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AIMS OF THE TRAINING
: This training also referred to as the Child Psychotherapy
training, aims to train Child Psychotherapists who provide psychoanalytic
psychotherapy for children and young people who have emotional
and behavioral problems. Child psychotherapists are trained
to be in touch with the child’s view of their situation
and provide an intensive therapeutic relationship that is important
to children who may have experienced long periods of difficulty,
distress or abuse. In this safe environment, child psychotherapists
help children to make sense of events such as family breakdown,
bereavement, child abuse or physical illness. Many psychotherapists
have first trained as psychiatrists, psychologists or social
workers, and then proceeded to train as psychoanalytic psychotherapists
to finally learn to apply the psychoanalytic method in various
settings.
Child psychotherapists normally offer individual psychotherapy
based on psychoanalytic techniques. They also offer support
and advice to other professionals working with disturbed children
and young people and their families. Their particular skills
and knowledge help other agencies which work with children,
such as social services, education and the voluntary sector.
This remains the best and most thorough training and the only
one available in India for a psychoanalytic psychotherapist.
Although it undoubtedly involves a major commitment of time,
money and mental space, it is not as formidable as it sometimes
seems and support is available right through the training from
colleagues, personal tutors, case supervisors, Seminar leaders
and from personal analysis, which is mandatory.
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MODELLED ON THE
TAVISTOCK CHILD PSYCHOTHERAPY TRAINING : This course
is based essentially upon experience of clinical work, and together
with the Tavistock Model Mumbai course in Psychoanalytic Observational
Studies as a pre-clinical component, forms the training for
qualification as a child psychotherapist. This course, like
the Psychoanalytic Observational Studies Course, is modelled
on that of the Tavistock Clinic, London. The Course Consultant
to the clinical training is Mrs Margaret Rustin, presently Head
of Child Psychotherapy at the Tavistock clinic. Dr Manek Bharucha,
was a Tutor on the Child Psychotherapy Training at the Tavistock
clinic in London.
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STRUCTURE OF THE
CLINICAL TRAINING : The clinical training starts after
completion of the pre-clinical Course in Observational studies,
(see Brochure ‘Tavistock Model Mumbai Course in Psychoanalytic
Observational Studies’) where the essential component is
the development of the student’s Observational skills through
direct experience of close emotional interactions, alongside academic
book knowledge of human development. In the Child Psychotherapy
Training, it is the experience of clinical work that forms the
central part of the training. Students are now required to have
extensive Psychotherapeutic experience with Children, Parents,
and Young Adults, with a wide range of emotional difficulties.
The therapeutic experience required of each student and the teaching
inputs that support the case work are outlined in detail below.
The student is supported in almost all of his or her cases by
individual supervisions, or small group supervisions, or by seminars
based on the clinical experience, as well as seminars on Psychoanalytic
theory and technique. In addition, each student has a Personal
Tutor to support him/her during the training and has the experience
of Personal Analysis, which is mandatory.
CONTENT AND METHOD OF THE TRAINING.
Psychotherapeutic Experience during Clinical training
(a) Intensive Psychoanalytic Cases
: Students are required to see three cases for intensive psychoanalytic
therapy, i.e. with patients attending, wherever possible four
to five times a week. The cases include a prelatency child (below
5 years of age), a latency child (between 6 and 12) and an adolescent.
One case is expected to have been in supervised treatment for
two years and two cases must have a minimum of one year in supervised
treatment. In special circumstances, a student would be permitted
to see a young adult who had adolescent needs instead of an
adolescent, provided that the student’s tutor is satisfied
that the case has adolescent needs. However, one would hope
that subsequently, the student would see an adolescent case.
The cases seen on an intensive basis are also referred to as
Training cases or Training patients.
(b) Less-intensive Cases : Students
are also required to treat a variety of children and adolescents
on a less intensive basis, (i.e. attendance once or twice weekly).
Generally, experience will be obtained with at least six such
cases for at least one year’s therapy.
(c) Group Psychotherapy : Experience
of Psychotherapy with a family/and or group psychotherapy with
children or adolescents is also encouraged. This experience
can replace upto two of the non-intensive psychotherapy cases
required.
(d) Parent Work : Students also acquire
experience of psychotherapy or casework with one or more parents
whose children may or may not be in treatment. A parent or parental
couple must be seen for at least one year. If more than one
case is undertaken, this may replace one of the non-intensive
child cases.
(e) Brief work, including Assessments and
Consultations : In addition to more long-term work using
the psychoanalytic method, students are given experience of
brief work, assessments and consultation with children, young
people and families.
