Foundations of psychodynamic psychotherapy

Course overview

Validated by University of Essex, this course forms part one of the training that enables you to be registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council. You will be introduced to a psychoanalytic way of thinking about your clinical work which will form a solid foundation from which to pursue further training in psychotherapy. This course is also available in a daytime version (D58).

Course outline

Centred on clinical work you will undertake a supervised clinical placement, where you will see a patient for psychotherapy once a week for a period of a whole calendar year. You will also learn through supervision groups, clinical seminars and online lectures on fundamental psychoanalytic concepts and texts.

This is a three year Masters level course. Students may exit after two years with a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip).

Why study this course with us?

This course will introduce to clinical work in psychodynamic psychotherapy and will help you gain a deeper understanding of your clinical work and dynamics in clinical settings by approaching these from a psychoanalytic point of view. You will be able to apply the knowledge in a range of settings other than actual psychotherapy.

The course provides the first part of a unique, British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) accredited training in psychodynamic psychotherapy. All staff teaching on the course are experienced practising psychoanalytic psychotherapists or psychoanalysts. The course has received a very high student satisfaction rating on teaching and student support.

Who is this course for?

This course is for mental health professionals who work across a number of sectors, including the NHS. You might be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or nurse, or be in another mental health role in the NHS or voluntary sector. Even if you don’t have a clinical background, you can still be considered if you have sufficient experience of working in relevant settings, and if you have completed some psychoanalytically informed introductory training and a psychiatric placement prior to applying.

Assessment

Assessment is through a mixture of essays and written academic submissions on psychoanalytic theory as well as your clinical work with your patient. Clinical work is assessed by your supervisors and clinical seminar leaders who will provide feedback on whether you are able to pass the clinical element of the course. All assessments are undertaken by course staff, verified by the Course Lead as well as other staff and then ratified by the assessment board of the University of Essex.

In order to undertake this course, we ask that you: have a good honours degree ; have a professional qualification in Mental Health OR significant direct experience, paid or voluntary, of working within mental health (at least one year). Are established in therapy with a BPC registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist or psychoanalyst (NOT a psychodynamic psychotherapist) prior to starting the course, or ideally by the time you apply.