Couple Psychodynamics: An Introduction to Training and Practice

Want to find out more about working with couples?

Perhaps you’ve thought about training in couple therapy?

Or you’re curious how many individual patients bring relationship problems to therapy, but unsure how to address this.

If you’ve wondered about any of the above, then this event will be of interest to you.

The aim of the evening will be twofold: first, Leezah Hertzmann will describe how an understanding of a 'couple state of mind’ is crucial for working with individual patients/clients. Clinicians who undertake further training in couple work often comment on how it deepens their understanding of unconscious relational dynamics in a different way from individual therapy, where the therapist only hears ‘one side of the story.’ 

During the evening, Leezah will present some of the latest developments in couple psychoanalytic theory, describing experiences of working with couples and the ways it differs from individual work.  

Secondly, there will be an opportunity to hear all about the BPF’s 2-year training in couple psychodynamic psychotherapy. This is a high-quality, robust training, where suitably qualified psychotherapists can gain BPC registration as a couple psychotherapist (and there are no written requirements).  

As well as covering contemporary and classical psychoanalytic theory as it applies to couples, the course foregrounds thinking about the diverse range of adult partnerships regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, living together or apart, with or without children, and throughout the life cycle. Central to this is addressing the conscious and unconscious impact of discrimination within relationships (e.g. homophobia, racism, ageism, class, disability, etc.).  

About the Speaker

Leezah Hertzmann is principal couple and individual psychoanalytic psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and in private practice. She is also the Course Director of the BPF’s Couple Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training. Alongside her interest in training the next generation of psychotherapists, she has a career-long interest in psychoanalytic theory and technique with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples and is a member of the British Psychoanalytic Council’s Committee on Sexual and Gender Diversity. Leezah was the recipient of two British Psychoanalytic Council awards: one in 2015 for innovation in relation to developing evidence-based interventions for couple conflict/ violence, and the second in 2019 with Juliet Newbigin, for Psychoanalysis and Diversity. Leezah teaches and publishes widely.

*If you are a psychotherapist or counsellor residing in an active conflict zone, you are eligible to attend this event free of charge (regardless of whether you are a bpf member or not). Please email membership@bpf-psychotherapy to enquire about a ticket.