ObjectivesWe aim to offer a contemporary course relevant to a career in Integrative Child Psychotherapy through a thorough synthesis of clinical, academic, personal and professional development. This includes: -preparing you to be able to work therapeutically with the highest of ethical standards, with children in a variety of health, education, social services and private sector contexts -providing opportunities to explore and examine how to prevent troubled children from spoiling their lives through unprocessed feelings and emotional and behavioural difficulties -enabling you to acquire the ability to integrate theoretical concepts with practical skills leading to effective application of core competencies in clinical practice -enabling you to develop clinical skills to be able to assess the emotional needs of child clients and to respond to these effectively -enabling you to help children process their feelings in such a way that empowers them to form meaningful and enriching connections with self and others -ensuring that you have acquired the reflective and evaluative skills necessary to monitor and appraise effectively your clinical work with children In achieving these aims you will be taught an in depth theory and practice of Integrative Child Psychotherapy. You will therefore be enabled to engage with children; to provide accurate empathy, and to work effectively with any feelings which are transferred on to them. Emphasis throughout the course is on the synthesis of knowledge and experience and the relationship of theory and practice.
Entry requirementsA first degree from a British university or equivalent, a qualification in a helping profession or in education, or a minimum of five years' professional experience in therapy or related or relevant field with the proven academic ability to work at Masters level standard. Candidates should also hold the Certificate in The Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts from The Institute, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised psychotherapy training college, and should have completed of at least one year's in-depth personal psychotherapy. In addition, we ask that applicants have at least one year's experience of working with children in a responsible role. There is a minimum age of 25, and candidates will be assessed through a written application, through attendance at one of the Institute's taster days, assessment in two therapeutic workshops and interview(s). Before working with children all candidates will also undergo a police check.
Academic titleMA Integrative Child Psychotherapy
Course descriptionCourse structure
The modules include:
-Clinical Skills
-Principles in Child Therapeutic Practice, Ethics and Child Protection
-Image Metaphor and Inner World through Clinical Work in Child Psychotherapy
-Psychotherapeutic Concepts: The Understanding of Babyhood and Childhood Experience
-Parent Infant Interaction-Neurobiology, Observation and Research
-Child Psychiatry and Child Mental Health
-Preparation for Professional Practice (Dissertation, Case Study and Research module)
Assessment
The assessment items include case presentations, clinical seminars, a parent-child interaction log (baby-parent observation), a dissertation with a case study of clinical work with children, a taped transcript of therapy sessions with children and examinations.
Career opportunities
The Institute is the only higher educational establishment in the country running a course of this kind. Successful completion results in an MA from London Metropolitan University. Students are successful as Integrative Arts Psychotherapists in private practice, NHS Trusts, The Prison Service, Education Authorities, Social Services, Charitable Trusts and CAMS.
Attendance & duration
Part-time (day): three years one day a week (Tues) plus a few weekend days for first two years and then once a month for the last year