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Clinical Training
The Irish Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy provides a professional training course in psychoanalytic psychotherapy for individuals from a multitude of backgrounds who wish to become clinically-trained and accredited psychoanalytic psychotherapists.
Overview of the Training Course
In conjunction with Trinity College Dublin, the IIPP runs a four-year training programme. The first two years consist of a Master of Science (MSc) in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy course in the School of Medicine in Trinity College. The second two years consist of clinical seminars and training in clinical practice, run directly by the IIPP and leading to a Clinical Diploma.
Years One and Two
The part-time Masters (MSc. in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy) course in Trinity College comprises the first two years of the four-year training. The MSc. combines academic and theoretical components with experiential learning. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of key developments in psychoanalytic history and theory as well as a firm grasp of the theoretical basis of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and its application to psychotherapeutic clinical practice. Students will be introduced to the work of Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion and Donald Winnicott, as well as key thinkers from the later twentieth century right up to the pioneering theorists of the present day.
This firm theoretical grounding runs alongside the experiential components of the course, namely an infant observation and personal therapy.
Years Three and Four
The second half of the programme, years three and four, takes place in the Irish Institute of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and is dedicated to clinical training while continuing the deepening of theoretical understanding. The course content builds on the academic and personal development work begun in the first two years, with a shift of emphasis to preparing for and beginning clinical practice. This part of the training prepares trainees to become accredited psychoanalytic psychotherapists working with adults.
Trainees typically begin to see their first training clients in Year Three, and to engage in professional supervision alongside continued personal therapy. The teaching focus at this time is on clinical concepts, case formulation, and clinical technique. Year Four continues the clinical training with a focus on deepening clinical understanding and skills.
Join Our Psychoanalytic Training
The next training intake is potentially in 2027. Please check the Trinity College Dublin website for updates, where the course will be advertised. To learn more or to apply, click below.
