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The British Psychoanalytic Association, BPA is a Society within the British Association of Psychotherapists, BAP. The BPA is also a society of the International Psychoanalytical Association, IPA and offers an IPA approved training in psychoanalysis. We are looking forward to attracting candidates from a wide range of disciplines and working backgrounds who will contribute to and enliven our new Society. It also has a Low Fee Service offering low cost psychoanalysis; for further information click here

Applying to Train

Application to the training is open to you if you are a graduate with a degree in either the humanities or the sciences. In addition, it is expected that you will have had some clinical experience in the field of mental health, whether in a voluntary or professional capacity.
Also, successful applicants are required to have been in analysis with a BPA approved training analyst at a minimum of four times a week, for at least one year prior to starting the training and are expected to continue at least four times weekly throughout their Training.

Content of the Course:
  • The first year of Training involves a supervised Infant Observation and a close study of the development of Freud’s ideas including a discussion on ‘What is Psychoanalysis’.
  • The second year, in which candidates begin treatment of two patients under individual supervision, includes teaching on the major contributions to clinical and theoretical thinking from contemporary Freudian, Kleinian and Independent/Object Relations schools.
  • The third and fourth years include seminars on psychopathology and further developments in psychoanalytic concepts and technique.

From Year Two until completion of Training, candidates attend regular Clinical Seminars led by experienced analysts from each of the different orientations. The theoretical curriculum lasts four years. We are expecting, that candidates will take, on average, about four to six years to complete all of the training requirements.

During the Training

As a Candidate Member of the BPA you will enjoy the stimulation of a community of professional colleagues, an environment that encourages further learning, an opportunity to attend IPA congresses and meet candidates and analysts from around the world as well as having access to the many facilities of the BAP House in North London, including its library and consulting room facilities.

On Completion

Successful completion of the training leads to membership of the IPA, the BPA, the BAP and further opportunities to participate fully in the ongoing intellectual, scientific and organisational life of these organisations. Qualification also leads to eligibility for registration
with the British Psychoanalytic Council, BPC.

The Prospectus can be downloaded here. For further information please visit www.psychoanalysis-bpa.org or contact:

Jessica Jarmon, BPA/BAP Training Co-ordinator,
37 Mapesbury Road, London NW2 4HJ
Telephone: 020 8452 9823
Email: training@psychoanalysis-bpa.org

We will be pleased to arrange an informal preliminary interview for people who are considering applying and who wish to know more about this new training in psychoanalysis. To arrange this please contact Joscelyn Richards on 020 8458 3541.

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