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The Tavistock and portman, NHS Foundation Trust

FAQs: Child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy (M80) training

General questions

What is Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy?

Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists (CAPTs) are highly skilled mental health professionals who work with children, young people and their families. Rigorous clinical training enables CAPTs to develop the necessary skills and competences to assess, treat and work with the 0-25 age range, their parents, carers and networks.

This training is longer than most psychological professions to enable the breadth and depth of skills to develop that are required for complex work with children and young people and their families. CAPTs are trained to work with a wide range of mental health conditions including highly disturbed emotional states, are able to sustain relationships with the child or young person and carefully observe what they might be communicating non-verbally through their behaviour and play.

CAPTs seek to look beneath the surface of difficult emotions, behaviours and relationships to help their patients make sense of their experiences, to better understand themselves and their problems. Over time the child or young person can begin to express emotions in less disturbed ways, are likely to feel less anxious or depressed, more able to learn, feel better equipped to sustain relationships and return to the normal process of emotional development.

What is involved in the training?

Training to become a CAPT comprises our two-year pre-clinical course Perinatal, child, adolescent and family work: a psychoanalytic observational approach (M7) or an equivalent course with similar learning outcomes. This course helps to develop an observational, reflective stance, which alongside an understanding of child development and the manifestations of the unconscious mind, is the core of the CAPT approach.  

This is followed by an NHS-funded, four-year, full-time clinical training and a Professional Doctorate qualification, such as our Child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy (M80). The programme includes teaching, supervision, personal psychoanalysis and a salaried training post (on NHS Band 6) in a child and adolescent mental health service. 

The training provides a thorough understanding of child development, childhood psychopathology and psychoanalytic psychotherapeutic technique enhanced by research knowledge and skills alongside extensive clinical work. Trainees work intensively (3 times a week) under supervision, with three patients of different ages and learn to apply the understanding gained in this experience to other interventions, such as once weekly therapy cases, brief work, consultations, work with parents, families, groups, teams and networks.

How long is the doctoral element of the course and training?

It is a full-time, four-year programme of integrated study, validated by the University of Essex, leading to the award of professional doctorate in child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy. 

In addition is the clinical work in an appropriate work/training placement and this includes 3 days a week working at a training placement in addition to one full study day (Wednesday) at the Tavistock Centre.

Where can I find out more about child and adolescent psychotherapy?

In addition to our website, the following sources provide information about child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy:

Pre-application

What prior academic qualifications do I need to be eligible to apply to this course?

You would need to complete our two year pre-clinical course, Perinatal, child, adolescent and family work: a psychoanalytic observational approach (M7), or an equivalent course with similar learning outcomes. You can apply to the M80 doctoral training during your second year of study (or equivalent), provided you have completed and passed the course by the time you start the training. 

In addition, you need to have an Honours degree*. If you do not have an undergraduate Honours degree you will need to complete and pass the M7 dissertation before you start the M80 training.

*Please note: If you have an international degree you will need to apply to NARIC to verify your degree equivalence in the United Kingdom.

What are the pre-requirements for application to the Tavistock M80 training?

In order to apply to the course, you will need:

1. An Honours degree or equivalent*

2. Successful completion of the pre-clinical course Perinatal, child, adolescent and family work: a psychoanalytic observational approach (M7) or an equivalent course with similar learning outcomes to M7. This course provides a foundation for the clinical training. As part of your M80 application, you will need to provide the following academic papers submitted for the M7 course: 

3. Work experience: substantial experience with at least two of the three age-groups (pre-school, primary school and adolescents), and ideally some supplementary experience with the third age group. 

4. Analysis: Personal psychoanalysis (usually four or five sessions per week) is an essential component of the Child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy training. It is at the heart of supporting the trainee’s personal and professional development and strongly contributes towards their continuing development after training. 

Applicants are ​strongly encouraged to begin personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis (for six months or one year) before they apply to the training as this is an important developmental opportunity.  In some circumstances this might be in the form of once or twice weekly therapy and might be accessed remotely through online technologies.  Personal tutors and/or potential training schools will be able to think with applicants about their options including advice about suitable ​accredited analysts and psychotherapists and help for people with limited funds to access some financial support.

We are committed to widening access to the training and to build on the diversity of our training groups.  We do understand that some applicants will not have the opportunity to start personal therapy, for financial, geographical and other reasons, and we do not want this to be a barrier to making an application. 

Applicants who have not started in personal therapy should, as a minimum, be expected to have an understanding about the importance of a personal psychoanalysis for undertaking psychoanalytic work. This includes thinking about oneself and one’s own readiness for what this might entail, in terms of the exploration of ​one’s own conscious and unconscious thoughts and feelings. This can feel quite challenging and thinking about managing one’s own anxiety or other responses is often a part of the process for all applicants. It is a challenging part of psychoanalytic working as one has to think about and manage one’s own responses and anxieties.  If needed, we encourage applicants to contact us, so we can help with thinking about this.

