Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy DPsych
London, King's Cross (Anna Freud Centre)
This four-year full-time, highly selective professional doctorate aims to develop the academic, clinical and research skills needed to practise as a professional Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, and will lead to the award of DPsych and professional membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP).
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
Duration
Programme starts
Applications accepted
Normally applications open in September/October and the deadline is January. Please contact the for further information.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have an upper second-class Honour's degree (or equivalent) and/or a Master's degree from a UK university in a relevant subject. There are a number of additional criteria, laid down by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), which applicants must fulfil before they can apply to this doctoral clinical training. Please see the for further details.
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The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
ÂÒÂ×Ðã Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at ÂÒÂ×Ðã. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
Equivalent qualifications
Country-specific information, including details of when ÂÒÂ×Ðã representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.
About this degree
In year one, students receive direct teaching on research methodologies and the critical evaluation of research findings. They carry out a service-related research project within their clinical placement service and attend a series of lectures on evaluating clinical interventions.
From the second year, trainees will undertake a research project in an area relevant to the child psychotherapy profession, fully supported by a supervisor.
This programme has been created with an emphasis on the practical research skills that will be needed by a modern practitioner and designed specifically to be completed within four full-time academic years. In this integrated programme, research thinking will sit alongside the clinical programme so that graduates will become able to use research to inform their clinical practice.
Who this course is for
This programme is a professional training course for those wishing to train as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. This 4-year full time, highly selective professional doctorate aims to develop the academic, clinical and research skills needed to practice and will lead to the award of DPsych and professional membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). The programme is funded by NHS England (formerly Health Education England), and is a collaboration between ÂÒÂ×Ðã, Anna Freud and the Independent Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Association (IPCAPA) at the British Psychotherapy Foundation (bpf), alongside NHS training placement providers.
What this course will give you
The programme combines working in a clinical setting, with lectures and seminars to support academic development and the opportunity to complete a doctoral level research project. Teaching is offered in a small-group setting and aims to provide a thorough understanding of normal child development, childhood psychopathology and psychotherapeutic techniques linked with direct experience of clinical work and conducting relevant research.
The programme is a collaboration between ÂÒÂ×Ðã, and the Independent Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Association (IPCAPA) at the (bpf), alongside NHS training placement providers. The theoretical orientation of the training represents the thinking of the Independent School within the British Psychoanalytic movement. A Jungian pathway has been developed for those in Jungian analysis.
The foundation of your career
On completion of the Doctorate, applicants are eligible to work in the NHS or voluntary sector as child psychotherapists accredited by the Association of Child Psychotherapists. Some continue with academic and research work in parallel with this.
Employability
On completion of the Doctorate, applicants are eligible to work in the NHS or voluntary sector as child psychotherapists accredited by the Association of Child Psychotherapists. Some continue with academic and research work in parallel with this.
Networking
Trainees work with multidisciplinary teams specialised in children’s mental health services. From the start of the training, students also become trainee members of the Association of Child Psychotherapists, the professional body and accredited register for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists in the UK.
Teaching and learning
Academic Component
A continuous programme of theoretical seminars specific to each of the four years of the programme is led by experienced child and adult psychotherapists. These cover theories of development, psychoanalytic thinking about the aetiology of psychological problems and how best to treat them, having regard to cultural and social diversity. The curriculum gives attention to knowledge of the evidence-base for the efficacy of psychological interventions and includes information on the impact of neuro-psychosocial factors on the psychological wellbeing of young people. There is a rolling programme of applied practice workshops, responding to current issues in NHS practice.
Clinical Programme Component
Training placements are in NHS or voluntary sector settings, and the placement programme is planned to ensure exposure to a wide range of populations and contexts and to ensure experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams. Trainees are in their funded clinical placements for 70% of their week over the four years, learning and honing their skills guided by experienced clinicians within their service. In order to fulfil ACP requirements each trainee must complete a combination of intensive and non-intensive child cases. Each trainee sees three children in intensive psychotherapy, with individual weekly supervision for each case. Trainees are also required to see at least six children in non-intensive treatment, and to have experience of time-limited work, work with parents, diagnostic assessments and of consulting to other professionals who are working to promote children's wellbeing.
