IGA Qualifying Course in Group Analysis

Introduction

The Institute of Group Analysis (IGA), founded by Dr S H Foulkes and colleagues in 1971, offers training in group analytic psychotherapy. The Manchester Course is designed on a weekend block basis and may be of particular interest to professionals living and working outside London who may wish to train as Group Analysts. Cheap flights and the block nature of the training make Manchester an option for those near a connecting airport anywhere in the UK. Transport links by road and rail are excellent. This training leads to membership of the IGA and inclusion in the UKCP Register of Psychotherapists, as well as to a top-up MSc Degree. (optional)

Recruitment & Selection

Admission Requirements

Medical and non-medical candidates with a University Degree or equivalent professional qualification and experience in the field may apply. Some academic requirements may be waived for applicants with exceptional experience. Applicants are required to have completed one of the General Courses approved by the IGA prior to training. Applicants will be expected to have been in analytically-orientated psychotherapy (group or individual) prior to application.

Entry Date & Application Process

Fill in the form at the bottom of this page. Our GAN administrator will then send you an Application Form. Entry date for application is in September each year. Applications must be received by 31st January prior to this. Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the IGA. Applicants must submit an application form which includes a personal statement as to why they wish to undertake the training. There is a one-off selection fee to be paid upon submission of the application. (This is non-refundable and is paid to The Institute of Group Analysis (IGA)(London)). Once a written application has been received, the admission process consists of an interview with a Psychiatric Consultant and an interview with an Interview Panel (to whom the Consultant’s report is submitted), experience prior to, or concurrent with the training.

Experience Requirements

Psychiatric Experience: The Course Committee must be satisfied that students have had adequate experience of working with psychiatric patients before they can qualify. This experience is normally obtained prior to the Course. The IGA may be able to help students requiring such experience to find placements in general psychiatric settings.

Experience in Individual Psychotherapy: Students may have insufficient experience working with patients in individual psychotherapy. The Course Committee may recommend students gain such experience under supervision during the training.

Outline of the Training

Personal Group Analysis: All students undertake personal group analysis (minimum 400 hours) during the 10 weekend block sessions, extending over a minimum of 4 years.


The length of analysis is not fixed and continues until the Course Committee is satisfied that the student has fulfilled the Course requirements.

Syllabus

Group Requirement during course

Conducting Groups Under Supervision - Students must conduct a once-weekly group for a minimum of 2 years; conduct a group for one year or short-term groups for an equivalent period. Arrangements for groups, which normally begin after the start of the training must be approved by the IGA. Students attend supervision seminars during the weekend blocks and through telephone conference. Supervision continues as long as is required. Groups may be set up at the student’s own work-place or elsewhere.

Theoretical Seminars

The academic part of the course takes place during the weekend blocks, and on some preceding Fridays. The syllabus covers theory, development and practice of Group Analytic Psychotherapy. It includes a firm foundation in Psychoanalytical Concepts, Developmental Perspectives and Social Psychology as related to group work.

During the course, the student will write an essay and a theory paper exploring and discussing in depth subjects related to group analysis. The papers are presented at the midpoint of the academic programme and should be 5000 to 10000 words in length and should be presented before completing the block training, usually in the fourth year.

The Clinical Paper

An approved theme, from the student’s clinical experience is developed with the aid of material recorded during the training period. The paper should be 5,000 – 10,000 words and should be presented in the fourth year of training before completing the course. A student cannot qualify for IGA membership until this paper is presented and accepted.

MSc. Degree

Students may undertake a top-up MSc. with Manchester Metropolitan University by completing a dissertation. Study for this can begin after the ending of the academic requirements of the clinical training.

The training is under continuous review and is liable to change at the discretion of the IGA. It is important to recognise that the nature of Group Analytic Psychotherapy is long term and that the duration of the training cannot be shortened.

“Anyone considering a career as a group psychotherapist or who is interested in group dynamics, would do well to consider this four-year block weekend course run by Group Analysis North in Manchester.

Weekends (10 per year) are gruelling, as seminars, personal therapy supervision and large group experience are all packed in to the Friday evening to Sunday afternoon timetable. As a student once again, late in my career, I am impressed with the care and thought that has gone in to the organisation of the course and that continues to be applied to every aspect of it. The staff are nothing less than devoted and you feel in very safe hands. Student’s comments are always attended to seriously and there is no shirking of giving difficult feedback when necessary and extra support is always offered to students in need.

The aim is to turn out thoughtful, sensitive group analysts with a wide grasp of different theoretical viewpoints and an ability to use these as well as their personal experience of therapy, in practice; I cannot imagine a course better organised to do just this.”

Sophia Hartland
Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy,
Chichester


Please fill in this form if you would like us to send you an application form.