Masters Degrees (Systemic)

Join us on this course and you will develop your systemic knowledge and skills, and increase the effectiveness of your direct work with children and families with children.

Designed as an intermediate year of training for systemic psychotherapy and end-stage training as a systemic practitioner, it is built on the theoretical and practice frameworks established in the foundation year.

It aims to deepen your confidence in employing different approaches encompassed by systems theory, and will encourage you to incorporate reflexive thinking in your work.

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

Choose Intermediate Child Focused Systemic Practice PgCert and:

• Study the application of systemic ideas and learn how they can help you understand the developmental stages of children
• Explore the five major models of systemic practice, including the philosophical underpinnings, main theorists, main theoretical principles, model of change and role of the practitioner with particular reference to work with families with minor aged children and their networks
• Develop your ability to apply systemic practice skills to a number of different client groups and across a range of practice contexts
• Gain the ability to work within the ethical and legal frameworks that are relevant to multiple practice contexts and the particular requirements of organisations
• Benefit from an enhanced ability to use relevant evidence-based research to make assessments, formulate interventions and review the effectiveness of your direct work.

Visit the website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/intermediate-child-focused-systemic-practice#about

Course detail

The course is designed to help professionals to develop and deepen systemic knowledge and skills in order to increase the effectiveness of direct work with individual children and families with minor children across a broad range of contexts. The course is both an intermediate year of training for systemic psychotherapy and end stage training as a systemic practitioner. It is built on the theoretical and practice frameworks established in the foundation year of training. It seeks to deepen students familiarity with and confidence in employing a number of approaches encompassed by systems theory.

The course is suitable for professionals who wish to increase their capacity to work directly with families with young children. This includes nurses, social workers, teachers, counsellors, other health professionals and those in front line services who wish to utilise a systemic approach with clients.

The course stresses the importance of understanding professional contexts and the way in which they relate to work with families with children. Particular emphasis is placed on thinking about ways of working which meet the needs of the most disadvantaged client groups and which take account of the legislative frameworks within which most practitioners will have to work. Attention to issues of difference and the promotion and development of anti-oppressive practice are central to the course philosophy and permeate all aspects of the teaching.

In addition the course focuses on the development of the therapeutic relationship and the use of self in direct work with individuals and families.

Modules

• Intermediate Systemic Child Focused Practice (ASS047-6) Compulsory

Assessment

The course is composed of graded and pass/fail elements of assessment. The pass/fail assessments do not contribute towards your overall mark, but must be completed to a pass standard. There are two pass/fail elements: your log of 60 hours of systemic practice, and your reflective journal which charts your journey through the course.

Careers

On completing the course students are likely to have access to posts that require therapeutic skills in working with families with minor children. One example is in the Health and Social Care fields following the Munro Report on Child Protection which promotes systemic ideas as essential skills for front line workers. This course provides Intermediate training in systemic ideas that are applicable to social care, health, education and other contexts. On successful completion of this course students may describe themselves as systemic practitioners, an end target in itself, and also an intermediate stage in the full systemic psychotherapist training.

Some students enter the course to enhance their current practice with families with minor children or their carers without changing their work context. One example are counsellors who have originally trained to work with individuals and who use this foundation training to move towards working with families in the voluntary sector or as a stepping stone to further training.

For those in the statutory sector, many use the course to expand their practice and to develop routes to promotion into social care, management or supervision.

Students are encouraged to apply all of the learning to their work context which will enhance their career management skills. The course develops a range of practice skills which the student transfers directly into the work place; these include direct work and consultation skills.

On successful completion of the course you can use the title `Systemic Practitioner. This is a title recognised by the Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice and is highly regarded by employers in social care, education and the voluntary sector.

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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Summary

This course provides an introduction to systemic ideas and their relevance in helping us gain a better understanding of individuals, families and the organisations in which we all function. In particular it will appeal to all those working in the caring professions who have an interest in developing their practice in terms of working with families. Moreover this type of training offers a broader perspective and understanding of how crucial family dynamics are in the development and maintenance of problems. At the same time it provides creative ways of involving the family in finding solutions to their difficulties.

The programme is fully accredited for Foundation Level Training with the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. It therefore forms the first step in training to become a fully qualified Family Therapist. Graduates of the course can go on to undertake the next stages in this training - that of Intermediate Level and Masters Level. In addition to this, students working in a variety of work contexts will also benefit from supplementing their own professional skills with the systemic theory and skills learned on the course. Given the broad appeal and applicability of systemic therapy principles, this course will inform and enhance students' understanding and approach to supporting individuals, couples and organisations, as well as families.

