Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (DPP)

September 2025 – December 2026

Wednesdays – 9am-5pm

In support of Diploma Course Graduates who wish to build on their Psychodynamic Counselling qualification, the MHCPC is offering a four term intensive training which leads to the award of a Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Successful completion of this advanced Course will enable participants to be listed as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist on the BPC register.

The Course may be undertaken immediately following successful completion of a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling.

This intensive course of study at an advanced level is comprised of a minimum of 3 academic terms, plus a minimum 30 infant observation hours over a minimum 4 terms. Trainees may be offered a 4^th term in group supervision in order to reach the required level of readiness for the award of the Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

A minimum 80% attendance is required for each area of the Course.

The Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is the equivalent of a Level 7 training as stated in the SCoPEd Framework.

Term Dates

Fees

Course Staff

The Course includes:

• Group and Individual Clinical Supervision
• Clinical Seminars
• Theoretical Seminars
• Infant Observation
• Personal Psychotherapy

Group and Individual Clinical Supervision

Clinical Seminars

Clinical Seminars will focus on theoretical perspectives in relation to material presented from each student’s clinical practice. Trainees will take it in turns to present some detailed clinical material. Through this presentation students are exposed to the work of colleagues and are enabled to study a range of clinical issues including working with the transference and counter-transference.

The clinical seminar provides the opportunity for concepts developed in the theory seminar to be recognized and identified in the clinical context. It complements the individual supervision by providing another perspective or ‘third position’. Trainees will be required to engage with and explore issues of diversity, race and culture, as manifested in the consulting room.

The Clinical Seminar is a rolling group. Trainees are required to attend for a minimum of 30 weeks (3 terms) and will remain in the Clinical Seminar until all Course requirements have been met.

Theoretical Seminars

Theoretical seminars offer students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of working with the unconscious, providing a rich foundation for psychodynamic psychotherapy practice. Seminars will explore key areas including developmental psychology, clinical assessment, and acute and psychiatric presentations, while fostering critical engagement with both foundational and contemporary theories shaping psychodynamic psychotherapy. Visiting lecturers will expand on core themes, addressing topics such as the role of language in psychoanalysis, the body in psychopathology, and psychoanalytic perspectives on suicide.

Infant Observation

Trainees will undertake an Infant Observation linked to weekly seminars over a minimum of 30 weeks. The Infant Observation  is a rolling group with students leaving after having accrued a minimum of 30 observation hours. The first term will focus on supporting the trainee to secure an observation. At the end of the academic year, the Tutor will write a report on the trainee’s presentations of the observations. The Infant Observation is centred around honing observation skills and being witness to the infant’s development of the mind, and the mother-baby relationship. A baby must be newborn and observed from within the first 6 weeks of life. All students will be required to have a DBS check which will be arranged via the Course Administrator.

Rolling Groups

Infant Observation and Group Supervision are rolling groups to allow for a fourth term to accrue sufficient clinical hours and writing a final clinical paper. Rolling groups will also accommodate any students deemed not yet ready to meet the course requirements for qualification.

Meetings with Personal Tutors

Trainees will meet once each term with their Personal Tutor. These meetings are not part of the ongoing assessment process. The Personal Tutor may also provide academic guidance prior to a Trainee submitting their final clinical paper.

Submission of a Final Clinical Paper

The trainee will choose which patient to write about in discussion with their supervisor. The clinical paper should be submitted within the fourth term and on completion of meeting the minimum Course requirements. Trainees are expected to attend the rolling Infant Group, Group Supervision and their Individual Supervision until all criteria have been met and qualification has been approved.

Final Clinical papers will be read by a panel of readers.

Personal Psychotherapy

All trainees are required to be in a minimum of twice weekly personal psychotherapy with an experienced BPC registered or equivalent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist.

Qualifying Process

The Training Committee take the final decision to qualify the trainee. The decision is based on the trainee having successfully completed all sections of the training and the award of a Pass grade for the Clinical paper and Infant Observation paper. The Training Committee considers all Readers reports in deciding if the trainee is at the appropriate level to qualify and to work independently as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. Qualified Psychodynamic Psychotherapists are eligible to be registered with the BPC.

Assessment

• A minimum 80% attendance is required for each area of the Course.
• Patients will be reviewed by the trainee’s supervisor to assess their suitability as DPP training patients. Both the group and individual supervisor will be asked to provide one mid-year and one end of year report.
• The student must hold at least two patients for a minimum of one calendar year each. Once sufficient time has been accrued, in agreement with the Group Supervisor, the student will write a 10,000 word final clinical paper.
• The student must submit a 3,500 word final report on the Infant Observation once the minimum required observation hours have been met, or within the fourth term.
• The Group Supervisor will write a mid-year and end of year report.
• The Individual Supervisor will complete a mid-year and end of year form.
• Final Clinical papers will be read anonymously by a panel of readers.  The Infant Observation paper will be read by the Course Tutor who will recommend a Pass/Fail grade. Students who do not achieve a pass grade will have an opportunity to resubmit a paper.
• Readers will provide a written report which includes a recommendation for a Pass/Fail grade. All grades will be ratified by the MHCPC External Examiner. Students who fail to achieve the required level of competence and therefore deemed not ready for the award of the DPP may be provided with the option to defer.
• Deferred students will be required to continue to attend Group Supervision and discuss a new submission date for their re-written Clinical Paper with their Personal Tutor.
• Additional time may be allowed for no more than 2 submissions of a re-written final paper.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to provide:

• Evidence of successful completion of the MHCPC Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling or equivalent.
• Evidence of a minimum three-year personal therapy with an experienced BPC registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Confirmation that a minimum twice-weekly therapy is ongoing with an approved therapist will be requested. An offer of a place may be dependent on the applicant increasing the number of their weekly personal therapy sessions.
• Evidence of current Professional Indemnity Insurance.
• Completion of an application form prior to interview.
• Evidence of ongoing established psychodynamic clinical work.
• Evidence of appropriate psychodynamic/analytic supervision to support clinical work with a BPC registered supervisor.

Cost
£8,000

The Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Course fees are structured to cover four academic terms, providing sufficient time for trainees to fulfill all Course requirements. Should a trainee be unable to meet the required academic and/or clinical criteria within this period, they will be responsible for additional fees for each subsequent term until deemed ready to be considered for the award of the Diploma.

Application Process
Application forms to be sent to admin@mhcpc.org.uk

Interview Fee: £50

Please note that places on this Course are limited and applications should be received ASAP to avoid disappointment.

For further information please contact:
admin@mhcpc.org.uk
020 8371 0180