Doctorates and PhDs

Research helps to find evidence that family and systemic psychotherapy works, who it works for and why it’s effective. It’s critical for the profession to share the impact of what we do. But researching therapeutic change can be challenging.

A systemic approach to research embraces rigour in methodology and systemic ethical concerns of power, difference, context and relationship.

If you’re ready for the challenge – and the professional development – doing a doctorate or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in family and systemic psychotherapy might be for you.

These high-quality research-based qualifications will enhance your practice and contribute to the research in our field.

Types of doctorates

A doctorate is the highest academic degree, above bachelors and masters degrees.

The main 2 types of doctorates of interest to family and systemic psychotherapy are:

1. Professional doctorates. These focus on professional systemic practice and methodology. They include original research which directly contributes to systemic knowledge. They are usually undertaken alongside your professional work over 6 or more years.
2. Research doctorates or PhDs. These are high-level research degrees and are offered by most universities. Research degrees relevant to systemic practice may have a wider focus. But they’re relevant to our field because of the research question or approach that’s used. For example, a PhD might be related to healthcare or social policy but, if it has a systemic perspective, it’s a good option for a family and systemic psychotherapist’s professional development.

A PhD will usually require you to conduct and write original research. Most are full-time but part-time options exist. Opportunities vary and the best way to find out more is to look at what is offered by your university of choice.

Professional doctorates

Professional doctorates (such as DProf, DBA and EdD) are run by many universities and they vary from year to year.

These kinds of doctorates are typically part-time, research degrees lasting around 3 to 6 years. They’re designed for experienced professionals seeking to advance practice in their field.

Unlike a traditional PhD, which is usually more academically focused, professional doctorates place greater emphasis on applying research to clinical or organisational practice. Assessment typically includes a thesis or portfolio based on research.

Most professional doctorates are connected to larger professional groups, such as social work, nursing and medicine. You apply to the individual university.

Examples of universities currently running professional doctorates include:

• University of Stirling
• Keele University
• Teesside University

The North London NHS Foundation Trust (formerly the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust) run a 5-year part-time systemic psychotherapy professional doctorate. Find out more about the Professional Doctorate in Systemic Psychotherapy on the Trust’s website.

Health and social care doctorates

Some universities have health and care professional doctorates focusing on evidence-based practice and improving services.

There are DHealth/DProf programmes at:

• Birmingham City University. For the PhD in health, you can use systemic research methodologies to focus on family, gender and health. Their PhD in social sciences includes health and wellbeing, inequalities and policy, activism and politics.
• Salford University. This is a DProf in health and social care.
• Derby University. This is a DPrac in health and social care practice.

Research doctorates (PhDs/DPhils)

You don’t apply for a PhD (also known as a DPhil) in the same way as a typical course. Universities advertise opportunities and some have funding attached to them. Applications are usually very competitive. The scope of a PhD is usually shaped by the research interests of the university department or supervisor.

It’s rare to find a specifically systemic PhD advertised. But there are many in related fields, such as mental health care, nursing and social work.

PhDs typically take 3 to 4 years full-time. The first year is about reading around your area of interest, refining your research question and learning research methods, with regular meetings with your supervisor. Years 2 to 3 will be when you carry out the main research and you’ll write up your findings in the final year.

Part-time PhDs will take longer, possibly between 5 and 8 years.

Finding a PhD

There are 2 main ways you can find a PhD:

1. Develop your own research idea. Submit a research proposal with your application to a university. You’ll need to find a supervisor who agrees to supervise you. To do this, find academics working in the area and email them your research idea and CV, asking if they’re open to supervising you.

2. Apply for advertised PhDs. Universities advertise funded PhD opportunities with predefined research topics. You apply for these like a job.

Things to consider when you’re looking for a PhD

Demonstrate an interest in research

As a qualified family and systemic psychotherapist, you’re likely to have a masters in family and systemic psychotherapy which has a research component. But you might also need to do additional training in research to apply for a PhD.

Find out more about the masters in family and systemic psychotherapy on our routes to training page.

Look at what PhDs are available

Research which universities offer relevant PhDs. Look for institutions with strong psychotherapy, psychology, sociology, philosophy or humanities departments.

You may also consider PhDs in clinical psychology, counselling or psychotherapy where you can specialise in systemic approaches.

Your research topic may need to align with broader departmental themes, such as the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and issues of power, racism and inequality.

Think about funding

PhDs are expensive and funding can be hard to access. Options for funding them include:

• UK Research Councils, which are public bodies that fund PhDs and academic research in the UK. They are part of a larger organisation called UK Research and Innovation
• University scholarships
• NHS or charity funding
• Self-funding
• Paid PhDs, which can be competitive and hard to find
• Funding from your employer