(f) Work with community and professional
caregivers : The above experience is also encouraged,
both during and after training, and it is hoped that most students
who complete this course will offer the expertise they have
gained and function in some kind of teaching or consultative
role.
Programme of Teaching Events
These include Supervision of the clinical work and a programme
of Seminars as follows :
A. Supervision:
(i) Individual Supervision
Students receive individual weekly supervision on each of the
three cases attending for intensive psychotherapy. The supervision
of each of these cases is given by a different supervisor. Under
special circumstances (as permitted by the training committee),
a student would be permitted to have the same supervisor for
2 training cases. Students are required to write detailed notes
on the sessions with their patients and these are discussed
with the supervisor. The function of a supervisor is to help
the student to understand the patient's communications and to
discuss the management and setting of the psychotherapy.
(ii) Small Group Supervision: Throughout the training each student
will be a member of a small group of trainees and a supervisor
who meet weekly to discuss ongoing work. The groups provide
a small forum for discussion of assessments and ongoing psychotherapeutic
work and the members are able to become familiar with one another’s
cases and individual styles of work.
B. Programme of Seminars
The programme of Seminars includes both Clinical
and Theory Seminars. Seminars are provided throughout the training.
Seminar groups are generally kept small. Changing seminar groups’
midway during the academic year is therefore not possible.
Clinical Seminars
(i) These clinical seminars are provided throughout the training.
In these seminars, students have the opportunity to present
some of their ongoing work with cases which are not receiving
individual supervision, i.e., their non-intensive cases. They
can choose to present the same non-intensive case on a regular
basis, or can choose to present work from any or all of their
non-intensive cases.
(ii) Work with Parents Seminar: In this seminar, students have
an opportunity to present ongoing work with parents and to look
into the different applications of psychoanalytical thinking
in working with parents.
(iii) Assessment Seminar: In this seminar, students present
assessment sessions with children, parents and families. In
the discussion of the material, the focus would be on thinking
about determining the nature and extent of the difficulties
and the possibility of offering Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy.
(iv) Work in Schools Seminar: In this seminar, students present
sessions of their work with children in schools. Besides, focusing
on the ongoing work, the seminars also look at some of the Institutional
issues, including the school’s educational philosophy,
staff issues, and parent-teacher issues.
(v) YPCS Seminar:
In this seminar, students present sessions of their work with
Young adults who refer themselves to The Horniman Circle Clinic.
The Young People’s Counseling Service offers a series
of four to six confidential counseling sessions to young adults
between the ages of 16 and 30, who feel they need help with
their emotional difficulties.
Theory Seminars
These Seminars are also provided throughout the training. During
the first year, students are encouraged to attend a series of
lectures/discussions on the psychoanalytic tradition and clinical
concepts, which aims to provide a framework for thinking about
clinical experience and an introduction to the wider literature.
A seminar is offered on Melanie Klein’s Narrative of a
Child Analysis. In the second year, there is an advanced study
of Melanie Klein’s thought, within a historical orientation
to psychoanalytic theory. Theoretical seminars will advance
and centre around recent contributions to psychoanalytic thought
and on the understanding of psychoses, depression and manic
states of mind. In the third year of the clinical training,
students are acquainted with the work of contemporary Kleinians
like Ronald Britton, John Steiner, Betty Joseph, Michael Feldman,
Edna O’Shaughnessy and Irma Brenman Pick among others.
In the fourth year there will particularly be an opportunity
to study the work of Wilfred Bion in some depth and the very
important use of his concepts in clinical work. Additionally,
students are also offered a seminar on Technique which uses
psychoanalytical thinking to look at various technical issues
in a clinical setting.
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PERSONAL ANALYSIS
: During the Clinical Training in Psychoanalytical Child Psychotherapy,
students are expected to have a minimum of four weekly sessions
of personal analysis with a psychoanalyst recognized by the
PTRC. Students are expected to have at least one year’s
experience of personal analysis before embarking upon the intensive
treatment of an analytic case as part of the clinical course.
This is a probationary period to ensure the suitability of the
student for in-depth clinical work. The personal analysis will
last throughout their training and may continue for some time
afterwards. When students on the Observation Course are considering
entering analysis, they are advised to consult their personal
tutor about their choice of analyst.
Personal analysis is kept separate from the training. The analyst
is however asked whether, in his/her opinion, there is any contra-indication
to the student undertaking clinical training and beginning an
intensive case under supervision, and finally whether they have
any objection to his/her being recommended for qualification.
