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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This Masters Degree is based
on the LCP 2-year taught Foundation Programme in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, followed by a supervised dissertation overseen by the University
of Essex.
The core studies, which take
place at the LCP, provide a solid foundation in psychoanalytic thinking and
processes, within both their contemporary and historical contexts, and with an
emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice as it has evolved from
its inception to the present day. The course stands on its own as both an
introduction to, and exploration of, psychoanalytic thinking, and also provides
a firm basis for progression to further studies in clinical practice such as
psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy or counselling, in continuing
academic research, or to support analytically-based critical thinking within
allied or related fields. It is taught primarily by current practitioners of
psychoanalytic psychotherapy and analytical psychology.
Students are
introduced to the range and development of models and theories of mind, from
Freud and his contemporaries and the various schools of thought and practice
that evolved from the end of the 19th century, and are encouraged to
take a critical approach to the ensuing debates and divergences of the 20th
century, through to those that continue to engage current practitioners and
thinkers within the field today.
The core
studies covered over the two years include, in Year 1 (Theoretical Models): Background and Contexts, Key
Concepts, Evolution of Theories, alongside a weekly Experiential Group; and in Year 2 (Clinical Applications):
Approaches to Practice, States of Mind (Psychopathology), Current Practice and
Debates (between psychoanalysis and competing practices).
The taught programme is
delivered through lectures, seminars and workshops, in six terms over two
years, followed by a third year devoted to completing a 12,000-word
dissertation that will enable the student, with the support of a personal
supervisor, to explore a chosen area of interest in greater depth. The course
is supplemented and enhanced by a full public programme of lectures by authors,
theoreticians and practitioners in the field which takes place, as does the
taught component of the course (minus the dissertation), at the London Centre
for Psychotherapy.
Successful completion of the
LCP Foundation Course (alongside personal interviews, and defined clinical
background or experience) will also fulfil an initial requirement for enrolment
onto the 3-year clinical Qualifying
Course.
Students in
either year can choose to enrol in the Infant
Observation module, both of
which may be taken as an additional educational component of psychoanalytic
theory and practice but is a requirement for those intending to apply for the
3-year Qualifying Course.
Pre-Requisites:
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree, or relevant equivalent.
They are expected to have a lively
interest in the subject, to show an ability to cope with the substantial
academic and intellectual demands of the programme including the capacity to
express themselves in written form, necessary to meet the essay and
dissertation requirements. The are also expected to have the emotional
maturity, consideration and responsibility required to participate in the
experiential programme of the first year.
Students are
expected to attend all seminars, undertake the required reading and prepare to
both contribute and participate in presentations within the group. Students are
informed of both the required and the recommended reading well in advance of
the programme that will for the
most part be available through the library, or online, via PEPWeb. Students are
also encouraged to attend the ongoing programme of public lectures and events.
Progress is monitored via self-assessment, and through teachers’ and tutor’s
termly reports.
MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Aims
·
To introduce the key concepts of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic
theories
·
To create an opportunity for a critical approach to both the
character and the evolution of psychoanalytic thinking
·
To provide a comprehension of the reciprocal relationship between
clinical practice and psychoanalytic theory
·
To promote the importance of understanding underlying motivation
(often unconscious), in both clinical and non-clinical settings (personally,
socially, organizationally, politically)
·
To contextualize the area of study culturally, both historically
and currently
·
To provide a platform for further study, in both theory and
practice, through an introduction to the specific research methodology relevant
to this field
Learning Outcomes
By the end
of the course, students will have:
·
grasped key and abiding concepts of psychoanalytic and
psychodynamic theories
·
developed a critical attitude, awareness and understanding of the
nature and the development of psychoanalytic thinking
·
an understanding of the intrinsic relationship between the
development of theory and its clinical application, and the impact of clinical
observation on the growth of theory
·
an understanding of the cultural and historical contexts that have
impacted upon psychoanalytic theory and its divergent practices
·
an awareness of the impact of unconscious processes on thought,
action and interaction
·
a capacity to build on this foundation for further work in both
theoretical research and clinical practice in the field
Course Structure
YEAR 1: INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL MODELS OF
PSYCHOANALYTIC THOUGHT
Module 1 Concepts and
Contexts
Module
2 Exploring Key Psychoanalytic Themes
Module 3 Contemporary
Theories
YEAR 2: CLINICAL APPLICATIONS:
Relating Theory and Practice
Module 4 Dynamic processes
of psychotherapy
Module 5 Disturbances
(Mental health and psychopathology)
Module 6 Analytic and
Therapeutic Attitudes (including
research methodology)
Module 7 Dissertation Psychoanalytic (12, 000 words)
Reading
The main reading(s) for each seminar
are set well in advance, and are essential for participation in seminars. They will for the most part be
available to students in the library or, from Year 2, online, through the
course via PEPWeb.
Each year produces the equivalent of
60 credits (20 Credits = approx 27 hours)
Each module
(credit-bearing unit) has an assessment element attached
NB: The assessable components for
each of the six modules (3 per year) will take the form of written essays,
presentations or a combination of the two, based on the seminar programme of
each year.
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