MA, PG Dip Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy

This course offers a comprehensive understanding of psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy, covering both individual and couple therapy. You will learn how to work with clients using a range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, and psychoanalytic theories. The course is designed for students who want to pursue a career in counselling or psychotherapy, and can also be beneficial for those already working in the field who want to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Additional Information

The course includes a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and individual study. You will have access to expert tutors and practitioners, as well as opportunities to observe and participate in live therapy sessions. The course also includes a research project or dissertation, which allows you to explore a specific area of interest in depth.

Unlock Your Potential at Birkbeck: The Premier Destination for Counselling and Psychotherapy Training

Birkbeck University of London is a world-renowned institution for counselling and psychotherapy training. Our faculty consists of leading experts in the field, and our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in this rewarding profession. Plus, our location in central London provides easy access to a diverse range of mental health settings, offering unparalleled opportunities for practical learning.

Our new MA and Postgraduate Diploma in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a career as a psychodynamic therapist for couples and individuals. You will gain the academic requirements for training leading towards accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Through experiential learning and your own experience of personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy, you will develop an analytical understanding of self and other, and interpersonal dynamics. A diverse range of family structures is also studied in this course and we encourage an inclusive approach to couple relationships through reading, discussion groups, and self-reflection.

Key areas of study include:

how to assess the core issue that can be presented by clients

the principles of working psychodynamically with a focus on unconscious processes and transference

key psychoanalytic models of the mind

the historical development of psychoanalytic thought

complex theoretical concepts and how they are applied to the couple's relationship.

a second-class honors degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent professional qualification