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In order to fully satisfy eligibility criteria for membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, trainees must demonstrate satisfactory attainment of competencies in psychotherapy. Evidence required includes a Psychotherapy ‘ACE’ (assessment of clinical expertise) and completion of two psychotherapy cases in two modalities.
With training posts in the Yorkshire deanery becoming European Working Time Directive compliant, a trainee gains less experience in their actual clinical post. Therefore, what benefit could a trainee derive from further time away from their posts in order to gain experience in a subspecialty that very few of us will pursue long-term? I have conducted a 40-week period of psychodynamic psychotherapy. I also received weekly supervision sessions with an experienced therapist. I will reflect on my positive experiences completing a psychodynamic long case and describe how the skills I have developed are transferable to most aspects of practice.
The role of the psychiatrist within the NHS is continually being redefined. The Department of Health's New Ways of Working initiative may result in fleeting patient contact, which may not be conducive to in-depth psychodynamic work. I would suggest that, at this uncertain time, psychiatrists might wish to push for further involvement with psychotherapy. The first step in this process is to ensure that all psychiatric trainees are adequately trained in psychotherapy. Efforts should be made to ensure that, as working hours become more unpredictable, psychiatric trainees are afforded protected time slots in order to complete psychotherapy training.