of a larger research project but, if so, the student's own research must form the dissertation. Qualitative methods, survey-based or quantitative research methods (or a mix) may be used.
Professional Doctorate students will have at least two, and normally not more than three, supervisors who together demonstrate an appropriate range of academic and/or professional experience. At least one will be expert in the area of couple psychotherapy. One supervisor will be the Director of Studies with responsibility to supervise the student on a regular, frequent and recorded basis. Tavistock Relationships will help advise on appropriate supervisors and at least one is usually a senior member of Tavistock Relationships' staff.
Thesis
Students will be supported to plan and write an extended dissertation (40,000-60,000 words) that includes a thorough literature review situating the research in the couple therapy field, a comprehensive justification and description of the methodology used, transparent accounts of the ‘data’ (whatever these may be), and a clear analysis of the data that meets contemporary standards for analysis at doctoral level. These will be followed by a good discussion of what the results mean as well as their limitations, and the whole dissertation has to conform to UEL’s requirements for doctoral writing. Generally, it is helpful for students to write as they conduct their research, and all the assessments in the taught part of the programme are designed to help with the final dissertation.
Assessed course assignments
You will be supported throughout the course by a personal tutor
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David Hewison is Head of Research; programme leader of the Professional Doctorate in Couple Psychotherapy and project manager for the IAPT Couple Therapy for Depression Training
David joined Tavistock Relationships in 1996 with a background in adult mental health social work and training. A Jungian analyst and couple psychoanalytic psychotherapist, he has been involved in all aspects of Tavistock Relationships' work over the years including being part of the senior management team. He is currently leading the Centre's research and publication functions.
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Qualification after successful completion of the course
You will gain a Professional Doctorate in Couple Psychotherapy (D.Cpl.Psych) from the University of East London (UEL).
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Professional Doctorate 2018-19 Fees:
UK & EU Students: £3,800
Non-EU/EAA Students: £4,800
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Start date: September 2019
4 years part-time (with provision for early submission or more time if necessary).
Part 1 of the Doctorate is taught within years 1& 2, seminars mainly take place on Tuesday late afternoon and evenings, as well as some Saturday workshops. Students don’t have to attend all the seminars if they can claim Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) of elements previously undertaken as part of Tavistock Relationships' Masters Awards in Couple Psychodynamic, Psychoanalytic, or Psychosexual Psychotherapy, or other demonstrated equivalence
Part 2 is the research part of the Doctorate and extends over the next two years or so
Programme structure and components
Part 1 is made up of 5 modules:
Clinical Research Methods, Clinical Theory and Practise, Advanced Clinical Research Methods, Developing Research Methodology for Professional Doctorates, Advanced Clinical Theory and Practice (July Summer School in year 2)
These are taught through a mix of seminars, workshops, tutorials and research supervision.
Part 2 is the research part of the Doctorate and is an extended opportunity over 2 years+ to develop and apply the skills learned in Part 1 to a professional area or problem. It culminates in the submission of a 40,000- 60,000 word thesis and its defence in an oral examination.
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Students will usually have the following:
Examples of recognised qualifications are:
Holders of:
may also be eligible to apply depending on evidence that their overall experience gives them the equivalent of the above.
If in doubt, please contact the Programme Leader, David Hewison:
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Further information about this programme is available from:
If you are interested in any of these programmes please phone the Programme Leader, David Hewison: 020 7380 1955 - direct line and voicemail. Email:
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Apply using the application form below:
Download application form here
Applications should be sent to:
Course Admissions
Tavistock Relationships
70 Warren Street
London W1T 5PB
Contact T: 020 7380 8288 E:
Closing date for application has passed.
>>> Note: We are not currently accepting new applications <<<
Applicants complete an application form and short listed applicants are invited for an interview: with a senior Tavistock Relationships staff member couple specialist and a UEL research specialist. Offers of places on the programme are made following a selection meeting.