The VAPP offers a psychoanalytic psychotherapy training program for suitably qualified professionals with appropriate clinical experience. The training includes concurrent attendance at seminars, personal therapy or analysis and supervised clinical work for a minimum of four years. Intakes usually occur every two years. The next Training Program will commence in July 2027, and applications have now closed for this intake. Enquiries about the Training Program can be made at any time to [email protected].
For comprehensive detail on the Training Program; the underpinnings, aims and objectives, the structure of the Program, professional prerequisites, cost, and method and process of application, please refer to the Prospectus: VAPP Training Prospectus.
Components of the Training Program
1. Personal Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Prospective candidates should have had at least 12 months of psychoanalytic psychotherapy prior to the commencement of the training program, with a therapist who has been approved by the Training Committee. This must be individual psychotherapy or psychoanalysis conducted at least twice weekly. An approved therapist for training purposes is one with at least five years’ membership of the VAPP, PPAA or the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA). Personal therapy must last until completion of the training, which means the acceptance of the case paper.
2. Supervision and Clinical Work
VAPP candidates are expected to work with a number of patients throughout their training. At least two patients need to be in intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy twice a week during the training program, and the candidate is required to undertake weekly supervision from a VAPP-approved supervisor for each patient. An approved supervisor is one with at least five years’ membership of the VAPP, PPAA, or the IPA. One patient needs to be seen in therapy for at least two years, and the other for at least one year. Once accepted, it is a requirement that candidates have weekly supervision with an approved supervisor.
A list of current VAPP supervisors available for supervision under the Training Program can be found here: VAPP Supervisors.
3. Seminar Program
Seminars are conducted twice weekly late Thursday afternoon and evenings for the first four years of the training and then less frequently until completion of all the components of the program.
Seminars cover the following three broad categories:
3.1 Theoretical Seminars
These seminars provide an extensive theoretical basis to the practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. They include an understanding of the central concepts of psychoanalytic theory and their application to practice. Concurrent with these seminars are clinical seminars where candidates discuss their clinical practice as it applies to theory.
3.2 Clinical Seminars
Concurrent with theoretical seminars, the clinical seminars provide candidates with the opportunity to present their clinical work for group discussion under the guidance of a seminar leader. This is not a supervision group, but an opportunity to apply theoretical concepts and principles of clinical practice to their own work.
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Infant Observation
Infant observation is an integral part of psychoanalytic psychotherapy training. Candidates observe a baby for an hour each week over a 12-month period in their caregiving setting. They take turns presenting their detailed observations, deidentified, in weekly seminars, where they are able to explore early development in all its facets over time. The infant observation experience enhances the capacity to observe, which is central to psychoanalytic psychotherapy. A report is written after the conclusion of the infant observation seminars on a relevant theme chosen by the observer.
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Clinical Case Paper
Candidates are required to prepare a paper focussing on the supervised work with one patient seen during the training program. The paper needs to demonstrate the candidate’s development as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist.
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Ongoing Assessment
Throughout the training, regular monitoring of the candidate’s progress is undertaken.
Applying for the VAPP Training Program
It is important to discuss your situation with a Training Committee member before submitting an application. The Training Committee can be contacted at [email protected].
Professional Prerequisites for the Training Program include:
- A mental health professional qualification with at least 2 years of graduate clinical experience (or a professional from another clinical field who has achieved the necessary standards and has appropriate clinical experience)
- At least 12 months of a minimum of twice-weekly psychotherapy or analysis with an approved therapist prior to commencement of the Training Program
- Access to weekly psychoanalytic supervision with an approved supervisor by the commencement of the training program
- Access to some longer-term therapy patients.
The process of applying includes:
- A discussion with a Training Committee member
- Submitting application documents (see VAPP Training Program Prospectus)
- Completing two Intake Interviews with Training Committee and VAPP members, and referee checks