Foundation Course
Introduction to AGIP Foundation Course
The course aims to develop understanding of psychoanalytic thinking and practice. The Foundation course will be taught over ten Saturdays, one a month, starting in October 2024.
Our training courses are competitively priced, and a bursary scheme is available to students, including a dedicated bursary for students from Black and minority ethnic groups. The training courses are designed to thoroughly prepare individuals for the reality of being a practicing therapist in private practice and the statutory and voluntary sectors.
The training is rigorous, challenging, and rewarding. It can also be an emotionally difficult process, and we pride ourselves upon the extensive support we offer our trainees.
COURSE AIMS
The course has four distinct aims . . .
To stand as a course in its own right for professionals who want to use it for CPD purposes or for a better understanding of society, families and individuals.
For example –
- Mental health workers
- Doctors and nurses
- Social workers
- Counsellors and therapists whose initial training was not psychodynamic
- Practitioner psychologists
- Drug and alcohol professionals
- Probation officers.
To give students who are considering a clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy a disciplined and critical taster of what it might be like.
The course as a taster.
We recognise that committing to a four-year clinical training is demanding in terms of: time, money and emotional effort. Taking the Foundation Year provides an opportunity to sample this before embarking on the final three years.
Also, training in psychoanalysis is not for everyone and this is a chance to find out.
To act as the first year of a formal training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy for those who are certain they wish to apply to train as a psychotherapist.
The full four year course (Foundation Year + 3 year clinical training) lead to UKCP Registration.
For those who have a general, cultural or artistic interest in the importance of the unconscious, to explore how it might relate to their work.
AGIP has a longstanding relationship with the arts. AGIP members include artists, photographers and musicians alongside members who have interests in theatre, film and cultural criticism.
COURSE DELIVERY
- 1-year seminar course
- The course is delivered on ten Saturdays across the year
- 10am to 6.30pm each Saturday
- The day consists of four theoretical/clinical seminars and an experiential group
- Normally there are two seminar leaders per Saturday
- The experiential group leader remains the same throughout the year.
INDICATIVE WEEKEND TOPICS
APPLICATION DETAILS
- Application fee: £***
- Closing date for applications: 30th June 2025
- You must be able to demonstrate evidence of working with people in a helping capacity
- You must have a degree or equivalent (but exceptions can be made).
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Complete an application form
- Write a personal statement
- Provide two references
- One interview.
- Must normally be 25 years of age, but exceptions can be made.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 80% attendance
- 3 tutorials during the year with your personal tutor
- Personal therapy (once a week for a year) with an AGIP approved therapist
- One optional written assignment of 3,000 words (compulsory for candidates continuing on to the clinical training)
- Course fee – set annually.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
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Access to the AGIP library
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Access to PEP (Psychoanalytic Electronic Publishing)
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Personal tutor
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Peer group.
How to Apply for an AGIP Course
If you wish to apply for a place on the Foundation course, click the button below for more details on how to apply.
If you more questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to common queries.
