Clinical Qualification in Psychodynamic Couple and Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy is a unique three-year psychotherapy training that qualifies practitioners to work with both couples and individuals.
It is available as an MA in Psychodynamic Couple and Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy, an award offered by Birkbeck College, University of London (subject to final approval in May 2023).
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Start date: September 2023
Fees for September 2023-24: £7,395 per year. Subsequent years may be subject to annual increase. Cost of personal analysis where this is part of the entry requirement.
For details of bursaries, government loans and monthly fee payments, please see our Counselling & Psychotherapy Courses page, contact our training team via email or use the form at the foot of this page.
How to apply: You can apply for this course via Birkbeck using the online application form on their website.
Course length: Clinical Qualification 3 years, taught part-time, along with the completion of any clinical requirements.
Qualification: Professional qualification and clinical training BACP accredited. Advanced Standing minimum 2 years
Venue: Blended learning experience at 10 New Street, London EC2M 4TP with online seminars
Course code: CT2
Teaching and supervision is provided by senior staff. All our trainings and supervisions are delivered by highly experienced staff at Tavistock Relationships.
Tavistock Relationships specialises in couple relationships and is the leading couple therapy centre in London but many individuals also choose to come to Tavistock Relationships for therapy because at the core of many of the issues or dilemmas seen in the consulting room is often a relationship difficulty of some sort.
Another unique feature of TR’s psychodynamic psychotherapy training is that clinicians receive specific psychosexual training which enables them to work sensitively, knowledgeably and skillfully with this area of the couple’s intimate relationship. Individuals encountering psychosexual and intimacy difficulties may be seen in TR’s clinical service and clinicians are trained in how to help those who may not yet have been able to have a sexual relationship or who have developed particular difficulties in sustaining one.
Four core academic modules in skills, psychoanalytic thought, couple theory 1 & 2
A requirement of the course is that all students have personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy of at least once a week for the duration of the course.
Year 1 Timetable Tuesdays:
3pm–4.15pm - Self Reflective Group 1*
4.30pm–6pm - Skills Seminar
6.15pm–7.30pm - Theory Seminar
Year 1 Timetable Thursdays:
6.30pm–7.45pm - Self Reflective Group 2*
*Students are allocated to either Group 1 or Group 2
Year 3 & 4 Timetable Wednesdays:
15.30 – 16.45 Clinical Seminar - Group 1
17:00 – 18:15 Clinical Seminar – Group 2
18:30 – 19:45 Couple Theory 2 Seminar
Year 2 Timetable Thursday:
15:30 – 16:45 Self-Reflective Group
17:00 – 18:15 Couple Theory 1
To offer a pluralistic, rich and wide-ranging programme of study in the therapeutic approach to people in couple relationships.
To encourage a study of unconscious processes.
To understand and analyse the process of the therapeutic relationship and the purpose and practice of intervention.
To encourage students to reflect at all times on their own life experiences and to use this creatively in understanding the work.
To encourage a thoughtful and critical approach to the programme.
To encourage practice-based research.
For direct entry into our Clinical Qualification training, you will need to meet all of the following criteria:
Please note: it is a requirement of our clinical trainings that you are in personal therapy with a BPC registered psychoanalyst or psychoanalytic psychotherapist (NOT a psychodynamic psychotherapist) within 2 months of starting the course. This is in addition to the required minimum 12 months of psychotherapy cited above. Students’ training therapists need to be approved by us, so you are advised to check first before entering into a new therapy at the same time as applying for a place on the training. For those established in current, ongoing therapy, we will discuss this with you at interview should you be shortlisted.
In terms of personal qualities, we are looking for applicants with the following:
We are mindful of the emotional demands involved in training to become a therapist and always seek to provide a supportive learning environment. It is also important that applicants are sufficiently emotionally and mentally robust to undertake our trainings. Personal readiness is a significant requirement that will be explored as part of the application assessment process.
Exemptions may apply for APEL’d components.
If you are an experienced individual psychotherapist or a couple therapist, you may be eligible for entry with advanced standing. This could enable you to complete the taught part of the programme in a minimum of two years.
Assessment includes:
Qualification after successful completion of the course
You will be expected to have a first degree or equivalent professional qualification/experience and relevant work experience (paid or voluntary work in the caring professions or work requiring a high level of interpersonal skills) or to have completed the Introductory Course in Couple Counselling and Psychotherapy (PC1).
You will be expected to attend psychoanalytic psychotherapy once a week on commencement of the course.
Contact 020 7380 8288 or email:
You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course using the online application link.
For more information, please contact
Or you can sign up for one of our Open Events and Taster Days.
Our New Street site allows for flat level entry into the building. The building is DDA Compliant (no longer in effect and now forms part of the equality Act (EA)) and does meet the minimum requirements for wheelchair access. The floors used for training are accessible for both manual and electronic powered wheelchairs. A platform lift with a wheelchair protective barrier is installed for single use and a lift that will accommodate one wheelchair user without an accompanying person.
Note: Please make sure to select the correct course from the 'Range of Courses' dropdown menu in the form below.
10 New Street, London, UK, EC2M 4TP - Tel: 020 7380 1975
Registered Charity Number: 211058. Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology.
Company number: 241618.
10 New Street, London EC2M 4TP
Tel: 020 7380 1975
Registered Charity Number: 211058. Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology. Company number: 241618.