This course is undergoing academic revalidation during 2016/17, and course content/modules are subject to change.

About

The course aims to:

• Introduce the participants to the field of systemic theory, practice and research;
• Introduce the participants to the basic skills, applicable to their work settin;
• Increase participants’ awareness and acceptance of the need for professional practice to be characterised by respectfulness and reflexivity;
• Provide a basis from which the student may proceed towards intermediate level training.

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the development of systemic theory in the context of other therapies
• Evaluate the various schools of thought pertaining to family therapy
• Identify how stages in the family life cycle can impact on family dynamics
• Reflect on the impact of culture on families
• Define and apply the theories underpinning the Milan/ Post-Milan school of family therapy
• Reflect on their personal and professional stage of development and the impact of systemic theory on these
• Identify ways in which systemic theory/ practice can be used in other settings

Structure and content

The course is composed of two modules:

Family Therapy and Systemic Practice 1 (30 credits)

In this module, students are introduced to the major models of family therapy and systemic practice and are given the opportunity to learn and practise specific skills and techniques from systemic psychotherapy. The module offers a broader perspective and understanding of how crucial family dynamics are in the development and maintenance of problems, while also providing creative ways of involving the family in finding solutions to their difficulties. Material is covered via lectures and Peer Groups, where students will have the opportunity to put theory into practice through role play and group discussion.

Family Therapy and Systemic Practice 2 (30 credits)

This module builds on students’ knowledge of the main schools of family therapy, to incorporate considerations of working in different therapeutic contexts, working with bereavement, domestic abuse, and child-focused practice. Students engage in full-day teaching workshops, exploring and experimenting in further systemic principles and techniques. This is cemented in ongoing Peer Groups, where students will expand on experiential learning through associated group tasks.

Attendance

Duration

The course runs from September to June.

Mode of Attendance

The course is taught as two modules:

Module 1 is conducted as one full day (Thursdays) of teaching and seminar work per week across Semester 1 (September to December).

Module 2 runs in Semester 2 (January to June). It is composed of 6 teaching/workshop days (10.00am – 4.30pm), and 5 Peer Group/seminar days (9.30am – 1.00pm). The teaching days and Peer Group days alternate each week (on Mondays).

Placement activity

In addition to the above days on campus, you will be expected to spend at least one day per week throughout the programme in your placement or work context (pre-arranged by you), where you will apply the theory and skills from your training.

Work placement / study abroad

The clinical placement associated with this programme is arranged by students themselves. The training presents a number of opportunities to connect clinical placement with studies on campus, through exploring and assessing students' clinical experiences in this area of practice.

Career options

This course is fully accredited for Foundation Level Training with the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. It therefore forms the first step in training to become a fully qualified Family Therapist. Graduates of the course can go on to undertake the next stages in this training - that of Intermediate Level and Masters Level. In addition to this, students working in a variety of work contexts will also benefit from supplementing their own professional skills with the systemic theory and skills learned on the course. Given the broad appeal and applicability of systemic therapy principles, this course will inform and enhance students' understanding and approach to supporting individuals, couples and organisations, as well as families.

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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.

Visit the website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/family-and-systemic-psychotherapy#about

Course description

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.

Modules

• Advanced Theory In Context (ASS044-6) Compulsory
• Clinical Practice: The Developing Therapist (ASS042-6) Compulsory
• Clinical Practice: The Maturing Therapist (ASS045-6) Compulsory
• Research Dissertation (ASS043-6) Compulsory
• Research Methods (ASS040-6) Compulsory
• Theory In Context (ASS041-6) Compulsory

Assessment

The spirit of the course is developmental learning and the promotion of connections between different aspects of the course and modes of learning. You will build on the skills and learning achieved in your Foundation and Intermediate level courses, taking them to a greater level of complexity.

The course employs a range of assessment strategies which respond to the learning outcomes of the course. The strategies include written assignments that give you the opportunity to show your systemic writing skills and critical use of the literature, particularly in the Research and Theory Units. In extending this assessment strategy, in different units on the course you will produce written analyses of your systemic work with clients showing the development of your application of theory to practice in both your course and agency-based places of work, as well as in vivo presentations. The strength of this strategy is that it draws on a range of strengths, and applies equally well to organisational dilemmas as well as case consultations and gives you the chance to extend your systemic thinking beyond the frame of direct work.