Training schools need to assess candidates’ suitability for the training, on the basis that they can demonstrate they meet the requirements for clinical training, which includes being ready to take part in, and learn from, personal psychoanalysis. This will be explored as part of the recruitment and selection process for new trainees.

All accepted applicants need to be in a position to start their personal analysis at the beginning of their training,​ i.e. at the start of the Autumn Term at the latest, or they will not be able to take up their place. There is an accredited list of analysts who are suitably experienced for working with our trainees. We have a separate process to help identify a suitable analytic vacancy. This can take several months, so it is important to contact us early on, in relation to starting before training, or to be ready to start at the beginning of the course. 

5. References: from your M7 or equivalent course tutor and teachers and from your work place.

6. Personal suitability 

We require that trainees are strong in personal suitability, by which we mean that you can demonstrate:

Please note that this does not guarantee a place on the training. 

*If you have an international degree you will need to apply to NARIC to verify your degree equivalence in the United Kingdom.

**The Infant Observation and Work Discussion Papers are required for the selection process and a discussion of some aspects of the papers will form part of the interview. If you are in the 2nd year of M7, you can provide the 1st year paper in place of one paper (either WD or Inf Obs) and a draft of the 2nd year paper of the other. Please be aware that you will need to provide a draft of the paper you had not submitted at a time agreed during your interview – about 2-3 weeks after the interview and before decisions of acceptance are made by the M80 course team. 

I have studied on a similar course to M7, do I still need to complete the Tavistock and Portman course?

If you completed pre-clinical training at another institution you might need to complete some of our M7 modules that are lacking from your previous course in order to satisfy the M7 learning outcomes and be eligible to apply to M80. 

Occasionally applicants have been accepted without completing all modules of M7 but this depends on what has been studied, work experience and personal suitability. What this involves will vary and is agreed on a case by case basis.

What work experience do I need prior to applying?

You need to have gained adequate work experience: Substantial experience working in a professional or voluntary capacity, with at least two of the following age groups and ideally, some supplementary experience with the third age: Ages 0-5y, 6-11y and 12-25y.

This experience may be gained in a wide range of occupations and settings. For some this might be full-time or part-time over several years whilst others have gained valuable learning and personal development from a shorter but more intensive experience of work. During the interview we will assess whether you are able to demonstrate sufficient learning from these experiences to undertake the training.

As a minimum, the ACP recommends applicants have 500 hours of work experience across the ages. You are also expected to have experience working with a range of professionals. This would usually be as part of a team such as in the NHS, schools, social care, youth justice but could be in a wide range of settings where experience of working with colleagues from different backgrounds and disciplines has been gained.

Experience does not need to be with a clinical population but must consist of direct face-to-face contact with children and young people. This can be individual or group work.

I don’t live in London. Can I still train with the Tavistock and Portman?

Many of our trainees live and work outside London but train at the Tavistock. Coming from as far afield as Northern Ireland, Cornwall (and even once from Paris!), they travel to the clinic each Wednesday to take part in seminars and to receive supervision.

What is the application process for the 2024-25 academic year?

 Applicant checklist: 

  1. I have a UK Honours degree or equivalent. 
  2. I have or will have passed M7 or equivalent.
  3. I have substantial experience of working with at least two of the three age-groups (Ages 0-5y, 6-11y and 12-25y)
  4. I will have been in Analysis or ready to start Analysis when I start the training and have checked with the Tavistock that my analyst is accredited by the Tavistock/ACP.
  5. I have checked my legal position as an overseas student. 
  6. My M7 tutor and job referees support my application.

Personal analysis requirements before and during your training

Do I need to be in personal analysis before applying?

Personal psychoanalysis (usually four or five sessions per week) is an essential component of the Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy training. It is at the heart of supporting the trainee’s personal and professional development and strongly contributes towards their continuing development after training.

Applicants for training are strongly encouraged to begin personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis (for six months or one year) before they apply to the training as this is an important developmental opportunity. In some circumstances this might be in the form of once or twice weekly therapy. Personal tutors and/or potential training schools will be able to think with applicants about their options including advice about suitable accredited analysts and psychotherapists and help for people with limited funds to access some financial support.
We are committed to widening access to the training and to build on the diversity of our training groups. We do understand that some applicants will not have the opportunity to start personal therapy, for financial, geographical and other reasons, and we do not want this to be a barrier to making an application.

Applicants who have not started in personal therapy should, as a minimum, have an understanding about the importance of a personal psychoanalysis for undertaking psychoanalytic work. This includes thinking about oneself and one’s own readiness for what this might entail, in terms of the exploration of one’s own conscious and unconscious thoughts and feelings.  This can feel quite challenging and thinking about managing one’s own anxiety or other responses is often a part of the process, for all applicants. It is a challenging part of psychoanalytic working as one has to think about and manage one’s own responses and anxieties.  If needed, we encourage applicants to contact us, so we can help with thinking about this.

