Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy University College Dublin

Overview

The Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy programme at University College Dublin provides a comprehensive professional training for those seeking to qualify as practitioners in this therapeutic modality. This four-year course is designed to integrate deep theoretical study with intensive clinical experience and personal development. Students are required to engage in their own psychoanalysis throughout the duration of the programme to establish a foundation for their future practice.

The curriculum is heavily influenced by the teachings of Sigmund Freud and the subsequent elaborations of Jacques Lacan. By combining academic seminars with practical clinical work, the programme ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet the professional standards required for membership in national psychotherapy bodies.

Why Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at University College Dublin?

This programme offers a unique teaching forum through weekly psychiatric case conferences at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. This allows students to observe and participate in high-level discussions that bring together psychoanalytic and psychiatric perspectives on mental illness. The university provides both small group and individual clinical supervision, ensuring that every student receives personalised guidance as they begin their practice.

Furthermore, the training is designed to meet the specific requirements of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. Successful completion of the four-year cycle allows graduates to apply for membership with professional organisations such as the Association for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland and the Irish Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: EUR 13500 per year
• European fee: EUR 7890 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured across four years, with the first two years offering an exit award option. Modules may include:

• Supervision of Clinical Practice
• Clinical Diagnostics and Research
• Psychoanalysis in Context
• The Symptom and the Dream
• Human Sexuality and Sexuation
• Transference and the Interpretation of Desire
• Psychoanalysis and Language
• Child Psychoanalysis
• Ethics, Research Methods and Clinical Applications

Careers with Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Graduates of this programme typically progress into professional practice as psychoanalytic psychotherapists. The training is highly relevant for established mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurses, who wish to specialise in this modality. Many graduates work within private practice, clinical settings, or healthcare organisations, providing specialised therapeutic support to adults.