Career/Further study opportunities

This course qualifies you to practice as a family and systemic psychotherapist, and to apply for registration with the UKCP. Depending on your background and first professional qualification you may also have the possibility to apply for designated family therapist posts within the NHS. Following the Munro Report published in 2011 opportunities are beginning to open up for family therapy posts within the Social Care context, and a growing number of independent and third sector agencies are interested in having a qualified family / systemic psychotherapist on their staff, or providing consultation to their work. Other students go on to develop independent practice, often alongside posts within the statutory sector

Qualified practitioners with post-qualifying experience are eligible to apply for further study to become qualified systemic supervisors.

They may also apply for further study at Doctorate level, contributing to the development of knowledge within the field.

Students also use the increased confidence in their written and academic abilities to contribute written articles to journals within the field, for example the Journal of Family Therapy and to further develop their research interests.

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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The different ways in which systemic leadership and consulting practices respond to organisational challenges and personal, relational and development issues is a key element of this course, which will help you develop insights into systemic organisational practice and theory.

Developed for corporate and business leaders in health or care settings, social and community workers, religious leaders and other professionals, it will enable you to take a step-change in your leadership practice.

Intermediate qualifications available:
• Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Masters level

Why choose this course?

• Study how different paradigms influence ways of leading, consulting, coaching, organising and managing change and development in organisations
• Explore current research and advanced scholarship in systemic and related fields, including a range of theoretical frameworks and approaches in relation to systemic practice and research methodologies
• Develop systemic coaching and consultation techniques so that you can ethically engage with, explore and expand possibilities for communication and action in an organisational context
• Gain reflexive leadership skills so you can observe, discuss, critique and draw learning from your own practice, with a particular focus on issues surrounding power, diversity and social difference
• Benefit from the creative use of a range of inquiry techniques in leadership and consulting situations in ways that serve to ethically intervene in unfolding possibilities in organisations.

Course detail

This course on systemic leadership and organisational development is distinctive in its approach to learning, the transformational experience it offers, the development of practical skills and its ethos. To point to some of these features more specifically the course offers:

• Comprehensive and practical systemic frameworks that help you to orientate in complex organisational situations and work effectively and ethically as leader or consultant from within such situations.

• Development of relational sensibilities and skills in listening and talking with others in ways that invite understanding, orientation, direction and commitment.

• An opportunity to make practical ethical contributions to your organisation whilst you are studying, and in the process developing your role and position in relation to others.

• A transformational experience that changes your way of making sense of your organisational `reality and your contribution from within it. The course is likely to also change your sense of professional identity and agency in the world.

• Development of scholarship in systemic social constructionist approaches which are increasingly recognised as contributing to cutting edge thinking and practising in the field of organisation studies and development.

• An opportunity to take stock of the resources and resourcefulness you bring to the course and build them into your learning practice and experience.

Modules

• Designing, Facilitating And Sustaining Systemic Organisational Development (ASS054-6) Compulsory
• Dissertation In Systemic Organisational Practice (ASS056-6) Compulsory
• Systemic Leadership And Organisational Development - Principles And Applications (ASS051-6) Compulsory
• Systemic Research Methods: Positions, Actions And Interventions (ASS055-6) Compulsory
• The Leader And Consultant As Systemic Coach (ASS052-6) Compulsory
• The Reflexive Leader/Consultant Within Organisational Complexity (ASS053-6) Compulsory

Assessment

Central to the learning on the course are assignments for systemic practice which relate directly to the content focus of the respective units. Assignments provide you with a structure to make your learning relevant to your work place, using systemic approaches to make sense of situations, engaging with or collaborating with others, supporting others, facilitating developments and so forth. The course structure facilitates you in the development of your assignments through teaching, practice and formative exercises and tutorials.

Assignments create possibilities to learn from action and reflection and provide the opportunity for valuable feedback for your learning. You will account for assignments in seminar papers, presentations or performances that explore how the assignment connects to the course unit, how systemic practice and theory have been applied, provide insight into the specific practice, explore the developments that emerge from it and the learning it creates.

Assessments of seminar papers and presentations provide an opportunity to consolidate and share learning from the course and practice and provide another level of feedback, reflection and discussion on practice learning.

Careers

The course helps your employability and career management in developing your abilities:

• to account for your practice as leader or consultant facilitating the development of organisations and the achievement of objectives
• to engage with and make sense of a job opportunity from a wider contextual awareness and mindfulness of the organisation as whole.
• to engage with the emergent possibilities rather than only the set properties of a particular job or position
• to use your reflective skills to account for your own practice, abilities and experience and how these contribute to developments in coherent and compelling ways.

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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To register interest and for more information on the programme, please contact Dr Christine Oliver [email protected] m +44 (0)7803 987940 or Dr Martin Miksits [email protected] m +43 (0)660 4444009.

