Code

PG25292

Title

Master of Arts in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Programme Purpose

The MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy programme is a thorough clinical and theoretical education in the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. It has a very strong research component. It is designed for learners interested in pursuing careers in the psychoanalytic psychotherapy practice in diverse settings in both private practice and employment. It is designed for learners interested in developing research skills appropriate to the field of psychoanalysis in order for them to support their own professional development and contribute significantly to the development of the psychoanalytic field nationally and internationally. The MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy programme is premised on the existence of unconscious mental functioning as discovered by, and articulated in, the work of Sigmund Freud, and developed in the work of Jacques Lacan. The purpose of the programme is to instil in its learners a real encounter with the fact of these unconscious mental processes. The design of the programme follows from this fundamental position. The three pillars of the programme – personal psychoanalysis, academic study and clinical experience – support the realisation of the purpose of the programme. The MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy programme is designed for learners who have encountered psychoanalysis in some capacity and have been drawn to pursue formal study and training in the field. They may or may not have engaged in prior formal study of psychoanalysis but will have been involved, educationally and/or experientially in areas related to psychology or psychotherapy. The programme is aimed at those who wish to acquire a postgraduate qualification in clinical work based on psychoanalysis. The programme is academically challenging and strategically relevant in psychotherapy theory and practice and will equip learners with knowledge of current and emerging issues that inform or apply to the psychotherapy field. The course is designed to produce graduates capable of making a difference in the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Learning on the programme takes place in a number of clinical settings such as adult psychiatric units, child and adolescent mental health clinics, learning disability clinics, a maternity hospital, an agency supporting those suffering psychosis. Learning (on the programme) also takes place in a number of clinical, educational and social care settings such as primary schools, projects for primary school children and a project attached to a probation office. The Psychiatric Case Conference and Seminar takes place in the Department of Psychiatry and the School of Psychotherapy in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. The group supervision, theoretical and research skills components of the course take place in DBS. The MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy programme is designed in such a way so as to ensure that there is a seamless connection between theory and practice; academic learning in classroom-based modules informs, and is informed by, the clinical components of the programme, namely the psychiatric case conference, the placement experiences and the infant observation exercise. This seamless connection between theory and practice can be achieved because staffing requirements insist that all lecturers on the programme are practitioner-teachers, are accredited practitioner members of professional bodies and are analyst members of Schools of psychoanalysis. Central to all of this, in terms of preparing learners to become competent practitioners in the field of psychoanalysis, is engagement with one’s personal psychoanalysis, minimally, for the duration of the programme.

Duration Description

NFQ Level(s)

9

EQF Level(s)

7

Location

Dublin City

Delivery Modes

PEL Applies

Yes

PEL Arrangements

Insurance Product

What is PEL?

Details

Validation Documents

Certificate of Validation, Panel Report