The analysis is seen as a private matter which, hopefully, will
give the student a better acquaintance with hitherto unknown
parts of his personality and help him to live with them rather
than to project them. The analyst’s unique function is
to help him to do this. An important use of the therapist’s
own analysis is that it enables him to differentiate what belongs
to his patient’s psychopathology from what belongs to
the therapist. Without this capacity the therapist may make
serious errors. For instance, he may get rid of unwanted parts
of his personality by projecting them into his patient. PERSONAL
TUTOR
Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with the
trainee to discuss the trainee’s progress. The role of
the Personal Tutor is central to the course in supporting the
student over the period of the course. Each trainee is required
to meet their Tutor once a month. The Tutor is the link between
the student and the Training Committee, and is responsible for
discussing the following with the students:
• Attendance at curriculum activities.
• Selection and approach to training analysts.
• Selection of training cases, and the progress of, or
any difficulties that may arise during the course of the treatment.
• Selection of work placements and particular attention
to their settings
• Discussion of difficulties with understanding of theoretical
issues.
• Personal/other difficulties which affect participation
in the training scheme.
• Feedback from the Training Committee of the student’s
progress.
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THE APPLICATION
PROCESS : The Tavistock Model Mumbai Course in Psychoanalytic
Observational Studies provides an opportunity for gradual assessment
and self-assessment for suitability for working in psychoanalytical
psychotherapy. Over the two-year period, students will have
opportunities to discuss the appropriateness of applying for
clinical training with their Personal Tutors. The Personal tutor
will look into the appropriateness of the student applying for
the clinical training after discussions with the students Seminar
Leaders. Selection for clinical training is based upon the assessments
of the seminar leaders and tutors who have been able to get
to know the work and development of the applicant during the
Observation Course. All students who satisfactorily complete
the Observation Course are not automatically offered a place
on the Clinical Child Psychotherapy Training. A formal Application
is required for this training.
Pre-requisites to a Formal Application to the
Child Psychotherapy Training
Only students who have satisfactorily completed the Tavistock
Model Mumbai Course in Psychoanalytical Observation Studies
or a course considered as an equivalent course by the Training
committee can begin the Clinical Child Psychotherapy training.
Students intending to apply for this clinical training are
advised to start discussing their potential suitability with
their Tutor as early as possible, or at least by the end of
the first year of the Observation course. This is when the Formal
Application process begins. This involves completing an Application
Form, and having two Formal Interviews with two members of the
Training committee to assess their suitability to undergo the
clinical training. The Applicant is informed about the outcome
as soon as possible. If the applicant is successful, he/she
is required to begin his/her Personal analysis with a Training
Analyst recognized by the PTRC while still doing the Observation
Course. Students can begin their personal analysis at any time
during the Observation course, however a minimum of one year’s
intensive personal psychoanalysis with a training analyst is
required prior to beginning the clinical training. It is therefore
recommended that they start their analysis at least a year before
the start of the clinical training. The self-understanding obtained
in personal analysis is an essential aspect of student’s
assessment of his/her own suitability. In some cases, the training
Committee may recommend that an applicant needs some more work
experience before he/she can be reconsidered for the training.
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STARTING
CLINICAL WORK : Students are expected to have at least
one year’s personal analysis before starting the intensive
treatment of a training case. The student’s analyst will
recommend when the trainee could start seeing their training
cases. The student’s Personal Tutor will, in consultation
with the Seminar Leaders recommend when the non-intensive case
work can begin.
The procedure for taking a training case or patient is as follows:
Prior to starting a training case, the student is required to
discuss the referral with the Tutor and/or Supervisor. If they
agree to accept the case, the student is then required to fill
in a Commencement of Treatment Form and hand it over to the
Personal tutor. Students are also required to complete reports
on the progress of their training cases every six months and
submit them to their Tutor. The Tutor is also to be informed
if the training case drops out of treatment prematurely. Treatment
of training patients will continue even after qualification
of the trainee, until the therapy can be satisfactorily terminated.
Similarly, students are required to keep their Tutor/Seminar
Leaders informed before starting the non-intensive cases.
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WORK PLACEMENTS DURING
THE TRAINING : During their training, students are required
to discuss any private practice referrals that they receive
with their Tutor. The latter, will also help students to look
into arrangements for seeing their cases in a private practice
setting, and to ensure that the setting is satisfactory. Students
are encouraged to explore sources of potential training patients
from their own professional contacts, and then to discuss their
suitability with their tutors.