Course information leaflet - PDF 217.0 KB http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/259701/SystemicLeadership032015.pdf

Course Summary

The different ways in which systemic leadership and consulting practices respond to organisational challenges and personal, relational and development issues is a key element of this course, which will help you develop insights into systemic organisational practice and theory.

Developed for corporate and business leaders in health or care settings, social and community workers, religious leaders and other professionals, it will enable you to take a step-change in your leadership practice.

Intermediate qualifications available:

- Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Masters level

Choose Systemic Leadership and Organisational Development MSc at Bedfordshire and:

- Study how different paradigms influence ways of leading, consulting, coaching, organising and managing change and development in organisations
- Explore current research and advanced scholarship in systemic and related fields, including a range of theoretical frameworks and approaches in relation to systemic practice and research methodologies
- Develop systemic coaching and consultation techniques so that you can ethically engage with, explore and expand possibilities for communication and action in an organisational context
- Gain reflexive leadership skills so you can observe, discuss, critique and draw learning from your own practice, with a particular focus on issues surrounding power, diversity and social difference
- Benefit from the creative use of a range of inquiry techniques in leadership and consulting situations in ways that serve to ethically intervene in unfolding possibilities in organisations.

Why choose this course?

This course on systemic leadership and organisational development is distinctive in its approach to learning, the transformational experience it offers, the development of practical skills and its ethos. To point to some of these features more specifically the course offers:

Comprehensive and practical systemic frameworks that help you to orientate in complex organisational situations and work effectively and ethically as leader or consultant from within such situations.

Development of relational sensibilities and skills in listening and talking with others in ways that invite understanding, orientation, direction and commitment.

An opportunity to make practical ethical contributions to your organisation whilst you are studying, and in the process developing your role and position in relation to others.

A transformational experience that changes your way of making sense of your organisational `reality and your contribution from within it. The course is likely to also change your sense of professional identity and agency in the world.

Development of scholarship in systemic social constructionist approaches which are increasingly recognised as contributing to cutting edge thinking and practising in the field of organisation studies and development.

An opportunity to take stock of the resources and resourcefulness you bring to the course and build them into your learning practice and experience.

Career Management Skills

The course helps your employability and career management in developing your abilities:

to account for your practice as leader or consultant facilitating the development of organisations and the achievement of objectives
to engage with and make sense of a job opportunity from a wider contextual awareness and mindfulness of the organisation as whole.
to engage with the emergent possibilities rather than only the set properties of a particular job or position
to use your reflective skills to account for your own practice, abilities and experience and how these contribute to developments in coherent and compelling ways.

Career/Further study opportunities

As participants on this course come from diverse backgrounds and experiences it is impossible to point to specific career moves. However the course is likely to be instrumental unlocking career opportunities in several ways:

The course develops you as relational leader who participates with agency and relational responsiveness in your emerging organisation. It will equip you to facilitate and co-create meaning making in your organisation but also to critically reflect on current organisational practice and promote ethical practice. This includes making sense of the organisation as a whole and in your every day practice acting with relational sensibility, poise and practical wisdom.

You will become an agent for change, development and organisational learning who contributes to your organisation or your clients organisation from different systemic consultancy positions, by becoming a reflexive learner yourself, by critically and appreciatively engaging in the process of organisational development and change, and by designing, facilitating and evaluating development interventions to achieve organisational aims.

You will form an identity as a systemic organisational research practitioner with your own research experience and contribution to ethical organisational practice through inquiry and a critical appreciation of different forms of inquiry as instrumental to the emergence of an organisation and the people in it. This will be paramount to taking responsibility for the design and conduct of further research and research programmes and the promotion of ethical organisational practice through forms of inquiry.

Possibilities for further study: Some graduates decide to expand and deepen their systemic insight and practice through a Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice. Other graduates may want to apply and amalgamate their systemic skills and insight in studying subject matters related to their field of practice e.g. human resource management, business or public administration, education, social work, project management and so on.

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This course is designed to help nurses, social workers, teachers, counsellors and other health professionals develop their knowledge and increase the effectiveness of their work with families, couples and individuals.

It is built on the theoretical and practice frameworks established in the foundation year, and is both an intermediate year of training for systemic psychotherapy and end-stage training for the systemic practitioner.

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

Choose Intermediate Systemic Practice with Families and Couples PgCert and:

• Study professional contexts and the way in which they relate to work with clients, learn about ways of working which meet the needs of disadvantaged client groups, and investigate the legislative frameworks practitioners have to work with
• Explore issues of difference and the promotion and development of anti-oppressive practice which are central to the course’s philosophy and permeate all aspects of your learning
• Develop your familiarity with and confidence in employing approaches that are encompassed by systems theory
• Gain a wide range of critical skills through reading, discussion, student presentations and reviews of current research
• Benefit from a critical approach to theory and practice in the light of inequalities and your clients’ differences in relation to race, class and gender.

