This Programme is for graduates of the human sciences or suitable candidates applying under the APL (Approved Prior Learning) 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
• 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
• 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 four 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.  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 four main strands of the programme are delivered over the four years. Each year of the programme is divided into the following modules:

• Year One: four modules             
• Year Two: six modules            
• Year Three: six modules
• Year Four: four modules

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

Please find more specific information about the year modules at the links below:

This four year part-time Masters (M.Sc.) in Psychotherapy degree is delivered in UCD School of Medicine.

Established in the 1980s 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.

The minimum four-year MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy is accredited by the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI) a constituent member of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) which is a member of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) 

Eligibility criteria

• International applicants should contact the Academic Programme Director for a full list of entry requirements.

• Applications are now being accepted for this programme
• The next intake will be September 2023
• Deadline: Application closing date is the 09 June 2023 
• Applications for this course must be made on-line at www.ucd.ie/apply.

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

For more information on course fees please visit the Fees & Grants Office website.

Programme Coordinator:

Dr. Valerie O'Brien
T: 00353 1 716 6602
E: valerie.obrien@ucd.ie