Foundations in Forensic Psychotherapy

Organised by:

Forensic Psychotherapy Society

Description

Introduction
This interactive part-time, evening course will foster a deeper understanding of forensic dynamics, both within individuals and the institutions that contain them. Thinking about offending behaviours from a psychoanalytic perspective will reveal the unconscious influences behind them and introduce psychotherapeutic ways of working with them. Limited to a small cohort, learners will develop their thinking together as a multi-disciplinary group over the course of a full academic year.

Aims and Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, learners will have gained a preliminary insight into the practice of forensic psychotherapy and an awareness of the psychodynamics in forensic and offender care settings. They will be able to consider the interface of personality development and offending and take account of social factors affecting those who may find themselves in conflict with the law.

Key Benefits of the Course
In addition to a structured programme of 30 lectures on a range of topics, where forensic psychotherapy can play an integral part in understanding and managing people with complex problems and behaviours, this course offers the following benefits:

The invaluable opportunity, in a facilitated reflective space, to discuss clinical material and real-world experiences
Student membership of FPS for 2 years, providing discounted access to future FPS events
Preparation for formal clinical training and BPC registration via the Forensic Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training
Learning from fellow students and the expertise of each seminar leader
The opportunity to build a valuable network of peer relationships
Certificate of attendance for 62.5 hours of CPD

Who is this Course for?
This is a foundation course suitable for a wide range of people working with forensic populations and are interested in understanding the causes and routes to offending behaviours:
psychologists and psychological therapists
medical healthcare professionals
prison and probation services
social workers and community care
youth offending services
addiction and substance misuse
legal and criminal justice professionals

For those working or training in forensic settings, this foundation course will provide a valuable opportunity to reflect upon and discuss cases and dynamics from your own workplace. Qualified psychotherapists may then apply to progress onto our BPC accredited full clinical training in Forensic Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

Course Structure
The course is structured over three academic terms, incorporating 30 weeks of learning and discussion. Sessions will take place online via Zoom from 7.00pm – 9.15pm on Thursdays. Each week will begin with an expert-led seminar to introduce the subject before moving into a hosted Work Reflection session where learners will be invited to bring examples from their own settings for discussion with the facilitators.

Course Facilitators
The seminar leaders are clinicians and academics who are well known in the field and who bring many years of knowledge and experience to share with the participants.

Course Content
Introduction to Forensic Psychotherapy
Developmental Perspectives, Trauma and Cycles of Abuse
Unconscious Processes in Forensic Practice
Difference and Intersectionality
Racial Trauma and Criminalization
Psychic Trauma and Violence
Social Class and Forensic Psychotherapy
Intellectual Disability and Perversion
Neurodiversity, Trauma and Offending Behaviour
Attachment Theory and Forensic Psychotherapy
Ethical Dilemmas in Forensic Psychotherapy
Controversial Clinical Diagnoses
Use of the Body in Self-Harm and Violence
Psychoanalytic Understanding of Sexual Abuse
Homicide and Suicide
Matricide and Maternal Violence
Forensic Art Psychotherapy
Reflective Practice in Forensic Settings

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