Visit the website: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/postgraduate/next-year/intermediate-systemic-practice-with-families-and-couples

Course detail

This course equips participants with a systemic approach to working with individuals, couples and families at intermediate level. About one third of our students finish at this level and add the skills to their professional practice, as a systemic practitioner. About two thirds of our students continue to the MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy.

The inclusion of a wide range of systemic approaches has been considered an important characteristic of our courses across the two courses and the four years of the training. It is part of the philosophy of the course to encourage a critical approach to theory and practice in the light of inequalities and differences of race, class and gender, and to encourage an anti-oppressive approach to working with clients. Developing self-reflexivity, the awareness and utilisation of the person of the practitioner in action, is also a core aspect of the course.

Modules

• Intermediate Systemic Skills With Families And Couples (ASS049-6) Compulsory
• Intermediate Systemic Theory With Families And Couples (ASS048-6) Compulsory

Assessment

The course is composed of graded and pass/fail elements of assessment. The pass/fail assessments do not contribute towards your overall mark, but must be completed to a pass standard. There are two pass/fail elements: your log of 60 hours of systemic practice, and your reflective journal which charts your journey through the course.

Careers

On successful completion of the course you can use the title `Systemic Practitioner. This is a title recognised by the Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice and is highly regarded by employers in social care, education and the voluntary sector.

Funding

For information on available funding, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/scholarships/pg

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow the link: https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/course/applicationform

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If you’re committed to a career as a qualified systemic psychotherapist then this postgraduate certificate (PG Cert) is your first stepping stone. Over two years you’ll study flexibly to fit around your work commitments. The course is also for any professional who wants to develop skills in working systemically with individuals, couples and families.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/part-time/family-therapy-and-systemic-practice

Our PG Cert is the first two years of a four-year qualification for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy. Made up of two modules, our course is accredited by the Association of Family Therapy (AFT), so you can be confident that you’re developing skills that are up-to-date and relevant for a career in family psychotherapy. Each module can be studied alone as part of your continued professional development, or they can be combined as you work towards your full training to become a qualified systemic (family) psychotherapist.

Our course is suitable whatever client groups you work with and will build on your knowledge, beliefs and experiences within your own work context. You’ll develop a deep understanding of systemic thinking and practice and how to put this into practice with clients and families, exploring a range of presenting problems and contexts spanning the lifecycle from birth to old age.

Teaching times: Year 1, Tuesdays 3-8pm. Year 2. Wednesdays 3-8pm. Seventeen weeks of the year during term-time.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/part-time/family-therapy-and-systemic-practice

Careers

By successfully completing your PG Cert you’ll be able to continue your studies to the completion of your MSc, which will then allow you to register as a family and systemic psychotherapist, on the basis that you fulfil AFT requirements. You’ll also be able to refer to yourself as a systemic practitioner, which will be a significant addition to your professional portfolio.

- Links with industry and professional recognition
Our course is carried out at a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit and we have strong links with the local mental health trust, allowing you to come into contact with a wide range of professionals already working in family psychotherapy.

Core modules

An Introduction to Working Systemically with Individuals, Couples and Families
Further Developments in Systemic Practice

Please note that you will need to complete all of the above core modules. This course does not have any optional modules. Modules are subject to change.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed in a range of ways to determine your expertise as an advanced reflective practitioner, including case and paper presentations to peers, a reflective portfolio, a case study and, at the end of the second module, a presentation to peers on a systemic concept of your choice and its application to practice. Assessment is on-going throughout the course and small group learning develops your skills with formative and informal feedback available on an ongoing basis.

Your faculty

The Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education is the largest provider of health, social care and education courses in the East of England, with over 6,000 students from more than 20 countries.

With 95% of our students finding full-time employment within six months of graduating, you can be sure that our courses have been designed with your career in mind. We’ve been educating nurses, midwives and social workers for over 25 years.

At the cutting edge of research, we offer a range of internationally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses taught by friendly and experienced staff.

Designed to enhance your learning experience, our facilities include state-of-the-art simulated skills laboratories that mirror real-life clinical situations and UK hospital wards. Our students also benefit from our Early Childhood Research and Resource Centre; a space in which they can experiment with equipment and play activities.

You’ll study in an exciting, modern faculty which has strong links with regional, national and international organisations, including healthcare trusts, schools and academic institutions.

Your enthusiasm. Our passion. Your best foot forward.

