An introduction to projective assessment in practice 2025-2026

What are projective assessment techniques?

Projective techniques are powerful tools to gain the voice of the child and explore aspects of their experience that may not be well understood. They are performance-based techniques that can elicit information not picked up by self-report measures. When carefully analysed and triangulated with other sources of information, projective techniques can open up conversations with children, families and staff that can facilitate deep understanding of difficulties, and help to create change.

What will you gain from the course?

This course will provide an introduction to techniques and resources that can be easily incorporated into practice through a consultation framework. Attendees will have opportunities for reflective peer supervision and develop their skills in administering, analysing, feeding back and reporting on projective material. Attendees will leave this CPD with a certifcate of attendance and practical tools that they can share with their services. Ongoing support and supervision can be offered. Psychologists registered with the HCPC will be offered membership to the British Society of the Rorschach and Projective Methods (BRS) and acces a host of benefits (https://www.rorschachuk.org/membership/).

What are the details of the course?

We have structured the training as a modular course consisting of 6 - 8 sessions. The greatest benefit will come from attending the course as a whole, but there are also a limited number of tickets available for individual sessions. PowerPoints and other resources will be sent prior to the session. All sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 6 – 8pm online.

1. Introduction to projective techniques in practice - 7th October 2025
2. Sentence completion tasks - 11th November 2025
3. House, tree, person – 20th January 2025
4. Kinetic family/school drawing – 24th February 2026
5. Projective workshop* – 24th March 2026
6. Children’s apperception test 12th May 2026
7. Object relations technique 9th June 2026
8. Projective workshop* – 7th July 2026

*Projective workshops are open to those on the course and all that have completed a previous introductory course to projective assessment or has experience of regularly using projective techniques. It offers further opportunity to learn via experience within a model of peer supervision.

Who is the course for?

Psychologists and psychotherapists working with children, families and schools, and who are interested in:

• Applying psychodynamic thinking in their work.
• Assessing the social emotional functioning of children and young people using performance measures, overcoming the limitations of solely using interviews and self-report measures.
• Working with children using more dynamic and creative approaches, such as drawing and storytelling, overcoming the limitations of certain standardised tests.
• Developing a deeper understanding of the child's / young persons unique experience and the issues they face.
• Working in a therapeutic way - using an assessment process as an intervention.
• Involving adults supporting the child or young person in discussions that can make a difference.
• Applying thinking to live cases through peer supervision models.

Session 1 - Learning Objectives:

• To provide an introduction to the historical and theoretical foundations of projective assessment.
• To have an outline of the different types of projective tools.
• To identify how projective tools fit into a consultation framework of practice.
• To have some ideas about how to include projective tools in your own practice.

Subsequent sessions - Learning Objectives:

• To provide an introduction to the history of the technique and how it is used.
• To explore administration of the technique.
• To develop an understanding of approaches to analysis of the technique.
• To develop confidence in the analysis of the technique through practise and reflective peer supervision of a live case. Participants are encouraged to try out the technique and bring material to the session. It is hoped that each person will have an opportunity to present material throughout the course.

Projective workshop – Learning Objectives:

• Sessions to revisit or cover anything pertinent to the group. It will also offer further opportunity to practise analysis and peer supervision of a live case.
• The final workshop will offer an opportunity to review the course and learning, and consider what participants want/need moving forwards in using projective assessment techniques.

Cost:

• Whole course - £499; Individual sessions - £99; Workshops - £35
• A limited number of 'early bird' tickets are available on a first come basis.
• Contact us regarding queires for any other concessions.

*Please note that there is a minimum number of participants required for this event to go ahead. Refunds will be given in the event that it is cancelled.

Cancellations, missed sessions and refunds:

• We will not be able to offer refunds for the course or any missed sessions.
• We will not be able to provide recorded sessions because material from live cases are discussed.
• We will provide all PowerPoints and resources for missed sessions and there may be opportunities to discuss similar content and skills in subsequent sessions.

Feedback:

“I think sometimes I stick to the types of projective tools I feel comfortable with but this has encouraged me to try out different ones... And I really like the way you group them (the different types of projective tools) first rather than going straight into one (e.g. The Kinetic Family Drawing)”.

“I just wanted to say that I have loved this! I am really interested in using a greater range of projective techniques but want to do so with more confidence. The EP service I went to straight from training was not particularly receptive to them but since I have moved I have enjoyed using a wider variety of tools and working in different ways. So... Thank you! Can't wait to do the ‘take home’ task”.

“Thank you. Since reading learning from the unconscious, it's an area I'd been hoping to explore so this training has been really timely! Looking forward to the rest of the course :-)”.

The Presenters

Dr Patrick Halcrow

Patrick works as a Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist for an Independent Service in Norfolk. He has worked in Local Authorities delivering psychological services to children, families and educational settings across London, Essex and Norfolk. He is interested in the emotional and relational aspects of teaching and learning. He completed his doctoral training at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation, where he was first introduced to projective assessment techniques. Since then, he has undertaken further training in using the Rorschach Comprehensive System and is an Executive Board Member of the British Society for the Rorschach and Projective Methods. Patrick presented and participated in the centenary Congress of the International Society of the Rorschach and Projective Methods in Geneva 2022. He has completed further training at the Tavistock in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with children, young people, and families. https://www.childpsychotherapynorwich.co.uk/trainingsupervision

Dr Monique Davis

Monique works as a senior specialist educational psychologist in London. She has worked across London local authorities providing a psychological service to children, families and settings for over a decade. Monique is interested in the emotional and relational aspects of learning, and jointly leads a mental health support team. Monique undertook her doctoral training at the Tavistock clinic, where she first encountered projective techniques. She has developed her understanding of projective assessment through experience, supervision and reflective practice. She is the Vice President for Projective Methods within the British Society of the Rorschach and Projective Methods.

Contact & Affiliations:

• If you would like to join our mailing list to hear about developments and further events, please e-mail ep.projectives@gmail.com.
• Members of the British Society of the Rorschach and Projective Methods: https://www.rorschachuk.org/