This programme is for graduates of the human sciences or suitable candidates applying under the APL system who have relevant experience of working with people in a responsible caring  role and who wish to develop  their theoretical and clinical skills and qualify as Systemic Psychotherapists. 

The Programme will appeal to: psychiatrists in training who are required to undertake psychotherapy training in some modality; psychologists, social workers and nurses whose task in mental health requires specialist training in couple and family therapy; child care professionals whose task requires preparation for the management of complex treatment plans in the delivery of child care strategies; addiction counsellors desiring to extend their therapeutic repertoire to include family and couple therapy skills ; as well as  a range of other individuals who are re-directing their career pathways towards psychotherapy.

Course Description

This course is directed at a broad range of health and social care professionals who wish to develop their skills and knowledge in working as Systemic Psychotherapists with individuals, couples and families.  Live supervision of Clinical Practice is central to this training supported by core subjects of Theory and Methodology, Research and Personal/Professional connections.  The integration of Clinical Practice, Systemic Theories, Psychotherapy Research and Self reflection is key to this training.

Students on the programme will develop an understanding of systemic theory and methodology and its application in clinical practice.  Students will practice their clinical skills in live supervision sessions and will have opportunities to develop their ability to reflect on personal and professional connections in the therapeutic context. Through the completion of a Dissertation, students will develop skills in Research methodology and practice.

The M.Sc. in Systemic Psychotherapy aims to progress students along a path leading towards responsible creative therapeutic practices as independent practitioners in both Health/Social Care and Private Practice settings.  Through a mixture of skill development, theoretical education and enhanced capacity for self reflection, the course facilitates the growth and development of students as practitioners concerned with an extensive array of clinical presentations.

Course Content

• The M.Sc in Systemic Psychotherapy is a 4 year part–time training Programme comprising a total of 21 modules which translate into 120 ECTS.
• Years 1 and 2 together lead to a Graduate Diploma in Systemic Psychotherapy which comprises 60 ECTS.
• The four year training seeks to facilitate the formation of a fully trained and accredited Systemic Psychotherapist who has integrated four core training elements into an approach to practice. 

The four elements of the training are as follows:

Theory and Methodology

Students will be learning about the emergence of the Systemic Family Therapy tradition from its origins in the 1950’s to current time.  Topics covered will include Systemic Theories and Practice; Social Constructionism; Narrative and Dialogical Therapy; Socio-cultural and Ethical issues in Systemic Practice; Psychopathology and its critiques; Theories of Human Development; and an introduction to Research in Systemic Practice.  The learning will occur in weekly lectures / seminars and will be based upon relevant prescribed readings.

Clinical Practice  (based on live supervision and retrospective supervision)

Students will undertake weekly clinical work as part of a supervised training group with no more than 5 students in each group.  In year 4 of the programme students will obtain their clinical practice outside of the training context and will receive retrospective supervision for this within the training programme.

Personal Psychotherapy Exercises (PPE)

This training element is realised through a weekly facilitated group experience in addition to weekly written exercises.

Research Design and Methodology

Each year the training provides teaching in Research Design and Methodology. This element of the course culminates in the student production of a Dissertation (12,000 –15,000) words.

Modules

Modules in the 4 main strands of the programme are delivered over the 4 years. Each year of the programme is divided into the following modules:

Year One: 4 modules             

Year Two: 6 modules            

Year Three: 6 modules

Year Four: 5 modules

Each of the modules are core modules. There are no electives.

This four year part-time Masters (M.Sc.) in Psychotherapy degree is provided wholly within the context of the Family Therapy Training Programme of the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Mater Misericordiae Hospital. First established over 21 years ago, this Programme has developed both a national and international reputation as a centre of training excellence.

Our experienced faculty of teachers and trainers has ensured that the programme offerings at M.Sc. level invite student engagement right at the cutting edge of developments in systemic therapy. Alongside course faculty, a continuing flow of clinicians and teachers of international renown contribute to the education and training of Masters level students.

On completion of the M.Sc. in Systemic Psychotherapy students will have completed all requirements for registration with the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (F.T.A.I.), the  Irish Council for Psychotherapy (I.C.P) and the European Association of Psychotherapy (E.A.P). 

In summary they will be able to register (with F.T.A.I) as fully qualified Psychotherapists and they will have achieved the highest level of Psychotherapy Registration possible. An important feature of this qualification is that it is recognised at a European and international level as a valid Psychotherapeutic qualification which grants mobility to travel and work outside Ireland as a Psychotherapist.

Overview

International applicants should contact the academic programme director for a full list of entry requirements.

A list of FAQs for international applicants is available here.

• To apply online, please click here www.ucd.ie/apply
• Once online, the first step is to create a user account, then select “Graduate Taught Courses” as the application type and from the list of programme choices select Systemic Psychotherapy (MSc Systemic Psychotherapy). 
• For your application to be considered please ensure that all requested documentation is returned at the earliest possibility.

Areas in which Systemic Psychotherapists have previously secured employment or developed experience in independent practices include:

• Primary Care Settings
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
• Adult Psychiatric Services
• Voluntary Agencies providing Couple and Family Therapy
• Family Resource Centres
• Family Court work
• Private Practice

Graduates from the programme have a qualification that is recognised within Europe, which facilitates employment mobility.

With regard to the anticipated deployment of Psychotherapists throughout the Health Services  (Ref. Vision for Change 2006 Dept. of Health and Children) Psychotherapy graduates from this programme will have met all the requirements for employment as registered Psychotherapists.

Programme Administrator:
Ms. Ciara Reddy
Family Therapy Training Programme
Mater Misericordiae Hospital (CAHMS)
Tel : + 353 1 8032349
e-mail: creddy@mater.ie

• For more information on course fees please visit the Fees & Grants Office website.
• Fees are correct at the time of writing and subject to change.