Psychotherapy training in the Northwest – a survey

Training in psychotherapy is now recognised as a significant component in the overall training of psychiatrists. The College has delineated psychotherapy training requirements for trainees in different stages of their training, but these are not yet a precondition to sitting the MRCPsych examination (Bateman & Holmes, 2001; Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2001). We conducted a survey of trainee experiences in psychotherapy and existing training resources in Northwest England. Questionnaires were sent to college tutors and psychiatry SHOs in Manchester deanery (response rate 40-60%). Information from trainees suggests that a third of year 2/3/4 trainees had not undertaken a single psychotherapy case. Most trainees did not report any experience with systemic/family therapies. However, a majority of trainees had attended interview skills training courses and case discussion/Balint groups.

Information from college tutors suggested that all responding hospitals offered interview skills training and an active case discussion/Balint group. Psychotherapeutic skills were included in educational contracts of trainees in a smaller majority of responding hospitals. Individual-therapy training and supervision (in supportive-dynamic and/or cognitive modalities) was available (locally or through regional psychotherapy departments) in all responding hospitals, but systemic therapy experience was limited to only few hospitals in the region.

The findings suggest that resources are available to introduce trainees to psychotherapy at a basic level, but may be less adequate to meet individual and systemic therapy training needs of more senior trainees. There is a need to develop a regular and accessible system of supervision of trainees in individual (especially cognitive) and systemic therapies in the region.