INSIGHT

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INSIGHT

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    • Home
    • Registrar Program
      • About the Program
      • Program structure
      • Examples of Contract
      • Supervision
    • Training Program
    • Faculty
    • Contact Us

  • Home
  • Registrar Program
    • About the Program
    • Program structure
    • Examples of Contract
    • Supervision
  • Training Program
  • Faculty
  • Contact Us

The theory and practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy program

Register now

TRAINING designed for practitioners

The Theory and Practice of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program offers a one-year course specifically designed for psychologists and other mental health practitioners who possess foundational experience in therapeutic practice. 


For practitioners wishing to deepen their understanding of contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy, this program offers a systematic introduction to the theory and practice of psychodynamic-informed therapeutic practice, including the philosophical foundations of a psychodynamic sensibility. 


Cost on application

Early bird fees apply

progressive learning through foundational knowledge, clinical skills, specific issues, and advanced topics in contemporary psychodynamic work.

Course objectives

  1. Introduce key philosophical foundations to modern psychodynamic theory and techniques.
  2. Develop clinical skills in relational-psychodynamic therapy.
  3. Enhance psychodynamic assessment and case formulation abilities.
  4. Improve recognition and management of unconscious processes in therapy.
  5. Apply psychodynamic principles to diverse clinical presentations.
  6. Increase self-awareness and understanding of personal reactions to clients through case discussions.
  7. Address ethical and professional development in relationally-informed psychodynamic practice.

Course structure

Term duration

  • One-year programme
  • 4 terms 
  • 8 weekly meetings per term
  • Tuesday, 5.30pm to 7.30pm (dates and times to be confirmed).
  • Next intake January 2025.

Session structure

Sessions will incorporate theory, case presentations, and interactive discussions. We recognise the value of collaborative learning and the significance of sharing diverse perspectives and experiences. Each session will be divided between case discussion (group supervision) and theory. Generally, we will aim to integrate theory with case presentations. 


Online and in-person options available. 

Additional supervision

Additional 6 supervision sessions offered to psychologists to cover annual AHPRA PD requirements. 


Additional costs apply


Expert mentoring

Professional Development

Supportive community

Through group case presentations, benefit from guidance in psychodynamic psychotherapy from experienced professionals focussed upon enhancing knowledge and self-reflexivity. 

Supportive community

Professional Development

Supportive community

 Connect with a network of practitioners who share your perspectives and values, creating a sense of community. 

Professional Development

Professional Development

Professional Development

 Fulfil the continuing education requirements of your professional body through a structured study of evidence-based practices. 

Practical Skills

Practical Skills

Professional Development

 Acquire therapeutic skills that you can apply directly to a variety of clinical situations. 

Personal Growth

Practical Skills

Personal Growth

Engage in a relational stance with its emphasis upon self-reflection as a way of deepening your understanding of your counter transference and enhancing your therapeutic relationships.

content outline

Introduction

  • The historical and philosophical context of psychoanalysis ME
  • An introduction to Freud and the unconscious
  • Object relations theory


A Relational Perspective

  • Self psychology: A Relational Understanding 
  • Groundwork provided by Bion’s theory of thinking
  • Field theory and the work of Ferro
  • Thomas Ogden and the analytic third
  • Lacanian psychoanalysis- a relational perspective


Term dates: 6th February to 26th March 2025 (to be confirmed)


  • Introduction to the practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy
  • Therapeutic intent (Barsness)
  • Psychodynamic assessment and formulation
  • Therapeutic techniques
  • The therapeutic frame and relationship
  • Working with resistance and defences
  • Transference and countertransference
  • Dreams, fantasies and the unconscious


Term dates: 23rd April to 11th June 2025 (to be confirmed)


  • The hierarchy of psychotherapies
  • Short-term dynamic psychotherapy models and therapeutic intent
  • Core Conflictual Relationship Theme (CCRT) methodology
  • The assessment process: capturing relationship episodes 
  • The socialisation interview
  • Identifying and working through relational patterns
  • Identifying and working through the response of other
  • Working with terminations Integrating psychodynamic principles with other modalities


Term dates: 16th July to 3rd September 2025 (to be confirmed)


  •  What are the aims of psychotherapy
  • Psychodynamic approaches to depression and anxiety
  • Working with personality vulnerabilities and disorders
  • Psychodynamic perspectives on psychosis
  • Working with traum
  • Existential issues in psychotherapy: introduction to Daseinsanalysis, Existential Therapies and Heidegger
  • Integration – Finding one’s own voice as an integrative psychodynamic-informed therapist


Term dates: 1st October to 19th November 2025 (to be confirmed)


program facilitators

Robert Schweitzer - Course Convener

Robert Schweitzer - Course Convener

Robert Schweitzer - Course Convener

 Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Queensland University of Technology, where he established the postgraduate program in clinical psychology with a strong psychodynamic focus. He maintains an active psychodynamic psychotherapy practice and supervises registrars. Robert has previously chaired the Queensland Psychology Board of Australia and published extensively in the areas of psychotherapy research, including transcultural psychology, and treatment trials with serious mental illness. His current practice focusses upon clinical supervision and long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. 


Email:

 robertdschweitzer@gmail.com

Dr. Rebecca Bargenquast

Robert Schweitzer - Course Convener

Robert Schweitzer - Course Convener

Rebecca is a clinical psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist who runs a private practice in Brisbane. As part of her practice she offers psychological assessment and treatment for people experiencing a range of emotional and relational difficulties. She also provides clinical supervision to psychologists and other health professionals. Rebecca has a special interest in long-term, in-depth psychotherapy, the treatment of complex mental health difficulties, and therapy for perinatal mental health issues and parent-infant attachment issues.


Email: drrebeccabargenquast@gmail.com 

Dr Michael Edwards

Dr Michael Edwards

Dr Michael Edwards

Michael is a practising senior consultant psychiatrist. He has three decades of experience in all aspects of clinical psychiatry. His PhD and subsequent work have focused on theoretical aspects of psychoanalysis and Continental Philosophy, and the dialogue between them. His contribution to the course aims to deepen clinician self-reflective capacity through a study of the often unacknowledged epistemological and ontological foundations of psychodynamic practice, as well as inviting us to “critique” our privileged positions as therapists. His current clinical work focuses on acute mental health problems and substance use issues. He is an accredited supervisor in basic and advanced psychotherapy training for psychiatry registrars. Michael will provide guest seminars.

Aaron Neaves

Dr Michael Edwards

Dr Michael Edwards

  Aaron is a Clinical Psychologist and the Director of May Health, a private mental health company in South Australia. He chairs the South Australian section of the Psychoanalytically Oriented Psychologists Interest Group of the Australian Psychological Society. Aaron's practice is dedicated to psychodynamic psychotherapy, addressing a variety of conditions. He studies and supervises in the field, emphasising a collaborative learning atmosphere. As a co-host of 'Clinically Thinking', Aaron discusses broad topics in clinical psychology. Through the INSIGHT program, he hopes to facilitate the learning of the theory and practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy with fellow professionals.


Email:

 aaron@mayhealth.com.au

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