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The Tavistock and portman, NHS Foundation Trust

FAQs for Child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy (M80)

Here are are some of the most commonly asked questions

General questions

What is Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy?

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists (CAPT) 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. 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, more able to learn, feel better equipped to sustain relationships and return to the normal process of emotional development.

What does the training compromise of?

This training comprises of our two year pre-clinical course Working with children, young people & families: a psychoanalytic observational approach (M7) or an equivalent course with similar learning outcomes. This course helps develop an observational, reflective stance which alongside an understanding of child development and the unconscious mind manifestations, 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, 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 with three patients of different ages and learn to apply the understanding gained in this experience to other interventions, such as brief work, consultations, work with families, groups, teams and networks.

How long is the doctoral element 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 or 3.5 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 information about child and adolescent psychotherapy?

In addition to our website the following sources provide information about Child 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 Working with children, young people & families: a psychoanalytic observational approach (M7) or an equivalent course with similar learning outcomes to this course. You can apply to the M80 doctoral training during your second year in (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:; https://www.naric.org.uk/naric/About%20Us.aspx

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 training Working with children, young people & families: a psychoanalytic observational approach (M7) or an equivalent course with similar learning outcomes to M7. This course provides a foundation for the clinical training. With your M80 application form you will need to provide 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 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 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 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, 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. 

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

6. Personal suitability 

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: https://www.naric.org.uk/naric/About%20Us.aspx

**The Infant Observation and Work Discussion Papers are required for the selection process and a discussion of some aspects of the papers you upload, will form part of the interview. If you are in 2nd year M7 you can provide the formative assessment portfolio (1st year work) in place of one paper (either WD or Inf Obs) and at least a draft of the 2nd year paper of the other. 

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?

Experience must be gained in a professional setting within an organisation as a volunteer or employee. 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 with this age group.

Applicants must have substantial experience of work with at least two of the three age-groups (pre-school, primary school and adolescents), and some supplementary experience with the third age group. The minimum experience required is one year of full-time work with children and young people, but two to three years are an advantage.

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. At the moment due to the Covid 19 all teaching is delivered by zoom.

What is the application process for the 2022-23 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 two of the three age-groups (pre-school, primary school and adolescents). 
  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 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 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, 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 admin (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 be interviewed for by potential employers. 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 employer who has provided you with the training placement. You will receive a monthly salary that is equivalent to Band 6 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale. You also receive a monthly contribution towards your analytic fees to be claimed monthly.

Can I work part time in my placement?

Most trainees work full time for the duration of the four-year training. In some placements it has been possible to work part time over five years and this depends on the training placement and trainees will still be expected to attend the full study day at the Tavistock and Portman.

Self funding and overseas applicants

As an overseas student can I apply to the training?

We are delighted that our reputation of excellence continues to attract students from all over the world. However, 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.

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?

Yes, places can be offered to self-funding students. 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 Health Education England 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 Psychotherapists continue to have supervision post qualification. This is expected by the ACP and part of continued CPD post qualification.

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