Course Overview
On successful completion of foundation and Intermediate level training, trainees are eligible to apply for qualifying level training, an MSc in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, making them eligible for registration with the Association of Family Therapy as an accredited Family Therapist and Systemic Practitioner. The course is accredited by the University of Strathclyde.
Study Requirements
Trainees complete a total of 1,920 study hours over the two years:
480
hours of study in direct contact with course staff
1140
hours of independent study
Eligibility
You must have successfully completed the Foundation and Intermediate trainings, and have a first degree or the ability to study at postgraduate level. You will also need the capacity to undertake a 160 hour clinical place in each year and a work environment that will allow for at least 100 hours of systemic practice with families in each of the two years.
Glasgow
Autumn
2025
Time Commitment
Starting in Autumn 2025 until 2026, delivered in six, two-day blocks, usually Thursdays and Fridays per year. Plus a clinical placement in each year of 170 hours, and 100 hours of systemic practice in your work context.
Course Cost
Year 1 – £5750
Year 2 – £5750
Course Program
Post graduate diploma consists of six taught modules taught over two years:
Research and Reflexivity
- Overview of research methodology, evaluation and audit, including a range of qualitative and quantitative methods
- Overview of ethical considerations for research
- Practical application of undertaking a critical review of an intervention
- Exploring reflexivity and its link to research, evaluation and audit
Theory Development
- Critically explore and evaluate the development of systemic family therapy theory through history and theoretical stances:
- Early theory development through the 1980’s
- Theory development into the 1990’s
- Further development of systemic family therapy theory from 2000 to leading into contemporary practice
- Exploration of modernist and postmodernist models of systemic formulation and intervention
- Integration into contemporary practice of concepts from historical models
- Application of theoretical influences through practice, critique and reflection
Diversity and Anti-Discriminatory Practice
- Exploration of different forms of diversity and of literature that promotes awareness and engagement within systemic practice
- Exploration of anti-discriminatory practice and of literature that raises awareness of different forms of oppression across society, within organisations and within relationships
- Application of models of practice that promote anti-discriminatory practice
- Reflection on barriers to anti-discriminatory practice and working systemically to manage them
Systemic Applications of Theories of Change
- Exploration of a range of models of change and application to systemic family therapy practice
- Overview of one model of Manualised Family Therapy (trainee group’s general preference)
- Exploration and critical evaluation of two other manualised models within small groups
- Application to practice in different contexts of manualised models of family therapy
Systemic Psychotherapy and Context
- Overview of contemporary literature linking systemic family therapy to a range of practice contexts:
- These include but are not exclusively in the areas of child and adult mental health (anorexia, psychosis, anxiety and depression and communication disorders), attachment and trauma across the lifecycle, health and illness within families, criminal justice and addictions.
- Application to practice of concepts and themes raised
- Reflection and critique of application to practice and of when to refer to other agencies/professionals
Theory and Practice of Supervision
- Overview of contemporary and historical literature of systemic supervision and consultation
- Exploration of key factors for orientation to supervision and contracting with supervisors
- Introduction to a range of models for systemic supervision
- Application through practice of a range of models for systemic supervision and consultation
- Reflection and critique of application of a range of models in practice, including use of self in the supervision process
Two additional modules are integrated over the two years:
Personal and Professional Development
- An external tutor to the programme will meet with the students as a group and individually if required to provide a space for reflection on learning, on the students’ personal and professional journeys through the training and on challenges that arise through engaging with course material
- 25 hours of Personal and Professional Development will be integrated into the training days over 2 years
- If required, this reflecting space can also be used as a bridge between students and course tutors on challenging matters arising but not resolved within training days and may be negotiated according to need
Systemic Practice in a Work Context
- 200 hours systemic family therapy practice in a student’s own work context over the 2 years of the training course
- Students will develop their experience of working with a range of different families from therapeutic engagement to intervention and through to endings.
- Students will have the opportunity to apply models of systemic family therapy and demonstrate having using different techniques toward change
- Using reflection and critique within a learning log, students will examine their own practice and professional development
There is a Clinical Placement module with a placement in each year of the course developing therapeutic skills in a clinical environment.
Students will be seconded to a work setting in each year of the course with an experienced family therapist who provides live supervision of their practice. The dissertation makes up the MSC, in this module you will undertake a 10,000- 15,000 word research project on a topic of your choice.
This course starts in Autumn 2025. Dates still to be finalised
We are always happy to discuss this training please contact Lynne Miller at enquiries@familytherapytrainingnetwork.org