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The masters in counselling award provides a framework for theoretical understanding and skills development in the application of a systemic approach to working with individual adults and children, couples and families as well as supervision of counselling practice. Alongside these frameworks, students can enjoy a detailed analysis of models and practices in supervision, including an understanding of wider systemic influences that impact practice.

Systemic approaches to psychotherapy and family therapy have been the cornerstone of the Family Institute’s clinical practice, teaching and research since 1967. The Institute was the first centre in the UK to develop these approaches to problems in living. Forty years on, progress in family therapy has occurred at a rapid pace. The application of systems thinking and practice in health and social care contexts has grown considerably. It has, therefore, become essential to ensure the highest standards of practice, training and qualification in applying systemic approaches effectively within these fields.

“The course allowed me to find my own way around the myriad of counselling and psychotherapy approaches, and to appreciate the theoretical support of such approaches.” Ann Jones, BSc Systemic Counselling

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/751-msc-systemic-counselling

What you will study

You will study the following modules:
- Foundation in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice
- Using Systemic Practice in the Work Setting
- Research Methods
- Counselling Supervision and Consultation

The programme aims to offer students opportunity to:
- develop in-depth understanding of conceptual frameworks underpinning systemic theory and practice applied to counselling;

- understand and utilise methods of integration in order to develop their own personal epistemology in counselling practice;

- develop skills in responding to challenging or complex issues that may arise in counselling;

- develop and promote appropriate treatment responses and skills in working with areas new to their experience and knowledge (e.g. serious mental illness, couples, children, families, elders, refugees, forensic settings, new theoretical developments, methods and techniques);

- develop knowledge and practice of appropriate supervision in counselling;

- develop an understanding of organisational development and the interaction between relevant wider systems in the practice of supervision, for example, management and governance of services;

- promote high professional standards.

Learning and teaching methods

The award integrates practice-based evidence with evidence-based practice and offers excellent training in research methods. You will study through a mixture of lectures, group discussion via action learning and independent study. Assessment will involve directed study assignments, analysis of practice in supervision and video or audio review.

Practice based learning is a central component to this award and is embedded in the philosophy of the award. The award has been designed to develop the professional requirements of counsellors from a variety of professional backgrounds and takes into account current British Psychological Society criteria for Chartered Counselling Psychologists.

Staff delivering this award have extensive experience of designing and teaching Family Therapy and Systemic Practice programmes at postgraduate level (UKCP accredited) as well as Counselling programmes leading to a BSc Hons in Counselling (BACP accredited). The Institute is a member of the European Family Therapy Association and also the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

There is an increase in the demand for counsellors and there is a corresponding need for supervision and continuing professional development. The demands on counsellors to practice to the highest ethical, theoretical and practical standards increase as we move towards statutory regulation (possibly by 2012). In the context of increasing focus on evidence-based practice, the practitioner’s relationship to the scientist’s practitioner model will influence how they locate their practice and thinking within wider networks of research and collegial exchange of good practice, not only as practitioners but also as supervisors.

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The Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice covers the first two years of family therapy training and combines both Foundation and Intermediate level training in systemic practice. Each level of training is accredited by the Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice

The programme is multi-disciplinary and covers aspects of working with families in clinical settings, as well as wider applications of systemic thinking and practice. It is suitable for professionals working in nursing, psychiatry, social work, clinical psychology, voluntary organisations and related fields.

The programme is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice and successful completion meets the training requirement for application to the qualifying course in Systemic Family Therapy leading to UKCP registration.

More information

The Leeds Family Therapy and Research Centre has been training therapists for over 20 years to help individuals, couples and families find ways of tackling their problems.

You can study this subject at other levels:

• Foundation course in Family Therapy
• Family Therapy (Intermediate)
• Systemic Family Therapy MSc - this course will not recruit again until 2019

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and as such fulfils the training requirements for Foundation and Intermediate Level training in Systemic Practice. Read more on the Association for Family Therapy website.

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Family systems perspectives on theory and practice have been rapidly developing across a wide range of professional disciplines and practice contexts. If you work with adults, children, couples or within the family healthcare field, this is your opportunity to further your knowledge and develop the skills to practice therapeutically at a specialised and advanced level using systemic theoretical frameworks.

This award integrates taught clinical practice, theory, personal development and research. It forms Years Three to Four of The Family Institute’s psychotherapy training programme and builds on the Institute’s long experience of teaching psychotherapy. It is designed to meet UKCP, UK Association for Family Therapy and European training standards.

