Training FAQs
Who can apply for the four year psychotherapy training?
Anyone who is able work to Master’s level in terms of writing skills and has a curiosity about the psyche. We also look for personal qualities such as the ability to maintain composure under pressure, good reflective capacity and psychological flexibility.
What are the personal psychotherapy requirements for the four year training?
We ask applicants to have had one year of twice weekly psychotherapy or the equivalent prior to application and to maintain twice weekly psychotherapy with an approved psychotherapist for the duration of training.
Can I apply without a clinical background?
Yes, however we would ideally like to see some engagement with clinical work such as a listening placement prior to application. We can advise on suitable voluntary work.
How much psychoanalytic theory do I need to have studied before I apply?
It is very beneficial to have some prior familiarity with Freud and other psychoanalytic writings or a previous engagement with Philosophy and critical theory. We recommend the Guild’s Introductory Course and the Why Freud? short course if you do not have prior study in the field.
Do I need to have attended the Guild’s Introductory courses before applying?
We strongly recommend you attend the Freud Introduction and the Introduction to Psychoanalytic Concepts. Doing so will support your application, and give you an experience of what it might be like to train with the Guild. However it is not a requirement as you may have studied these subjects elsewhere.
Can I do the training whilst holding down a full-time employment?
The training is quite demanding and the demands increase as the training goes on, however there are some people who manage to train whilst in full-time employment. Other trainees will try to reduce their hours of employment to allow time for the training requirements.
How much writing is there during the training?
There is one written essay per year to be marked and a final clinical essay when you are ready to qualify. There are two short unmarked essays and you will be expected to keep written process notes of clinical work for your supervision and provide your tutor with regular clinical reports.
Am I required to work in the Guild’s Clinic?
Yes. We ask trainees to work in our community clinic for a minimum of 1-2 years. Normally trainees choose to work there longer as it gives valuable experience.
What are the Clinic supervision requirements?
Trainees will be given a place in a group supervision and expected to attend weekly. This supervision is provided without charge.
What are the other clinical and supervisory requirements?
Trainees will need to have a variety of clinical experiences and work intensively with at least 2 private supervisors in addition to having a supervisor for their private practice.
How soon after starting the training will I commence clinical work?
We place great emphasis on clinical work and encourage clinical work as soon as you are ready. Your personal tutor will help you to decide when you are ready. You do need to be doing clinical work by the second year however, so for this reason it is important you find as much relevant experience prior to application as possible.
Am I required to undertake a psychiatric placement?
There is a requirement for a half day weekly placement in a psychiatric setting for 6 months. This is sometimes waived if you have significant psychiatric experience already.
Do you have an experiential group?
The Guild require attendance at a brief introduction to groups on two consecutive Saturday mornings in the first year of training. There is an experiential group in each morning.
Otherwise we have what we call ‘tutor groups’ at the end of each term. These are similar to an experiential group in that the group leads the discussion, however we ask these group discussions to focus on the learning process of trainees rather than being entirely open.
When is the training held?
The training is held on Wednesday evening between 6:30pm and 9:15pm from the beginning of October to the beginning of July in three terms of eleven weeks each, including the reading week in June.
Where is the training held?
The taught seminars take place in our building in Nelson Square and the community clinic is also run from Nelson Square.
How much does the training cost?
The fees are £2850 exclusive of therapy and supervision costs. When calculating costs, remember to factor in costs of travel and room hire (consulting rooms are available at the Guild at a reduced cost for trainees). In the later stages of training you will be gaining some income from your private practice to offset your costs.
How long does it take to qualify?
The minimum time to qualify would be 4 years and the maximum time would be 10 years. In practice, the average time is usually 5-7 years.
Which professional organisation can I belong to when I complete the training?
As the training is linked to the UKCP, you would be granted membership of UKCP on qualification with the Guild should you wish it, however you can choose to apply to other organisations such as the BPC or The College of Psychoanalysts instead or alongside UKCP membership.