PPA Advanced Clinical Course

Course Content & Structure

The course runs over two years (six terms) and is taught by leading clinicians, divided between theory and clinical seminars. Each term is made up of five Saturday sessions from 10:00 to 13:15, with two 1.5-hour seminars separated by a 15-minute break. Seminars are delivered in person and on Zoom, depending on the term.

Two three times per week cases will be seen in tandem with the teaching. Each case will be supervised fortnightly by a different approved training supervisor.

The course aims to explore different ways of thinking about and conceptualising the analytic process – particularly how the therapist observes and selects from amongst the endless complexities of the clinical situation what they consider significant in the interaction. Therefore a major focus of the teaching will be on clinical questions of method and issues of technique. Uppermost will be practical issues regarding how, where and in what ways one might or might not intervene. The aim is to facilitate the individualised development of each course member through careful self-reflection of their own working methods and to help expand and refine them. This is a continuous process that works alongside key elements of a curriculum designed to support the deepening of practice and the integration of theoretical and clinical work.

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Programme 2026–28

This is a draft programme and may be subject to change.

Term	Seminar	Saturdays	Delivery
Term 1 Autumn 2026	Dispositions of advanced practice Mr John Glyn & Mrs Janthia Taylor	26 Sep*, 10 Oct, 24 Oct, 14 Nov, 28 Nov 2026	In person. Sessions 1 & 5 at bpf House (Oliver Sacks Room); sessions 2, 3 & 4 at the seminar leader’s consulting room
Term 2 Spring 2027	The analytic situation Mr Michael Halton	16 Jan, 30 Jan, 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 13 Mar 2027	In person. Sessions 1 & 4 at bpf House (Oliver Sacks Room); sessions 2, 3 & 5 at the seminar leader’s consulting room
Term 3 Summer 2027	Comparative clinical method Mr Laurence Spurling	24 Apr, 8 May, 22 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun 2027	Zoom
Term 4 Autumn 2027	Interventions Seminar leader to be confirmed	25 Sep, 9 Oct, 23 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov 2027	In person at bpf House (Oliver Sacks Room)
Term 5 Spring 2028	Working with the unconscious Ms Ann Scott	15 Jan, 29 Jan, 12 Feb, 26 Feb, 11 Mar 2028	In person at bpf House (Oliver Sacks Room)
Term 6 Summer 2028	Guest lectures Psychoanalytic psychotherapy: the future	29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun 2028	In person at bpf House (Oliver Sacks Room)

*The first session on Saturday 26 September 2026 starts at 09:15, giving course members time to meet members of the Post-Qualifying Course Committee before the first seminar.

Entry Requirements

The course is designed for PPA members who wish to develop their clinical practice and become Senior Members. Senior Membership is also a requirement for those who may later want to pursue the route to becoming a Training Therapist on the PPA training.

If you have any doubts or uncertainties about applying we are happy to discuss your concerns before formal application. Please therefore contact Janthia Taylor, Chair of the PPA Post Qualifying Committee in the first instance using [email protected]

Fees

PPA Advanced Clinical Course	Years 1-2	1700 (per year)
	Year 3+	284 (termly fee)

View All Course Fees 

Course fees are subject to annual increase. A full academic year consists of 3 terms.

If clinical work needs to continue beyond the two years of the training, there is a reduction in the annual fee (subject to annual increase). 

On offer of a place, you will be invited to pay your annual fee via secure payment link. This course is not eligible for instalment payment plans.

The preliminary deadline for applications to start in September 2026 is 5 May 2026.

Application Stages

Your application should consist of:

• Covering letter/email.
• Curriculum Vitae, including contact details of 2 clinical referees.
• Personal statement including your reasons for applying for the ACC, and describing what you would like to develop through the course.

If you have any questions about the course, please contact Janthia Taylor, Chair of the PPA Post Qualifying Committee: [email protected].

The course is run online so that it is available to as many bpf PPA members as possible. Occasionally there may be an in-person meeting. Please note that the building has limited access – please email [email protected] to discuss your needs.