“I have had a good experience of studying other courses. I enjoyed the practical aspect of this course. I also enjoyed spending time at the Family Clinic within the University.” – Tracy Brain, MSc Systemic Psychotherapy, Health Visitor

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/356-msc-systemic-psychotherapy

What you will study

Year One:
- Systemic Approaches to Clinical Practice
- Systemic Psychotherapy in Context
- Integrating Systemic Theory, Practice and Research

Year Two:
- Communication, Change and the Development of Therapeutic Practice
- Second-Order Cybernetics and Complex Systemic Organisation

Learning and teaching methods

Curriculum hours of study are designed to meet national Association for Family Therapy (AFT) and European Family Therapy Association (EFTA) standards. Live supervised practice is based at the Institute’s clinic. Years One and Two comprise 40 taught days in a pattern of fortnightly two-day blocks, with a full week to start each year.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

Assessment methods:
You will be assessed through lecturer/supervisor assessment, self-assessment, summative and formative assignments. Emphasis is on reflective practice. You must pass both theory and practice components of each module.

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Why choose this course:

• Our courses are highly regarded by professionals working within family therapy, and this course is accredited by the Association of Family Therapy (AFT).

• When you complete this course you will be able to register as a systemic psychotherapist or family therapist with the UK Council Psychotherapy (UKCP).

• With over ten years' experience of teaching systemic psychotherapy, our experienced teaching team is keen to pass its expertise on to you.

• If you have already completed the PG Cert Systemic Thinking and Practice or have passed an Association of Family Therapy (AFT) accredited intermediate course, this course is ideal for you.

About the course:

This two year part time course offers you the flexibility of continuing your professional development without taking a break from your career.

In your first year you'll study for the PG Dip Systemic Thinking and Practice, which includes a weekly supervised training clinic for 40 weeks.

In your second year the teaching will be focused on the MSc Systemic Psychotherapy, which also includes a weekly supervised training clinic for 40 weeks of the year.

You'll need to study both years to form the MSc Systemic Psychotherapy.

You'll be taught in our Clinical Skills Suite, which is a working clinical environment where you'll be able to learn and develop your practical and research skills. The cost for live clinical supervision for both years is covered by the course fees.

You'll study some parts of the course with students on other psychotherapy courses, so you'll have the opportunity to critically appraise systemic practice and other psychotherapy and counselling models.

You may be eligible for Learning Beyond Registration (LBR) funding if you choose this course, contact us for more details.

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This PhD equivalent is aimed at people wanting to undertake research directly related to their practice. Practitioners coming on to this course will have an experienced systemic appreciation of the use of systemic ideas in leadership, therapy, training, organisational development, supervision and community work. This course encourages new ways of inquiring into systemic practice, into the fluid and shifting connections in the reflexive shaping of a) systemic theory and practice and b) systemic research theory and practice. This course is for advanced practitioners who want to benefit from membership of a systemic research school.

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Systemic approaches to psychotherapy and family therapy have been the cornerstone of The Family Institute’s clinical practice, teaching and research since 1967. The Institute was the first centre in the UK to develop these approaches to problems in living. Forty years on, progress in family therapy has occurred at a rapid pace. The application of systems thinking and practice in health and social care contexts has grown considerably. It has, therefore, become essential to ensure the highest standards of practice, training and qualification in applying systemic approaches effectively within these fields.

This course will develop knowledge and skills that you can apply to your area of practice. It is ideal if you want to enhance your existing expertise, gain new skills for career development or a career change, or address CPD aspects of professional qualifications. The Family Institute attracts a wide range of professionals to its courses, offering the added opportunity of shared learning between health and social care professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Our course and its components are also pre-requisites for further clinical training in psychotherapy or counselling, and aspects of this course may be required if you want to work in various therapeutic contexts. People undertaking counselling psychology training have used this course as part of their portfolio submission. This award also includes the curriculum for foundation and intermediate level training. As such, it satisfies the first two years of a four-year postgraduate training programme leading to professional qualification as a UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered Family and Systemic Psychotherapist.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/310-postgraduate-certificate-systemic-counselling

What you will study

You will study the following modules:
- Foundations in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice
- Using Systemic Family Therapy Approaches in the Work Setting

New modules are being developed due to restructuring of this course.

Learning and teaching methods

An adult learning approach characterises the learning environment and actively involves a variety of learning activities, including interactive tutorials, student-led seminars, critical incident analysis, use of resource-based learning materials and a variety of group-work activities.

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Why choose this course:

• This course builds on 11 years' experience of training in Systemic Practice at Derby.

• Our course team are skilled systemic therapists who practise in a variety of agency settings and so offer contemporary theory and practice.