Work Placements for Trainees at Schools
The PTRC has a limited number of part-time trainee posts in
selected schools which have an arrangement with the PTRC to
provide Counseling Services. These are part-time posts with
a small remuneration, and all trainees are required to work
here and see cases for at least the first two years of their
child psychotherapy training. Trainees usually work in pairs
in schools, so that one works with the child and the other with
the parent/s. Trainees have the opportunity to present this
work at the Work in Schools Seminar, and the Seminar Leader
keeps in close touch with the on-going work in schools. Students
could also see one or two of their Training cases at schools
provided the setting is acceptable to the Case Supervisor. However,
it is advised that at least one of the Training Cases should
be seen in a Consulting Room or a Clinic setting.
Placements for Trainees at the PTRC’s Horniman Circle
Clinic
The PTRC offers a limited number of part-time trainee posts
at its Horniman Circle Clinic. Trainees work here under the
direction of the Clinic Director, who looks into referrals and
their suitability for trainees. Trainees also get to attend
the weekly clinic meetings where other on-going clinical cases
are discussed.
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VENUE OF THE TRAINING
: The PTRC’s Office, Library and Clinic are located at
Veetrag Chambers, 46 Cawasjee Patel Street, Fort, Mumbai 400
001. Some of the seminars are held here while others are held
at various locations in Mumbai. Students also see some of their
cases at this clinic besides the ones seen at the school.
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DURATION OF CLINICAL
COURSE : This programme for the clinical training in
Child Psychotherapy is based upon a course of a minimum of four
years clinical work and study. The required practical experience
of clinical work and the wide range of training events make
this a very intensive course. We hope and aim to offer a training
which will help to educate professionals to be capable of independent
work and initiative.
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SUSPENSION
OF THE CLINICAL TRAINING : If the training Committee
recognizes that a student is in serious difficulties, the student’s
Tutor will discuss the matter with the student. If these matters
prove unresolvable by other means, then the student may be asked
to suspend the training for the time being. The student’s
training can be reinstated at any time on the recommendation
of the student’s training analyst.
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COURSE
FEE : The Course Fee Rates are available on a separate
sheet. This course is not offered on a modular basis and the
Course Fee does not vary with the number of seminars taken by
the student. The Course Fee does not include the cost of Personal
Analysis or of individual Supervisions. In case of difficulties
in arranging funding for the training, the PTRC may be in a
position to offer a few part or full scholarships to students.
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THE LIBRARY :
The Library is
one of the best libraries in the country for psychoanalytic
literature. It has a valuable collection of books and authors
established over time. It also has Journals like the International
Journal of Psychoanalysis and the Journal of Child Psychotherapy.
Recently the library received a large gift of books by contemporary
psychoanalysts and psychotherapists from the Tavistock clinic.Its
most recent addition is the International Journal of Infant
Observation.
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COURSE COMPLETION
REQUIREMENTS : Students are required to have satisfactorily
completed the following before they could be considered for
the Course completion Certificate.
• Three cases in Intensive psychotherapy, one each with
a pre-latency, latency child as well as an adolescent. Two of
these for at least a year, and one for a minimum of 2 years,
and each under Supervision. At least one of these to be seen
in a consulting room or clinic setting.
• 6 non-intensive cases, for approximately one year each.
• Psychotherapy with a parent for a year, as well as Consultations
and brief work with parents.
• Several Assessments of children of all ages, as well
as young adults.
• Participation in all the Clinical Seminars as well as
the Theoretical Seminars.
• A clinical paper is required of 8000 – 10000 words,
usually centred upon an account of the work undertaken with
one of the intensive training cases, including some conceptualisation
of the case. Where relevant, this can be related to psychoanalytic
literature and other clinical studies and research. After completion
of the clinical Child Psychotherapy training, it is strongly
recommended that Child Psychotherapists participate in the continuing
Professional Development activities organized by the PTRC.
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CERTIFICATION
ON COURSE COMPLETION : This course is officially conducted
by the Indian Psychoanalytic Society, Mumbai Chapter. On completion
of the course requirements to the satisfaction of the Training
Committee, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion
of the Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Children,
Parents and Young People, from the Indian Psychoanalytic Society,
Mumbai Chapter.
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ADULT PSYCHOANALYATICAL
TRAINING FOR CHILD PSYCHOTHERAPISTS : A fully qualified
Child Psychotherapist is also eligible to apply for the Adult
Psychoanalytical training. The qualified therapist, if accepted,
will be expected to treat two Adult patients 4-5 times a week
along with a weekly supervision for each case by two different
supervisors. Each of the two cases will be expected to be seen
for at least two years. However the final outcome will be decided
in consultation with the supervisor. At the same time, the student
will continue with more advanced theory and clinical seminars,
and with his/her own personal analysis. At the end of this training,
a student is expected to write two clinical papers which will
be examined by the Training Committee of the Indian Psychoanalytical
Society.
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