New psychodynamic psychotherapy training

Our new, streamlined psychodynamic psychotherapy training is now open for applications for September 2024.

This year, we have taken the exciting step of combining our popular Foundations of psychodynamic psychotherapy (D58) training with our qualifying courses in Inter-cultural psychodynamic psychotherapy (D59I) and Forensic psychodynamic psychotherapy (D59F) to create a new, four-year course – offering a smoother, more cohesive learning experience for our students.

The new Psychodynamic psychotherapy (M58) training will develop both the theoretical understanding and clinical experience needed to practise effectively as a psychodynamic or forensic psychotherapist in a wide range of settings. And, just like our current training, the new course will also be delivered in London via evening classes (BM58) and in Leeds (M58L).

Students may choose to graduate after three years with a Master’s degree, or complete the full four years of training and also be eligible to practise clinically. The new courses will be validated by the University of Essex, and accredited by the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC).

Course lead, Rodrigo Sanchez, has been instrumental in planning and implementing this change. He explains: “We hosted focus groups, shared questionnaires with students, lecturers and other professionals, and conducted analysis of other institutions all over the world, to help us think about how we want to work and what we expect from our students, and to develop a better sense of why we are doing what we are doing.”

A key ambition behind the decision to combine our foundation and qualifying training was to provide students with a simpler, more streamlined learning experience. “Having a single pathway towards accreditation is much clearer and more user-friendly”, says Rodrigo. “It allows students to concentrate on their progression and the development of key psychotherapeutic techniques, rather than being preoccupied with concerns such as the application process. This approach also grants students the flexibility to manage course requirements without unnecessary rushes or delays.”

The consolidation has also facilitated a review of the course content and approach. For Rodrigo, when it comes to preparing students for the challenges of contemporary clinical practice, raising awareness of the latest research and methods is just as important as building understanding of classic psychoanalytic principles. He explains: “Just because a paper was written in 2020 doesn’t mean it’s better than something written in 1912. But if you are only following tradition blindly then you are embracing the ashes of the past. Nowadays we tend to work in a shorter timeframe and once a week, which is different to psychoanalysis in its classic form. So, in our training, we are prioritising a mixture of classic theory and modern ways of working.” As a result, students can expect to engage with a diverse range of reading materials, case studies and guest lecturers – encompassing a broad spectrum of perspectives, ideas and interpretations – as well as participating extensively in clinical placements and seminars, and experiential learning activities.

“We hope that the new course will be more inclusive, comprehensive and tailored to meet the evolving needs of our students and the sector,” says Rodrigo. “The transformational process that every student needs to undergo to become a therapist is a unique experience, in which we blend our own therapeutic journey with our role as therapists, to create an analytic space for others. With this new course, we aim to create a safe and enriching space, where our students can learn not only from each other but also from our lecturers, supervisors, their therapists, their placements, readings and patients. We are excited about the opportunities this course will offer for a more fulfilling and enriching educational experience – building on our rich history of psychotherapeutic training at the Tavistock and Portman”.

Our first cohorts of M58, BM58 and M58L students will begin their training in September 2024, with applications open now. Students who are currently undertaking our existing trainings, or planning to apply for our qualifying courses this year, will be unaffected by this change. You can learn more by reviewing our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or joining us for an free open event, hosted by our course teams.