• It's aimed at multi-agency, multi-professional participants who work with a range of client groups presenting a range of challenges, symptoms, issues or difficulties.

• There's an emphasis on creating a safe group context both in the academic and clinical aspects of the course, to facilitate learning.

• The research appraisal half module is delivered jointly with participants from Postgraduate Certificate programmes in different models, for example Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy which offers the opportunity to view research issues from many perspectives.

• The course is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy (AFT) at Intermediate level.

• Following successful completion of the course, you would be eligible to carry on training to Clinical MSc level.

About the course:

The course would be of interest to you if you wish to extend your knowledge of systemic practice and if you have successfully completed the University Advanced Diploma in Systemic Practice and Family Therapy or equivalent Foundation level training. The Postgraduate Certificate will enhance your knowledge and skills and is accredited as intermediate level training. It's taught in a modular programme.

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Summary

The programme provides an opportunity for students to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas of applied psychology related to mental health practice and research. It trains and equips students wishing to:

• Enter further professional training in Clinical, Counselling, Educational or Forensic Psychology;
• Become more employable for positions in the public and private sector (such as Assistant and Associate Psychologist posts, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner posts, and Research Assistant/Analyst posts);
• Pursue PhD research in the area of mental health.

In addition, the course has gained full AFT accreditation for Foundation Level training in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, and full BPS accreditation for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner training. These can be taken as routes within the MSc programme.

This course is undergoing academic revalidation during 2016/17, and course content/modules are subject to change. 

Structure and content

To complete the Masters programme, students are required to successfully complete 180 university credits. Programme Routes: There are three different ‘routes’ that students can take during their time on the programme, depending on their interest or the experience they would like to gain from their training. These routes have been designed because feedback from students suggests that some people like to maintain a broad range of skills and experience, whereas others prefer to focus on a particular area of practice. The route students choose may depend on the kind of work or further training that they want to pursue beyond the MSc course itself (note that all 3 routes include the carrying out of an MSc Research Project):

• The ‘Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner’ route – This route incorporates training as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), which is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society. PWPs work in primary care mental health services, delivering low intensity psychological interventions (with a CBT focus) for people experiencing mild to moderate emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. This is a well-established role in mental health services in England, and services in Northern Ireland are developing to include a focus on this way of working. Students taking this route will spend time on clinical placement during the course, arranged by the course team (more on this below).
• The main course route, entitled ‘Mental Health and Psychological Therapies’ – This route offers a breadth of experience in theory and skills training, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Family Therapy & Systemic Practice skills modules, Advanced Research Methods, and a choice amongst key Mental Health and Professional Issues modules.
• The ‘Mental Health with Family Therapy and Systemic Practice’ route – this incorporates elements of the main course route (e.g. CBT, Mental Health modules, research methods), as well as Foundation Level training in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (fully accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice). The training focuses on approaches implemented when supporting families, but also on how these approaches and concepts can be applied to working with individuals. Students on this route must have secured their own work in a therapeutic setting (to enable them to practice systemic therapy skills), including supervision by an accredited therapist.

Professional recognition

British Psychological Society (BPS)  

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) against the requirements for qualification as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

Work placement / study abroad

The programme has a number of opportunities to connect clinical placement experiences with studies on campus. The BPS-accredited Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Training (which composes part of one of the course routes), includes a 9-month clinical placement in low-intensity psychological therapies services, arranged by the course team. The AFT-accredited Foundation Level Training in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (which composes part of another course route), includes a module that explores and assesses students' clinical experiences in this area of practice - placement for this module is arranged by students themselves. Finally, the MSc presents a further placement opportunity for students who have completed the course, in the form of a 15-credit standalone placement module ('Clinical Placement in Applied Psychology'). A selection of clinical placements have been secured in Psychology Services in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, in specialisms including Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Paediatric Psychology, Older Adults, Personality Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Services. This post-MSc module is only open to those students who have completed the MSc at Ulster, and students who enrol on this module will be working as the equivalent of Assistant Psychologists on a voluntary basis in these services (length of placements are typically between 6 months and one year).

Career options

Currently, our graduating students are successful in acquiring Assistant Psychologist positions, which with experience is allowing people to apply for Associate Psychologist positions. Others are successful in gaining entry onto Professional Doctorate programmes in Clinical, Counselling and Educational Psychology, or PhD scholarships in Psychology across UK and Ireland. In addition, students who undertake the accredited Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) training strand within the course will be able to seek accreditation with the BPS for working as a PWP. Finally, students who undertake AFT Foundation Level Training will have completed Stage 1 of 3 in their training to become a qualified Systemic Psychotherapist.

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