Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (DPsychotherapy) - 2012/2013 entry

This joint doctorate between Birkbeck and the British Association of Psychotherapists (BAP) enables you to acquire a professional training in child and adolescent psychotherapy and to complete a substantial doctoral-level research project. It is a clinical training, lasting for a minimum of four years, which leads, upon qualification, to Membership of the Child and Adolescent Section of the BAP and to accreditation by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) for work in the NHS.

The theoretical orientation of the training represents the thinking of the Independent and Classical Schools within the British psychoanalytic movement, as well as contemporary thought. The training aims to provide a thorough understanding of normal child development, childhood psychopathology and psychotherapeutic techniques linked with direct experience of clinical work.

Each trainee sees three children in intensive psychotherapy (one child of five years or under, one primary school child, and one adolescent), a minimum of three times a week, with individual weekly supervision for each case. Trainees are also required to treat at least six children once or twice a week, to work with parents, and to undertake diagnostic assessments.

All trainees are required to be in personal psychoanalysis with a BAP-approved therapist, at least four times a week throughout their training.

Trainees work within the NHS, many of them in fully funded posts.

For more information, read our programme handbook.

• Library resources both at Birkbeck and the BAP; access to the training resources at the BAP.

• Clinical reports, clinical paper, thesis, viva voce involving an external examiner.

This programme is made up of two equal components, a clinical component (delivered by the BAP) and a research/academic component (delivered by Birkbeck).

The clinical component is assessed by clinical reports and the clinical paper; the research component, which incorporates theoretical as well as research work undertaken during the training, is assessed by the thesis. All elements of the Doctorate must be passed for the award of the degree.

The taught element of the programme is mainly provided at the BAP on a Tuesday afternoon and evening in small groups. Three times a term (once a month) there will be a doctoral research seminar on a Tuesday afternoon and, in the first year, research methodology seminars either on a Monday evening or Friday afternoon at Birkbeck.

Aims and objectives

The academic and clinical training  programme aims to:

• provide a broad and up to date overview of the theoretical frameworks informing the practice of child and adolescent psychotherapy
• develop the knowledge, skills and reflective processes necessary to practice psychotherapy within a strong ethical framework
• promote the development of effective skills in communicating with parents and other professionals and in engaging in inter-agency work
• provide research training that complements the development of clinical skills enabling trainees to evaluate research papers and carry out a piece of research appropriate for a doctoral level degree
• develop skills in written work as well as in verbal presentation of theory and clinical work.

Before you submit an application, please read our advice on how to apply for MPhil/PhD research. 

• Psychoanalytic theory with an emphasis on contemporary understanding of child and adolescent development and psychological difficulties; the theory and practice of child and adolescent psychotherapy; research in child and adolescent psychotherapy.
• For full details of all staff researching in psychosocial studies, see the entry for PhD/MPhil Psychosocial Studies.

• Contact the BAP training co-ordinator during the spring term in advance of the following academic year, to arrange a discussion or meeting with a senior member of the training staff, who will advise on personal analysis, course requirements and NHS training posts. This early meeting is essential, as candidates are required to have had a minimum of 12 months of personal therapy with a BAP-approved analyst prior to beginning training and clinical work. Finding an analyst may take some time.
• Candidates who have had a preliminary discussion will be asked to return a completed BAP application form. The closing date is January. Forms are available from the training co-ordinator. Following the BAP selection process, successful candidates will be asked to complete the Birkbeck application form.
• Before you submit an application, please read our advice on how to apply for MPhil/PhD research.