Pre-Foundation Course
Monday evenings 8-9.30pm on Zoom
January – July 2026
Participants will be introduced to core concepts and how these may be expressed in the consulting room or in the ways we relate to each other. Reading will be provided and participants will take it in turns to present material and encouraged to contribute to the discussions.
This course is made up of a series of 20 online seminars over two academic terms and will include a combination of theoretical and clinical discussion for which participants will be asked to complete readings and to bring clinical vignettes, or a scenario from their workplace, to discuss in the light of psychoanalytic ideas. Each seminar will be led by a pair of experienced BPA analysts and each set of 5 seminars will be led by a different pair of BPA analysts introducing the participants to a variety of approaches and styles.
Some of the subjects we will explore include what Psychoanalysis is and how it differs from other forms of psychotherapy; we will think about the psychoanalytic setting, conscious vs unconscious communication and how we listen for unconscious communication; we will think about what transference is, how this is experienced and why it is important; we will consider how early experience impacts later patterns of relating, what ego defences are and how they manifest as well as exploring the Oedipus Complex from a contemporary standpoint.
Reading will be provided and required.
Participants will be required to take a turn at presenting.
Participants will be required to abide by the rules of confidentiality.
Participants will be required to have their screen cameras on.
These discussions will not be recorded.
An attendance certificate will be provided (min. 75% attendance required)
Eligibility
This course is suited to those who are interested in psychoanalytic thinking, may have some relevant clinical experience and who may have had some therapy or analysis of their own. People may like to attend the Introductory Lectures before, or alongside, the Pre-Foundation Course.
Working in a clinical situation currently is not required.
Being in personal therapy currently is not required
Structure
20 online group seminars over two academic terms. Each term will have a half term break.
To enable group discussion and to ensure confidentiality regular attendance is required and participants will be required to have their screens on. Each set of 5 seminars will be led by a different pair of BPA analysts.
These sessions will not be recorded.
Dates:
Term 1: 12th January – 23rd March Half Term: 16th Feb
Term 2: 13th April – 6th July Half Term: 1st June
Full dates:
Term 1
12th January – 9th February
Half Term: 16th February
23rd February – 23rd March
Easter Break
Term 2
13th April – 25th May
Half Term: 1st June
15th June – 6th July
(NB. May 4 and 25 are Bank Holidays)
Fees
£650 per person; £550 with concessions.
Application Process
Please complete the online application form.
Deadline for applications: 30/11/2025
For enquiries about concessions, please contact: Joyce Samuel-Ouadjo, Training Co-ordinator at training@psychoanalysis-bpa.org
For enquiries about the course content, please contact the Course Lead, Sarah Miller at sarah@sarahmillerconsulting.com
Cancellation policy: 2 weeks before the course start date and at our discretion.