PPA Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training

The PPA training prepares therapists to work intensively at a minimum frequency of three times per week, allowing for a deep therapeutic experience that seeks to address the root causes of emotional distress beyond alleviating symptoms. 

Our theory programme is grounded in the British Object Relations School, exploring the thinking and influence of Freud, Klein, Winnicott, Bion, the British Independents and Post-Kleinians, as well as contemporary contributions to psychoanalytic thinking and practice. Our focus is on the relevant application of Psychoanalytic ideas in the present day, grounding modern thinking in a thorough understanding of the past.  

You will be required to participate in seminars, undertake an infant observation, complete both clinical and psychiatric placements, and work with training patients under supervision for a significant period of time. 

For those interested in deepening their knowledge of psychoanalytic theory and explore its significance in contemporary settings, and those who are at the start of getting ready to apply but wish to strengthen their application to the full training, please visit our PPA Reading Group page. 

Our training runs from September to July, annually. 

There are two routes to qualification – the Full Training and the Modified Entry Scheme (MES). 

• The Full Training is suitable for those who have not completed a previous psychotherapy training. 

• The Modified Entry Scheme (MES) route is for those who already have a qualification in psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy as an adult therapist, child therapist or couple therapist, and have significant experience as an analysand in intensive work of at least 5 years duration. 

The PPA Training Committee is responsible for all aspects of the training, including selection, curriculum and clinical work with training patients. Each trainee is assigned a personal tutor who is a member of the Training Committee. 

The administration of the PPA Training is the responsibility of the PPA Training Manager, working closely with the various PPA Committees and the different bpf teams. 

The PPA qualifying course comprises: 

• Personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy/psychoanalysis at a minimum frequency of 3 times weekly with an approved PPA Training Therapist, in person, for the entire length of the training. 
• Infant Observation for a minimum of 12 months if not already undertaken. This is required before proceeding to take training patients. 
• A psychiatric placement, unless exempted by the Training Committee, undertaken for a minimum of half a day for 6 months. 
• A clinical placement for those with limited previous experience. 
• In-person attendance in weekly theoretical seminars over a minimum of 4 years, and clinical seminars, at which trainees are required to present their clinical work for discussion, until clinical requirements are met and the trainee is ready to qualify. 
• Undertaking clinical work with at least two intensive patients under supervision, for a period of 2 years and 18 months respectively. 
• The submission of six-monthly reports and a final clinical paper. 

Structure:

• Theory and clinical seminars take place on Tuesday evenings between 18:30 and 21:45, at the bpf house in Kilburn. 
• Each term includes two Saturday seminars and one plenary session with the PPA Training Committee. 
• Those completing an Infant Observation attend a further seminar per week. 
• Personal psychoanalysis between 3 to 5 times a week and weekly supervisions once seeing training patients must also be factored in.  

Personal Psychotherapy

Personal psychotherapy is essential for developing as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Trainees must have a solid understanding of their own emotional life in order to work safely and professionally with patients. 

All trainees are required to be in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at least three times a week from the start of training until qualification, with an approved PPA Training Therapist. 

Most applicants are already in intensive personal therapy before applying. If not, the PPA can help you find an approved training therapist. 

Applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds, including mental health and related professions, academia and the arts. Candidates are chosen based on their potential to learn and work effectively as psychoanalytic psychotherapists. Each application is carefully reviewed individually. 

Relevant Experience

• One-to-one experience supporting adults with emotional difficulties (professional or voluntary). 
• An academic qualification is common but not required if the applicant can demonstrate academic capability at postgraduate level. 
• Familiarity with psychoanalytic ideas. 
• Applicants without psychiatric experience must complete a psychiatric placement (before or during training). 
• Applicants with limited clinical experience must complete a clinical placement, at the discretion of the Training Committee. 

Infant Observation

Trainees gain direct experience of early emotional life by observing a mother and baby at home, once a week, for an hour. This helps develop the ability to notice early states of mind, nonverbal communication, and one’s own emotional responses. The observer learns to tolerate being both intimately involved with an infant and family, and able to observe from a position of thoughtful separateness, a vital preparation for clinical work. 

These observations begin at birth and last one or two years, depending on what is agreed with the family. Trainees write detailed weekly notes and discuss them in a seminar led by an experienced psychotherapist. A written piece based on the observation must be completed before starting work with the first training patient 

Find more information on our Infant Observation course here. 

Residence and Language 

All applicants for the PPA training are required to hold indefinite right to remain (ILR) in the UK, and to be in a position to support themselves financially during the training, which is an intensive clinical programme requiring long-term, in-person work with training patients. 

Please note that current student and/or any other time-limited visas do not meet the entry requirements for the PPA training. 

In order to attain qualification with the PPA, candidates are required to undertake long-term, in-person clinical work with training patients. Typically, trainees require five years or more to complete the programme. As this programme does not confer eligibility for a visa, we are unable to consider applications from individuals who do not possess indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom. 

The PPA training is delivered in English. Where English is not their first language, applicants may be asked to demonstrate that their use of spoken and written English is sufficient to participate in the academic and clinical components of the course. 

Successful applicants will need to apply for a DBS check or provide a valid certificate. For more information, please visit our Training FAQs page here: Training FAQs – The British Psychotherapy Foundation. 

Undertaking a clinical training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy represents a major personal investment in terms of time, finances and individual development.   

We are currently unable to offer financial support to trainees. However, we review our fees regularly with the aim to keep them as affordable as possible. The bpf does not subsidise transport or accommodation expenses. 

Personal therapy and supervision are not included in the course fees. 

View 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 four years of the training, there is a reduction in the annual fee (subject to annual increase). 
• If an Infant Observation is undertaken during the course, there is an additional fee. 
• Trainees also pay an annual bpf membership fee, which provides access to the bpf library, to PEPWEB (an excellent online resource of psychoanalytic literature), and access to bpf’s wide-ranging scientific and cultural life. 

For more information, visit this page to view the latest course fees. 

The cost of personal therapy is negotiated with the Training Therapist on an individual basis. Similarly, when beginning to work with training patients, the cost of supervision will be discussed with each Training Supervisor. Trainees will need to provide an appropriate setting to see training patients, and this may involve room rental costs.   

PPA Curriculum

Attend our Virtual Open Day to watch a presentation about this course.

Contact us at [email protected] to discuss any access requirements.

If you are considering training with the PPA, please complete our preliminary questionnaire here: 

Once received, we will be in touch with you to schedule a call with a member of our Training Committee to discuss your circumstances in more detail. 

Please note that the course for new trainees will begin in September 2026, not January as in previous years. The preliminary application deadline is set for 13 April 2026. Further details about the PPA Platform Year will be published shortly. 

Application Stages: 

• Preliminary Questionnaire 
• Informal discussion with a member of the PPA Training Committee 
• Submission of an Application Form (if recommended) 
• Undertaking two or more interviews with an experienced clinician, as required 
• Outcome 

Please ensure you have carefully read the information on the PPA pages of the bpf website including the entry requirements. 

Application fee: £170

If you have any queries, please contact the PPA Training Manager on [email protected]. 

The bpf is committed to diversity and inclusivity in all the work we deliver. We are fully dedicated to promoting, maintaining and supporting equality of opportunity in all aspects of our organisation and, as such, the bpf welcomes applications from all sections of society.