FAMILY, COUPLE, SEXUAL & SYSTEMIC THERAPY SECTION
Institute of Family Therapy IFT
24-32 Stephenson Way, Euston, London NW1 2HX
T: 020 7391 9150
F: 020 7391 9169
E:
W: www.instituteoffamilytherapy.org.uk
Contact Name: Ms Nadia Tosic, Principal Administrator
Organisational History
The Institute was established in 1977. Since that time it has established a national and international reputation for its work. It has extensive (part-time) training programmes mainly at post graduate level, including study at Masters and Doctorate level. The Institute has had a 20 year relationship with Birkbeck College, University of London - Birkbeck validates most of the Institute's courses. The Institute also offers family and couple therapy to people experiencing a wide range of difficulties. There are also three Centres within the Institute - The Centre for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, The Centre for Child Studies and The Centre for Cross Cultural Studies. In addition, there is the Organisational Stress Service which helps staff with difficult issues affecting their ability to work effectively. The President of the Institute is the eminent journalist, broadcaster and author, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.
Training Course Selection & Admission
Some courses are by written application, some are by written application plus interview. For further details please consult the prospectus and/or the IFT web site
Training Course Requirements
Personal therapy In terms of the advanced courses in psychotherapy personal development work is an ongoing part of the training. This means that trainees make a personal commitment to addressing how their own personal histories may both aid and/or constrain their professional task. Personal therapy outside the course is not required.
Clinical/clients trainees need to be working with clients during the training
Supervision trainees need to have supervision arrangements in place for their work in their agencies during the period of their training. In the advanced training in family therapy 'live supervision' is given by an experienced IFT teacher and clinician every week for 30 weeks of the year.
Written work each course has different requirements regarding written work. Please refer to the prospectus and the web site.
Attendance Attendance of 80% is normally required.
Training Course Assessments, standards, role of training committee
Assessment, depending on the course is a mixture of continuous assessment and exams. The Institute and Birkbeck College have a reputation for high standards and there is regular monitoring to maintain this position. Some of this is done through course committees and some through the appointment of external examiners from other Institutes/Universities.
| Training Courses | Course Information |
| Advanced Certificate in Family and Systemic Practice with Families and Couples Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - Sept to June each year Length - One academic year Location - Birkbeck College, University of London Number of places - Up to 75 Cost - £1104 Time Commitment - Tuesday afternoons |
| Post grad Diploma in Systemic Practice with Families and Couples Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - Sept to June each year Length - One academic year Location - The Institute of Family Therapy Number of places - Up to 60 Cost - £1272 Time Commitment - Wednesday afternoon or evening - with some whole day events |
| MSc in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - October to June each year Length - Two academic years Location - The Institute of Family Therapy and Birkbeck College Number of places - Up to 48 Cost - £3504 per year Time Commitment - Clinical group of four hours weekly plus academic blocks once a month of one and a half days |
| Advanced Diploma in the Supervision of Family and Systemic Psychotherapy Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - May to April each year Length - two academic years Location - The Institute of Family Therapy Number of places - Up to 15 Cost - £2232 per year Time Commitment - One and a half days per month at the Institute for 10 months per year. |
| Doctorate in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - October to June each year Length - four academic years Location - The Institute of Family Therapy and Birkbeck College Number of places - Up to 4 Cost - £2232 per year Time Commitment - Overlaps with the supervision programme for the first two years |
| Advanced Certificate in Child focused Practice Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - October to June each year Length - One academic year Location - The Institute of Family Therapy Number of places - Up to 30 Cost - £1104 Time Commitment - Nine one and a half day blocks - one a month |
| MSc in Child Focused Practice Full or Part time - Part Time | Dates - October to June each year
Length - Two academic years Location - The Institute of Family Therapy and Birkbeck College Number of places - Up to 20 Cost - £1440 per year Time Commitment - One day per fortnight |
| Advanced Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - October to June each year Length - One Academic year Location - Birkbeck College Number of places - Up to 40 Cost - £1104 Time Commitment - Wednesday afternoons, weekly (10 per term) |
| MSc in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - October to June each year Length - Two Academic years Location - Birkbeck College Number of places - Up to 20 Cost - £1440 per year Time Commitment - One day per fortnight during term time |
| MSc in a Systemic Approach to Management, Coaching and Consultation Full or Part time - Part Time |
Dates - October to June each year Length - Two Academic years Location - Birkbeck College Number of places - Up to 20 Cost - £2300 per year Time Commitment - Monthly two day blocks during term time. |
Theoretical orientation
The Institute works mainly with a systemic framework - that is, that our behaviour affects and is affected by other people, particularly those with whom we have significant relationships. We also take into account the social, political, faith and cultural contexts which influence the way we relate with other people.
Accreditation, graduation, membership
Most of the IFT courses are accredited by professional bodies or are in the process of being accredited. Graduation takes places mainly at Senate House, University of London. Graduates are eligible to become members of IFT.
Code of ethics/ethical principals
The following is part of the code of ethics - a full version is obtainable from the Institute a) In all work the well being of clients should be paramount
b) Nothing should be done to bring the discipline and profession of family and systemic psychotherapy or the Institute of Family Therapy into disrepute.
c) Contravention of this code of practice may lead to disciplinary procedures.
d) When faced with an ethical dilemma the course of action which maximises good and does the least harm should be taken. Particular weight should be attached to the rights of those who have least power.
e) All colleagues, clients, trainees and visitors to the Institute should be treated with courtesy and respect and suffer no discrimination on the grounds of race, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, age or other characteristics.
THERAPISTS 1. Therapists should be open about their qualifications and not claim expertise they do not possess.
2. Therapists are required to disclose on request their terms, conditions and methods of practice before the beginning of therapy
3. Therapists are required to preserve confidentiality and to disclose the limits of that confidentiality and circumstances in which it could be broken.
4. Therapists should consider the best interests of clients when making contact with outside professionals and usually work in collaboration with clients, informing them of their actions.
5. Therapists should be aware of their own personal and professional limitations and give appropriate advice to clients about where to seek alternative help.
6. Therapists are required to maintain appropriate boundaries with their clients. They must not exploit clients in any way.
7. Therapists are required to clarify with clients the nature, purpose and conditions of any research in which clients are involved and to ensure that informed consent has been attained and the requirements to submit to a Research Ethics Committee have been met.
Is the organisation accrediting, training or both?
Both
Is the organisation running a low cost scheme?
No
Does the organisation offer clincial services?
Yes
Does the organisation have members included in the UKCP national register?
Yes
Other Relevant Information
UKCP, 2nd Floor, Edward House, 2 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7LT
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