Dissertation
The dissertation will be submitted at the end of the fourth year of study. A viva voce examination will normally be arranged within three months of submission of the dissertation.
Academic Component
A continuous programme of theoretical seminars specific to each of the four years of the course is led by experienced child and adult psychotherapists. These cover theories of development, psychoanalytic thinking about the aetiology of psychological problems and how best to treat them, having regard to cultural and social diversity. The curriculum gives attention to knowledge of the evidence-base for the efficacy of psychological interventions and includes information on the impact of neuro-psychosocial factors on the psychological wellbeing of young people. There is a rolling programme of applied practice workshops, responding to current issues in NHS practice.
Clinical Course Component
Training placements are in NHS or voluntary sector settings, and the placement programme is planned to ensure exposure to a wide range of populations and contexts and to ensure experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams. Trainees are in their funded clinical placements for 70% of their week over the four years, learning and honing their skills guided by experienced clinicians within their service. In order to fulfil ACP requirements each trainee must complete a combination of intensive and non-intensive child cases. Each trainee sees three children in intensive psychotherapy, with individual weekly supervision for each case. Trainees are also required to see at least six children in non-intensive treatment, and to have experience of time-limited work, work with parents, diagnostic assessments and of consulting to other professionals who are working to promote children's wellbeing.
The dissertation will be submitted at the end of the fourth year of study. A viva voce examination will normally be arranged within three months of submission of the dissertation.
Dissertation:
Volume 1: Case reports and Service-Related Research - 20,000 words.
Volume 2 is made up of three pieces of work. This volume will comprise the following three parts (maximum 16,000 words):
- A report of an empirical research project, written in a format as if to be submitted to a peer-reviewed academic journal (up to 10,000 words);
- A conference-style poster presenting key findings from your empirical research project (created in an A2 format);
- A reflective account of the process of undertaking research and linking this with clinical training and work (up to 6,000 words)
All trainees are required to be in personal psychoanalysis with an approved therapist, at least four times per week throughout their training.
The assessment for the doctorate comprises a practicum component, two examinations, and a two-volume dissertation, each of 15,000 words maximum. Volume one is made up of four elements, and volume two is made up of three elements.
In year 1, in addition to the practicum component (which is assessed at the end of each year of the training), trainees will be assessed through a Critical Reading Exam and a service related research project (part of volume 1).
In year 2, as well as through the practicum component, trainees will be assessed through an oral examination on an assessment and a case study paper on a piece of brief or non-intensive work (volume 1). There is also a formative (non-assessed) research proposal.
In year 3, trainees will be assessed through the practicum component.
In year 4, as well as through the practicum component, trainees will be assessed through a case study paper on parent work (volume 1), and a final case study clinical paper (volume 1).
Once all other elements of the programme are completed, trainees will be assessed by viva on the research dissertation (volume 2), which is made up of an empirical research project, written in the form of a journal article, a research poster based on that study, and a reflective commentary.
Approximately 3.5 days per week in the clinic, 1.5 day a week of teaching (average of 6-7 hours of direct teaching and 3-4 hours of self-directed study time), plus additional study leave from clinic leave to support self-directed study.
Research areas and structure
Research environment
This 4-year full-time, highly selective professional doctorate aims to develop the academic, clinical and research skills needed to practice as a professional Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, and will lead to the ÂÒÂ×Ðã award of DPsych and professional membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP).
The ÂÒÂ×Ðã programme is delivered in collaboration with Anna Freud and The Independent Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Association (IPCAPA) at the British Psychotherapy Foundation (bpf), alongside NHS training placement providers. The theoretical orientation of the training represents the thinking of the Independent School within the British Psychoanalytic movement.
As a Professional Doctorate, research is an integral and integrated component of this programme. In year one, you will receive direct teaching on research methodologies and the critical evaluation of research findings. You will carry out an audit (service-related research project) within your clinical placement service and attend a series of lectures on evaluating clinical interventions. From the second year you will undertake a research project on an area relevant to the child psychotherapy profession, fully supported by a supervisor. This programme has been created with an emphasis on the practical research skills that will be needed by a modern practitioner and designed specifically to be completed within four full-time academic years.
