What is Couple Therapy for Depression?

Based on NICE guidelines, Couple Therapy for Depression is a brief integrative-behavioural treatment for depression for couples where one or both partners are experiencing relationship distress and depression. It has been developed by identifying best practices in a range of behavioural, systemic, psychodynamic, cognitive, and emotionally focussed couple therapies evidenced in RCT effectiveness trials. Couple Therapy for Depression focuses on the relational aspects of depression and on factors that reduce stress and increase support within the couple, using the relationship as a resource for recovery and relapse prevention.

The model is evidence-based and NICE recommends it is delivered in 16 - 20 sessions.

About the Training

This CPD course is made up of 5 days of formal teaching and 20 sessions of remote supervision, for approximately 8-12 months.

Please note that we expect 100% attendance for the 5 days of teaching and a minimum of 80% attendance for supervision.

It enables practitioners to practice the evidence-based, NICE-Approved, Couple Therapy for Depression as a treatment for mild to moderate depression within their NHS Talking Therapies service nationally. Successful completion of the course and supervised clinical work allows practicing as an Approved ‘Couple Therapy for Depression NHS Talking Therapies Practitioner’.

Entry Criteria

Applicants will need:

● To work within an NHS Talking Therapies service or be able to access clinical work through an NHS Talking Therapies service.

● Professional qualifications of those eligible to apply include clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists (systemic, psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, integrative, person-centered, CBT, IPT/DIT, art, and music therapists)

● Applicants need to have eligibility for registration with either BPS, UKCP, BACP. BABCP, COSRT, HCPC, NSCP, and AFT.

● Experience of working with couples is beneficial, although this is not a prerequisite

Clinicians need to evidence.

● An interest in developing and extending their practice to work with couples where one or both are diagnosed with depression

● Written support for their application from the service manager and clinical supervisor

● At least 100 clinical hours with individuals, families or couples

● To be able to access appropriate couple referrals from the outset of the training.  We recommend carrying approximately 3-4 couple cases during the assessment and supervision component of the training

● Experience of working with couples is beneficial although this is not a prerequisite

Structure and Assessment of the Training

Trainees will be expected to:

● Participate in 5 days of formal teaching and 20 fortnightly supervision sessions across approximately 8-12 months. This will be facilitated by the training team and training consultants. Supervision will be conducted in groups and requires video conferencing, which Tavistock Relationships will facilitate

● Submit 5 digital audio recordings of therapy sessions, of approximately 2-4 couple cases

● A limited amount of written work and self-reflection on learning and development of practice

What will successful trainees receive?

When the criteria are met, the trainee will receive:

● Certificate of Satisfactory Attendance after 5 days of the course

● Certificate of Completion as Couple Therapy for Depression NHS Talking Therapies Practitioner after supervision and assessment of at least two training cases, up to 20 sessions

● Upon full completion of the practitioner training their name will be included on the Couple Therapy for Depression website as an Approved Couple Therapy for Depression Practitioner. This will be displayed for 25 Years unless the person requests that their name be removed

How will the application be assessed?

Each application must include:

● a completed ‘Applicant’s Details’ form

● a statement of support from a current supervisor 

● a statement of support from your line manager 

All applications will be screened by the Lead Trainer to ensure that the entry requirements of qualification, experience, and setting have been met. Those that do not meet the criteria cannot be accepted.  Places will initially be allocated on a first-come basis. 

Early application is encouraged – deadlines can be found on the CTFD website - Couple Therapy for Depression Practitioner Level Training

Training will take place subject to Tavistock Relationships recruiting the requisite number of applicants.

About the Training Provider

Tavistock Relationships developed Couple Therapy for Depression for use in NHS Talking Therapies services, having been commissioned by the Department of Health to create a competencies framework for this treatment. Tavistock Relationships subsequently produced the Training Course that leads to becoming an approved Couple Therapy for Depression NHS Talking Therapies Practitioner and has successfully delivered it around England since 2010, as well as delivering Supervisor courses. Tavistock Relationships is currently the only fully approved training provider for Couple Therapy for Depression.

Funding

● The training is funded by NHS England for professionals who meet the eligibility criteria,             i.e. professionals working within an NHS Talking Therapies service or those able to access their clinical work through an NHS Talking Therapies Service.

● We also welcome applicants from NHS Talking Therapies services unable to access NHSE funding, but able to finance the training.

● Practitioners in private practice who have access to work with couples and can finance the training.

Queries

If you have any queries, including if you are unsure if you meet the criteria, please contact a member of the Training Team:

Email: ctfd@tavistockrelationships.org

Phone: 020 7380 8288

Applicant Details