MISSION STATEMENT

The British Psychoanalytic Institute offers postdoctoral clinical training in the professional practice of psychoanalysis, pursuant to Business and Professions Code, Division 2. Healing Arts, Sections 2529 – 2529.5 and Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1367 – 1378.

NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION

The British Psychoanalytic Institute is a not-for-profit affiliation of scholars, tutors, lecturers, researchers and clinical practitioners in the broad field of psychoanalysis and is organized as a Swiss Verein pursuant to Swiss law. 

Participating scholars, tutors, lecturers, researchers and clinical practitioners – all termed “faculty” – are appointed by the Medical Director.  All faculty appointments are subject to review and approval by the Acting Dean.

RESEARCH  

Research has always been a central focus of the British Psychoanalytic Institute.  Presently, psychoanalytic research by faculty and staff is being conducted on four main topics of interest: theory & treatment of addiction disorders; interpretation of dreams; pathogenesis & treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders; and synaesthesia.

PRACTICUM

All postdoctoral fellows are required to conduct at least 750 hours of well-documented clinical sessions with their private patients, including at least 480 hours of supervised clinical sessions under the auspicious of an approved clinical supervisor.  The clinical supervision may be conducted either face-to-face or by means of teleconferencing.

There is no rule that prohibits postdoctoral fellows from gaining further professional experience; there is no upper limit to the number of contact-hours with their private patients.  There is no rule that limits or otherwise governs the fees collected from private patients or the fees paid to clinical supervisors.  Put simply, postdoctoral fellows may negotiate their fees in favor of their patients and in accordance with local custom.

Postdoctoral fellows may negotiate the terms and conditions of their clinical supervision with an approved practitioner who is appropriately licensed by local authorities.  For example, a postdoctoral fellow seeking to undertake the practicum in the State of California must make arrangements with a clinical supervisor who is registered as a Research Psychoanalyst in the State of California pursuant to Business and Professions Code, Division 2. Healing Arts, Sections 2529 – 2529.5 and Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1367 – 1378.

WORK-STUDY

As a general rule, postdoctoral fellows are self-employed as Student Research Psychoanalysts, subject to the provisions of local authorities.  For example, in the State of California, postdoctoral fellow enrolled in the 5-year residency are able to provide limited services to private patients provided they are registered as Student Research Psychoanalysts pursuant to Business and Professions Code, Division 2. Healing Arts, Sections 2529 – 2529.5 and Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Sections 1367 – 1378.  Limited self-employment makes it possible to pay tuition fees, purchase books, and earn a stipend to cover room and board whilst completing residency training.

ACREDITATION

The British Psychoanalytic Institute is not a degree-granting institution and hence not eligible for accreditation as an educational institution. 

Postdoctoral residency training is approved by the California Board of Psychology.  Authority to certify completion of the 5-year postdoctoral clinical training program is derived from custom over a number of years rather than specific governmental approval.