Reading Freud

This reading group is intended for:

• psychoanalysts and psychotherapists
• trainees and candidates
• professionals in mental health and related disciplines
• those with a serious interest in Freud’s work

Participants should be willing to engage closely with primary texts over an extended period.

Year 1: Early writings

(Commencing Autumn 2026)

This first year offers a sustained engagement with Freud’s early work. Through close reading, participants will follow the development of psychoanalytic thinking as it takes shape across a range of writings.

Spring Term

The Spring term focuses on Freud’s early clinical and theoretical texts, in which central psychoanalytic ideas begin to emerge.

Summer Term

The Summer term turns to writings in which Freud develops and extends his theoretical formulations.

Autumn Term

The Autumn term considers Freud’s early technical papers and related writings on the practice of psychoanalysis.

The group will meet online on a weekday evening for 8 weeks during each term, and will be conducted in a spirit of enquiry and without judgement, facilitated by an experienced psychoanalytic psychotherapist. 

• Duration: One academic year. Participants will need to commit to the full year.
• Structure: Three terms (Spring, Summer, Autumn; no meetings during academic holidays)
• Frequency: Three seminars per month during term-time
• Mode: Online
• Time: Weekday Evening
• Format: Close reading and discussion

The seminar is conducted as a reading group, with emphasis on careful engagement with Freud’s texts and their clinical and theoretical implications.

The group is open to applicants with a serious interest in closely reading Freud’s works. The programme is delivered at a postgraduate level.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of a written personal statement (max. 500 words), where we encourage applicants to outline their interest in the subject, their commitment to attendance, and what they hope to learn from their experience.  

Attendance & Participation

Applications from those who can commit to attending the full academic year.

Those attending this reading group online will commit to upholding the bpf’s policies and statues outlined here: Policies & Procedures – The British Psychotherapy Foundation.   

We are unable to accept applications from candidates who anticipate being unable to attend at least 80% of the sessions – this is to ensure all participants are given the opportunity to engage in lively discussion, allowing for a cross-fertilisation of ideas, experiences and contributions. 

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the academic year. The reading lists will be available before the start of each term. Reading material will be provided where applicable. 

View Course Fees

Please note that fees will be subject to annual increases in line with inflation in the UK.

On offer of a place, you will be invited to register and pay via debit card through a secured payment page.

Please note the fees outlined are non-refundable in the event of withdrawal. Those who accept a place on this reading group will be required to pay the fee in full. 

Concessions are available to those wishing to attend the whole year (3 Terms), to current members and trainees, and to bpf alumni.

• Annual fee – £1170
• Concession for bpf members, trainees and alumni (3 terms) – £1000

To apply for this course please complete the application form below.

Application deadlines for 2026/27:

To join in January 2027 (Year 1 of cycle), the application deadline is October 15th, 2026.