Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training
Train to work with clients once per week.
This course leads to qualification as an adult psychodynamic psychotherapist, ready to work with clients once per week. We expect this training to be accredited by the BPC, as with all of our other qualifying trainings. We will be sharing more details in due course.
Our Foundation Course is now the first year of this 4-year bpf psychodynamic psychotherapy training. After completing the Foundation Course you can apply to join year 2 of the bpf psychodynamic psychotherapy training, which takes a further 3 years to complete and leads to qualification as a psychodynamic psychotherapist.
If you have completed a similar foundation course elsewhere you can still be considered for entry to year 2 of the programme, however the external training will need to cover the same core components of our Foundation Course.
The curriculum will include a multi-theoretical exploration of psychotherapeutic concepts, including: psychoanalytic, Kleinian, Jungian and Independent schools of thought. During the training, students will undertake a placement in an NHS setting, as well as working with patients in private practice. As a result, graduates will be well equipped to work in either an organisational setting or to set up their own psychotherapy practice.
Applications for year 1 of this training, our Foundation Course, starting in October 2023 are now closed. Applications for October 2024 entry will open again in September.
Applications for year 1 of the bpf Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training (Foundation Course) starting in October 2024 are now open.
- Course structure
- Course fees
- How to apply
Year 1
Year 1 of this course is comprised of a theory module and a clinical module. The content will be delivered through seminars, discussion groups, and a clinical placement.
Theory module
The Theory module consists of seminars that take place on Saturday study days, once per month (choose online or in-person attendance).
On each Saturday study day, two seminars are delivered on a specific theme; one seminar offers a psychoanalytic perspective, the other a Jungian perspective. In the initial seminars, you will be introduced to a range of theories and models of mind, starting with Freud and Jung all the way through to the present day. The rest of the seminars will take a more applied approach, exploring how ‘Psychotherapy’ can be thought about and practiced ‘Today’.
Each Saturday study day is finished with an experiential group, which is an excellent way to learn about and experience unconscious processes and group dynamics.
Clinical Module
The clinical module will include a clinical placement, as well as taught clinical seminars and discussion groups. In the first half of taught semainars, students will learn about:
- Setting up a therapeutic frame
- The core components of the therapeutic relationship
- Transference and counter-transference
- Holding an analytic attitude
In the second half of these seminars, a work discussion group will take place where students will have the opportunity to reflect upon their experiences during placement in a supportive setting.
FOUNDATION COURSE – CLINICAL TERM DATES 2023-2024
2023/2024 Clinical Seminar Dates:
Term 1
5 October 2023
19 October 2023
02 November 2023
23 November 2023
07 December 2023
Term 2
11 January 2024
25 January 2024
08 February 2024
22 February 2024
07 March 2024
Tutorials
Students will be allocated a tutor to support them during their studies. Tutors will also help to prepare students with their applications for further study.
other course components
You will be provided with suggested reading and watching lists and can immerse yourself as deeply as you wish.
Dates for Theory Module 2023/2024: October intake
October 21, 2023
November 18, 2023
December 09, 2023
January 27, 2024
February 24, 2024
March 23, 2024
April 27, 2024
May 25, 2024
June 22, 2024
July 13, 2024
Years 2, 3 & 4
In years 2, 3 & 4 of this course, trainees will undertake a multi-theoretical exploration of psychotherapeutic concepts, including: psychoanalytic, Kleinian, Jungian and Independent schools of thought.
Students also will also undertake a placement in an NHS setting, and work with their own patients in private practice. This work experience will be discussed in regular group supervision.
The goal of years 2, 3 & 4 is for students to develop their unique identity as a practitioner, to discuss the challenges they face, to continue their own self-reflection in personal psychotherapy, and to prepare for practicing as a professional psychodynamic psychotherapist.
During years 2, 3 & 4, students must remain in personal psychodynamic psychotherapy with an approved therapist (BPC accredited).
This training takes 4 years to complete, and the course fees for 2024/25 are as follows:
Foundation Course (Year 1) – £5150
Clinical Training (Years 2-4) – £6850
To work with clients, all trainees must hold a bpf trainee membership.
Trainee membership costs:
£95 during Foundation Course
£135 p/a during years 2, 3 & 4 until qualification.
Visit our Foundation Course page to apply for Year 1 of this training.
If you have completed a Foundation Course at another organisation, you may be considered for entry into Year 2 of the course. Please email: pdtraining@bpf-psychotherapy.org.uk to discuss your eligibility.
It has been wonderful to have studied at the bpf, it has changed so many perspectives in my life and I truly cherish this rich experience.”
Catia, bpf Student
Simply, it exceeded all my expectations, and sufficiently impressed and enthused me to consider a future career in psychotherapy. On a personal level it has changed me; something that has been accelerated by beginning my own personal analysis. I find myself thinking about non-verbal communications much more as a consequence of having attended the course.”
bpf Student
The ‘course has allowed to dip my toe into the analytic world and provided a broad overview of the analytic landscape. It has enhanced my understanding of psychoanalytic ideas and I’ve particularly benefited from speaking to experienced clinicians. The discussion groups in particular have been useful to clarify my own ideas and get a different perspective from others. Overall, it has helped me to determine if I would like to pursue work in this field.”
bpf Student