About this course

Systemic family therapy involves working therapeutically with individuals together with their families and/or significant others, enabling the use of individuals’ relationships as a resource. It can sometimes include relational work with individuals, psychoeducational approaches and multiple family groups.

This course will allow you to develop an understanding of systemic ideas and skills which can be applied to your work. You will learn how to reflect on the personal and professional dimensions of your work and start to identify and understand multiple contexts. This will widen your perspective when thinking about and reflecting on your clinical practice.

The course consists of the following elements:

• theoretical seminars
• application seminars
• whole-day events
• personal tutorials
• clinical work

Theoretical seminars combine theoretical and experiential learning with an emphasis on interactional learning. In smaller application groups, you will be expected to present your own experience using systemic theoretical concepts.

You will undertake presentations on personal and professional issues, illustrating an aspect of systemic theory.

You will attend two full-day events which include presentations and workshops by systemic clinicians.

For successful completion of the foundation year it is necessary to have completed the following clinical work with families/couples of three or more generations, either in a professional role or as part of a reflecting team:

• six sessions of work with families of two or more generations, and/or couple work, in a setting where you are able to use and/or apply systemic ideas
• two case presentations from your clinical work setting/placement

Summary of foundation year

Term one

You will reflect on yourself in relation to your family of origin, your present family, and your relationships with family members and those outside the family. Genogram theory and practice will be introduced in order to help you develop skills and knowledge which you will link to a number of social differences in order to explore your understanding and experience of difference.

Term two

You will focus on the development of systemic theory and practice, and will be encouraged to critically evaluate different schools of thought and different theoretical positions. You will explore your own positioning in relation to these and the application of theoretical ideas to individuals, families and organisations.

Term three

You will begin to focus on specific client groups such as working with adults, or working with a family where someone has a disability. This will also include completing a genogram interview with a clinical family from your placement.

Across the year you will apply systemic theory to practice through role play, consultations, audio and video review and work carried out in your placement or work setting. This course is offered at foundation and intermediate levels.  Students who successfully complete the foundation can consider progressing to the intermediate level.