BPC Kitemark awarded

Complex Trauma: The Tavistock Model has been awarded a kitemark by the BPC – allowing graduates to be designated ‘Specialist Trauma Psychotherapists’.

Our clinical, post-qualification training in Complex Trauma has been awarded a “kitemark” by the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC), following a formal accreditation visit in December 2025 and full board approval on 15 May 2026. Complex Trauma: the Tavistock Model (D19) becomes one of very few courses recognised by the BPC in this way – underlining both the quality and importance of the training.

During their accreditation visit, BPC representatives met with senior course leads, members of the Tavistock Trauma Service leadership team, supervisors and teaching staff, and current trainees. Their accreditation report praised the clarity and rigour of the clinical model, the depth of theoretical grounding, and the containment afforded to both trainees and patients, in line with the complexity of the work. The uniqueness of the course was also acknowledged, with a recognition that “the training fills an important and currently under-addressed gap within psychodynamic and psychoanalytic training, where trauma – particularly complex and developmental trauma – is often insufficiently theorised or clinically taught”. The visiting team unanimously recommended the course for kitemarking, describing it as “well delivered, clinically rigorous, and a valuable contribution to psychodynamic trauma training in the UK”.

Reflecting on the BPC’s decision, course lead Emily Mercer said: “We are delighted to receive this endorsement of our training. The accreditation recognises the growing need for specialist trauma training that is both clinically rigorous and deeply reflective, particularly in relation to complex and developmental trauma. We are especially pleased that the visiting team recognised the course’s strong psychoanalytic foundation and thoughtful integration of wider trauma-informed approaches, as well as the emphasis placed on supervision, containment and reflective clinical practice. Our aim has always been to create a training that supports clinicians to think deeply, remain reflective in the face of clinical complexity, and feel well held while undertaking this demanding and meaningful work.”

Based in our award-winning, multimodal trauma service, Complex Trauma: the Tavistock Model (D19) offers accredited psychotherapists and psychoanalysts the opportunity to specialise in trauma work. Combining a clinical placement, academic programme and experiential component, the course aims to train practitioners who can hold complex material, work safely with high‑risk presentations, and integrate analytic thinking into a range of clinical settings.

Now that the kitemark accreditation is confirmed, graduates of the Complex Trauma: the Tavistock Model (D19) course will be able to use the title of ‘Specialist Trauma Psychotherapist’ – marking a significant expansion of recognised professional pathways in the trauma field.

Tavistock Trauma Service Lead Jo Stubley commented: “We are delighted to have “D19” students working with our team. They bring their own knowledge and experience of psychotherapy, as well their passion to learn more about trauma and dissociation. We recognise the growing need in the helping professions to train further in trauma and enhance their practice, and we are continuing to expand and develop our training offering to support this.”