Developing a psychoanalytic approach to working with children and adolescents
Online Work Discussion Group
Training Location: Online. Part-time course.
This course offers the opportunity for those currently engaged in direct work with children or young people to discuss aspects of that work in a weekly seminar led by a senior child psychotherapist.
The aim of the course is to develop and enhance psychoanalytic understanding of the emotional growth and behaviour of children and adolescents and to consider its application in current work.
Currently accepting applications for September 2026.
- Course content
- Course structure
- Entry requirements
- Course fees
- How to apply
- Resources
The course is facilitated by senior Child Psychotherapists who are Members of the bpf and ACP.
Group members’ experience in their own settings will form the basis of discussion and will be linked to relevant theoretical concepts. As a work discussion seminar, participants are expected to bring detailed presentations of their work, which will be considered through a psychoanalytic framework.
The work discussion group will pay careful attention to the different contexts in which work with children and families takes place.
This year-long programme takes place online across three terms. Each term is composed of 10 weekly evening sessions on Mondays, from 7pm until 8:30pm.
The participants will meet weekly to present and discuss their work with children, young people, and families using a psychoanalytic framework. While there is no required reading for each seminar, participants may be encouraged to pursue recommended reading.
There is no formal assessment or submission required for completion. However, participants who wish to do so may submit a short paper (3,000-4,000 words) at the end of the programme. This may be particularly relevant for those considering further training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.
Upon successful completion, participants may request to receive a certificate of attendance.
Term Dates 2026-27
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 28th September | Monday, 11th January | Monday, 19th April |
| Monday, 5th October | Monday, 18th January | Monday 26th April |
| Monday, 12th October | Monday, 25th January | Monday, 10th May |
| Monday, 19th October | Monday, 1st February | Monday 17th May |
| Monday, 26th October – Half Term | Monday, 8th February | Monday, 24th May |
| Monday, 2nd November | Monday, 15th February – Half Term | Monday, 31st May – Half Term |
| Monday, 9th November | Monday, 22nd February | Monday, 7th June |
| Monday, 16th November | Monday, 1st March | Monday, 14th June |
| Monday, 23rd November | Monday, 8th March | Monday 21st June |
| Monday, 30th November | Monday, 15th March | Monday, 28th June |
| Monday, 7th December | Monday, 22nd March | Monday 5th July |
While there are no formal entry requirements, this programme is suited to those currently engaged in direct work with children or young people to discuss aspects of that work in a weekly seminar led by a senior Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist.
Those working with children, young people, and families (such as in education, nurseries, or voluntary settings) are welcome to apply. This course will also be relevant to those considering further training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.
The course is delivered at postgraduate level in English. A minimum of 80% attendance at seminars is required for completion.
Please note that fees will be subject to annual increases in line with inflation in the UK.
There is a non-refundable application fee of £25.
On offer of a place, you will be invited to register and pay the fees through a secure payment link. A place will only be secured once the fee has been paid.
To apply for this course, please contact Sandra Pereira at [email protected]
Blogs
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
How to become a psychotherapist in the UK – The British Psychotherapy Foundation
My Journey as a Black Trainee in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy – The British Psychotherapy Foundation
How Couples Psychotherapy Can Transform Relationships – The British Psychotherapy Foundation
Why become a psychotherapist? (part I)
Why become a psychotherapist? (part II)
Videos
What’s it like to be a psychotherapist? Psychoanalytic psychotherapist (youtube.com)
What’s it like to be a psychotherapist? Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist (youtube.com)
What’s it like to be a psychotherapist? Jungian Analyst (youtube.com)
The standard of teaching was exceptional, and the course structure fostered an environment conducive to our growth and development as clinicians. Regular weekly supervision sessions allowed us to strengthen our peer relationships while deepening our learning.
bpf Student
Simply, it exceeded all my expectations, and sufficiently impressed and enthused me to consider a future career in psychotherapy. On a personal level it has changed me; something that has been accelerated by beginning my own personal analysis. I find myself thinking about non-verbal communications much more as a consequence of having attended the course.”
bpf Student
The course has allowed me to dip my toe into the analytic world and provided a broad overview of the analytic landscape. It has enhanced my understanding of psychoanalytic ideas and I’ve particularly benefited from speaking to experienced clinicians. The discussion groups in particular have been useful to clarify my own ideas and get a different perspective from others. Overall, it has helped me to determine if I would like to pursue work in this field.”
bpf Student
New Courses & Reading Groups
- Certificate in Psychodynamic Couple Theory – (Hybrid – London & Online , Starts September 2026)
- Intensive Summer School: Foundations of Psychoanalytic & Jungian Psychotherapy – (Taught Online, Thursday 16th to Monday 20th July, 2026)
- Psychodynamic and Jungian Theory for Qualified Practitioners – (Taught Online, October 2026)
- Reading Group – ‘Reading Bion’ – (Taught Online, Commences January 2027)
- Reading Group – ‘Reading Freud’ – (Taught Online, Commences January 2027)
- Reading Group – Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association – (Taught Online, Rolling Entry)
bpf North:
- Foundation Course (Taught in Newcastle, October 2026)
- Psychoanalytic & Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training (Taught in Newcastle & Online, October 2026)
Upcoming Events
- Hierarchies and Fragmentations in Psychoanalysis – Date(s): 23rd April, 14th May, 2nd July & 12th September, 2026. Venue: Online and In Person. Event series + conference, in collaboration with CPJA and UKCP. Find out more.
- Online Open Evening: Couple Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Training and Certificate in Psychodynamic Couple Theory – Date: 3rd June. Time: 17:30 – 18:30. Venue: Online. Register here.
- bpf Annual Lecture with Juliet Rosenfeld (Public) – Date: 6th June, 2026. Venue: Online and in-person at The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT. Buy tickets here.
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