Teaching takes various forms according to the year group: you will spend more time in research teaching in your first year, and then less over the following three years. The reason for this is to ensure that you develop the fundamental research skills that will inform both your clinical practice and your work on your empirical research project, which begins in the second year.
During years two to four, you will be expected to be involved in your research project outside these formal teaching sessions. You will be expected to work on your project at Anna Freud, at home or elsewhere. In some cases, it may be necessary to have additional meetings with your supervisor or other professionals involved in the study, however for the large part, independent study will be most common.
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The programme has clinical, academic, and research components.
You will usually spend four days per week at a clinical placement, usually an NHS CAMHS service. We aim for you to work in the same service for the duration of your training. Here you will see, under supervision, a range of boys and girls of different ages, both in intensive and non-intensive treatment. You are also required to undertake generic, state of mind and psychotherapy assessments and to gain experience of work with parents and families. You also need to obtain experience in practicing other psychotherapeutic techniques, such as short term psychotherapy, brief work, mother-infant work, family work, group work and interagency and consultation work. You will often work alongside other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Alongside this, you will have teaching days where you attend clinical and theoretical seminars, practice groups and workshops. The teaching aims to capture key issues in developing child psychotherapy practice in CAMHS, incorporating the ideas of service supervisors on crucial learning areas, ACP expectations, your views on your learning needs and interests, and the time-honoured programme of theory that marks us out as an Independent training.
In year one you will receive direct teaching on research methodologies and the critical evaluation of research findings. You will carry out an ‘audit’ within your clinical placement service and attend a series of lectures on evaluating clinical interventions. From the second year, you will undertake a research project on an area relevant to the child psychotherapy profession, fully supported by a supervisor.
In terms of assessment, the programme consists of 11 modules, all of which must be passed in order to gain the award of Doctorate. Four modules are practicum modules that assess your clinical competence each year. You must pass these practicum components in order to progress to the next year. Assessment is via a placement review meeting at the end of each year, where your competence in a range of skills is discussed by the service supervisor and a member of the programme team. The decision is reviewed by the Training Advisory Group before a recommendation is made to the Exam Board.
Progression through the training is not dependent on passing these assessments but they will need to be passed by the end of the training in order for you to gain the qualification of Child Psychotherapist, accredited by the Association of Child Psychotherapists. It may be possible to meet the clinical requirements for accreditation with the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) without completing the academic components of the ÂÒÂ×Ðã programme: any student not completing the dissertation may gain accreditation by the ACP if the other components of the programme are passed. However, you will not be awarded the Doctorate title.
The theoretical orientation of the training represents the thinking of the Independent School within the British Psychoanalytic movement. A Jungian pathway has been developed for those in Jungian analysis.
Compulsory modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
Placement
The clinical training is funded and quality assured by NHS England (formerly Health Education England), via the Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs). A limited number of training posts are offered by the NHS, for which trainees can apply. The posts are four-year fixed term training contracts, usually based in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) team, and provide funding (including salary and contributions to training expenses), time for study and training as well as the opportunities to meet all the clinical requirements of the training. There are a number of posts across London and the South East of England.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of ÂÒÂ×Ðã buildings can be obtained from . Further information can also be obtained from the ÂÒÂ×Ðã Student Support and Wellbeing team.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
Fee description | Full-time |
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Tuition fees (2024/25) | £6,035 |
Tuition fees (2024/25) | £34,400 |
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the ÂÒÂ×Ðã Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Additional costs
This programme has no additional costs.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Funding your studies
The clinical training is funded and quality assured by NHS England (formerly Health Education England), via the Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs). A limited number of training posts are offered by the NHS, for which trainees can apply.
The posts are four-year fixed term training contracts, usually based in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) team, and provide funding (including salary and contributions to training expenses), time for study and training as well as the opportunities to meet all the clinical requirements of the training. There are a number of posts across London and the South East of England.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at ÂÒÂ×Ðã, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Next steps
Those seriously interested in undertaking this doctorate are advised to make contact with the Training Co-ordinator -Â to discuss their individual experience at an early stage.
Home (UK) students are advised to apply for the DPsychotherapy Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (mixed mode), Full-time: mixed mode distance option. Overseas students are advised to apply for the DPsychotherapy Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Full time option.
Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.
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