Psychodynamic and Jungian Theory for Qualified Practitioners

The programme is pluralistic in approach. It prioritises contemporary psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and Jungian theory, whilst also drawing on research findings and relevant ideas from other disciplines. Participants will be encouraged to consider the implications of psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and Jungian theory for their existing therapeutic practice.

Participants will be enabled to integrate psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and Jungian thinking and ways of working into their own approach to psychotherapy and examine their own and others’ practice through a psychodynamic lens.

Participants will learn about the theoretical foundations of a psychodynamic/Jungian approach and how to develop a psychodynamic/Jungian sensibility and frame. You will learn about how our patients’ feelings about us and our feelings about our patients affect the therapeutic relationship. The course will also cover attachment theory, neuroscience, theories of development, working with conflict, defence and resistance, and navigating difference and power dynamics in the clinical encounter.

The programme encourages a respect for difference and otherness, and as well as considering the differences in therapeutic modality participants will bring.

Key themes across the 10 months will include:

Study day 1 (Oct ‘25) – Core assumptions of psychoanalytic and Jungian theory

Study day 2 (Nov ‘25) – The therapeutic relationship and the analytic frame

Study day 3 (Dec ‘25) – Working with the unconscious

Study Day 4 (Jan ‘26) – Unconscious conflict and defence mechanisms

Study Day 5 (Feb ‘26) – Human development and the lifespan

Study Day 6 (March ‘26) – Our patients’ feelings about us and our feelings about our patients (transference and countertransference)

Study Day 7 (April ’26) – The implications of attachment theory for understanding our patients

Study Day 8 (May ’26) – Working with trauma from a psychodynamic and Jungian lens.

Study Day 9 (June ’26) – Working with difference, diversity and social justice

Study Day 10 (July ’26) – The neurosciences and ‘the evidence base’ for analytic and Jungian approaches

The course is held entirely online, between 10am and 3pm, and will take place one Saturday a month for 10 months (October – July). We have chosen to hold the course at weekends to allow you to continue your work as a therapist alongside the course.

The mornings will consist of two theory seminars led by senior analysts from the psychoanalytic and Jungian traditions. You will learn from a diverse group of senior clinicians and thinkers, who are experts in their subject areas. Each seminar leader will teach their seminar in their own way and style, but as a minimum, they will:

• Explain and develop ‘the theme’ to be discussed in the seminar, including its historical origins
• Include recent developments (including research), thinking and controversies in the subject area
• Provide several clinical examples from your own practice or clinical vignettes to bring the theme ‘alive’ clinically

All students on the course attend the theory seminars together.

In the afternoon, there will be facilitated discussion groups. Students will be divided into 2 smaller groups, and will have the opportunity to engage and interact with each seminar leader from the morning.

In discussion groups, your seminar leaders will:

• Promote respectful discussion
• Allow space for each of you to think about how ‘the theme’ introduced that day and how it can be applied to your own current practice with patients
• Encourage questions, debate, critical thinking and allow challenge
• Encourage co-operative learning and minimise competitiveness

The intention is to encourage creativity and playing with ideas, sharing approaches so that your learning and development is maximized.

For those who want it, we will organise participants into peer supervision groups so that they could discuss their learning and clinical application together. 

Indicative timetable:

• 10:00am – Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic clinical lecture on designated theme (ALL students attend)
• 11:00am – Jungian clinical lecture on designated theme (ALL students attend)
• 11:00-11:30am – Break
• Students are divided into 2 smaller groups
• 11.30-1:00pm – 2 discussion groups happen simultaneously. Half of the student group join a discussion with a psychoanalytic/psychodynamic practitioner, while the other half of the student group will join a discussion with a Jungian practitioner
• 1:00-1:30pm – Break
• 1:00-3:00pm – The groups swap over, with half of the student group joining a discussion with a psychoanalytic/psychodynamic practitioner, while the other half of the student group will join a discussion with a Jungian practitioner

You will need to have current professional clinical registration with a recognized professional body such as Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) or Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). 

It doesn’t matter if you come from a humanistic, person-centred, existential, CBT or any other therapeutic background. All you need for this course is a professional interest in psychoanalytic and Jungian thinking and a willingness to enhance your current practice through engagement with psychoanalytic and Jungian thought and theory. 

2025/26 Fees:

The total cost of the course is £1650 and the course length is 1 year.

For more information about fees, please contact the Training Manager at: [email protected]

While we envisage this course as a form of CPD for most participants, some of you may wish to train further with us and undertake one of our qualifying trainings in psychodynamic, psychoanalytic or Jungian psychotherapy. This course may be used as preparation for you to apply to these other trainings.

You do not have to be in your own personal analysis with an approved psychoanalytic or Jungian analyst to do this course, but you would need to have this in place if you want to pursue further qualifying training with us.

Applications for an October 2025 start are open.

Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis, and will be reviewed by senior members of staff at the bpf. It would be advantageous for applicants to be able to demonstrate that the course will enhance their existing clinical practice and/or contribute to their professional development.

There is a one-off application fee of £25. After completing the application form, you will be directed to a payment page. We are unable to consider your application until the application fee has been paid.

Upon being offered a place on this course, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £400 to secure your place within 10 days of receiving an offer. You place is not confirmed until this has been paid. This deposit will deducted from the total course fees.

To apply for this course, click the button below:

If you have any questions about this course or making an application, please email the Training Manager at: [email protected]