Training schools need to assess candidates’ suitability for the training, on the basis that they can demonstrate they meet the requirements for clinical training, which includes being ready to take part in and learn from personal psychoanalysis.  This will be explored as part of the recruitment and selection process for new trainees.

All accepted applicants need to be in a position to start their personal analysis at the beginning of their training, i.e. the latest at the start of the Autumn Term, or they will not be able to take up their place. There is an accredited list of Analysts who are suitably experienced for working with our trainees. We have a separate process to help identify a suitable analytic vacancy. This can take several months, so it is important to contact us early on, in relation to starting before training, or to be ready to start at the beginning of the course.

How do I find a recognised analyst?

As a Tavistock and Portman M7 student you should initially discuss this with your M7 personal tutor and think through the financial and time implications. If you are encouraged to apply to the training you can send an analyst request by completing a ‘Request for analytic consultation’ form (ask your tutor for the form) You will then receive a name and contact details of a psychoanalyst you can approach.

Applicants who are not M7 students can also be helped to find an analyst. They would need to contact the M80 administrator in order for their request to be forwarded to the M80 tutor team.

How do I find out if my current analyst is considered suitable?

You will need to use the ‘Request for analytic consultation’ form. Ask your tutor for a form or contact the M80 course administrator (if you are not an M7 student) who will forward your request to the M80 tutor team. Use the from to provide the name and address of your current analyst and if they are not accredited by the Tavistock/ACP we can discuss options with you, i.e. changing analyst or considering whether your analyst could be accredited, etc.   

Does my analyst give me a reference?

Your analyst is not asked for a character reference. However, after a period of time in analysis, during your first year of training, your analyst will be asked to confirm if you are ready to work with intensive cases. 

Trainee employment and funding

What is a training placement?

During the four years of training most trainees work in funded NHS posts or independent services that are approved as training placements.

Once you are accepted onto the course, you will be given details of available posts you can apply to and will be interviewed as part of the process. Posts are competitive so it is advisable to apply to a few. The number of training posts available varies each year but there are usually a number of placements across London, East England and South East England. 

In some parts of the South West, students attending the M7 course have funded posts in CAMHS as Assistant Psychotherapists and as well as a salary they receive help with analytic fees. Once they successfully complete the M7 course and have been accepted onto the M80 course they continue as trainees in the same placements.

What do I do in my training placement?

You will undertake clinical work under supervision (3 days a week) as a member of a clinical multidisciplinary team, for example in CAMHS. In addition to taking part in team meetings, you will engage in:

What happens if I have been accepted onto the training but was unsuccessful in securing a post?

You can defer the training and apply to posts again the following year.

Who pays my study fees and analysis during the training?

Fees are paid by the NHS. You will receive a monthly salary that is equivalent to NHS Band 6. You also receive a monthly contribution towards your analytic fees to be claimed monthly.

Can I work part time in my placement?

At present, trainees work full time for the duration of the four-year training.

Self funding and overseas applicants

As an overseas student can I apply to the training?

Students from outside the UK must arrange their immigration status before they apply. It is important that they check their legal position carefully, taking external advice if necessary. Length of residency in the UK needs to be at least 3 years at the start of the course – this applies to EU and non-EU citizens with unlimited leave to remain. EU citizens will need to evidence ‘settled status’ or ‘pre-settled status’.

As an overseas student can I apply to a training post?

Training posts are available only for those who are eligible to work in the NHS once qualified. We welcome overseas applicants who are in a position to self-fund, but it is important to be realistic about the cost.

If I am accepted onto M80 but not eligible to apply for a post can I self-fund?

If you meet the entry criteria for the course but are a non-UK resident and so not eligible for NHS funding, or you have not secured a funded place, you may be considered on a self-funding basis. These places are limited and considered on a case-by-case basis. We welcome overseas applicants who are in a position to self-fund, but it is important to be realistic about the cost. These students will usually undertake their clinical work at the Tavistock and Portman or in a voluntary capacity in another NHS or third sector setting.

How can I become a clinical associate?

Qualified psychotherapists, or those from a related profession such as psychiatry or psychology who already have significant clinical experience, may occasionally be eligible to join the course as a clinical associate in order to revisit or top-up their previous training.

Those wishing to explore this route should discuss their situation with the course lead.

Post-qualification

What qualification will I receive after completing the course?

M80 is an academic course leading to the award of Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. It is also an NHS Professional Training leading to qualification as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, as recognised by the Association of Child Psychotherapists and the Department of Health. 

Successful completion of the course to M. Prof. level after 4 years leads to eligibility for Membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) which is the registering body for the profession.

Where can I work once I am qualified as a child psychotherapist?

Qualified Child Psychotherapists can work in public services such as the NHS or voluntary sectors. Given that training posts are fully funded by the NHS the expectation is that post-qualification you would work in the NHS or the voluntary sector. However, you are eligible to work in private practice. 

It is strongly recommended that Child and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists continue to have supervision post-qualification. This is expected by the ACP and part of continued CPD post-qualification.

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