Foundation Course – Psychotherapy & Counselling (Newcastle)

Our foundation course will provide trainees with all of the support, guidance, theory and experience they need prior to undertaking a clinical training.

Students will learn from experienced psychoanalytic psychotherapy clinicians, academics and researchers, and be taught to the bpf’s rigorous clinical and academic standards. Each trainee will also be provided with a tutor who will support them with their studies and offer further career guidance.

Further details are to be confirmed.

This course will be of interest to those looking to take their first steps towards becoming an accredited psychotherapist or counsellor.

Students that successfully complete this foundation course will have all of the theoretical and clinical experience needed for bpf North’s Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training, or other clinical trainings in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic practice taught elsewhere.

The course is open to all sections of society and encourages applications from a diverse range of people. You may already be working in the caring professions (such as a GP, Social Worker or Nursery Nurse) or you might come from a completely different background.

Life experience is strongly valued. Just bring your curiosity, openness and an interest in exploring new ways of looking at the self and the world.

The theory module syllabus has been designed to facilitate reflection on the ways in which psychoanalytic thinking can be applied to both one’s personal experience as well as political and social issues. You will examine questions ranging from ‘What is a mind?’ and ‘How do we become who we are?’ to thinking about issues like group dynamics, racism and homophobia.

In the clinical module, students will gain essential practical experience and start formulating their identities as practitioners. The taught component of the clinical module will also teach students about the nature of the therapeutic relationship and how to develop an analytic attitude.

2025/2026 Fees

Total course cost:  £5150

The Foundation Course fee can be paid in termly instalments. 

Please contact: [email protected] to find out more.

Please note that the bpf will not be held responsible for travel/hotel expenses made or incurred in the unlikely event of this course either being cancelled or postponed. See our cancellation and refund policies for more information.

Student membership

Whilst studying, Foundation Course students must hold a bpf student membership, which costs £101.65 per year (the course takes one year to complete). This will entitle you to access the bpf library and journals, member events and other networking opportunities.

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.

We intend to teach this course on Saturday study days in Newcastle upon Tyne (once per month), alongside online seminars. This will make the training more accessible for trainees in surrounding cities in the North of England, such as Leeds, Manchester, Bradford, Liverpool, and Sheffield. This structure also makes training more feasible for those who live in some areas of Scotland, such as Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.

Further details are to be confirmed.

Although not a requirement we highly recommend that students are in therapy to help support you on the course. Learning of this nature can stir up unexpected feelings and it is really helpful to have a place to work these through. Being in therapy is a requirement for entry onto further qualifying training. If you have any questions about this, please email: [email protected]

If you would like more information on accessing therapy with a bpf member please click here.

Attend our Virtual Open Day to watch a presentation about this course.

Applications for a September 2025 start date open in January.

Register your interest to be the first to receive updates about this training.

You can contact us at: [email protected]