Master in Contemporary Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

As human beings, we all need to feel accompanied and understood, especially in those moments and life situations of greatest suffering. This support can be carried out by anyone close to them, but when the suffering is more intense, when it becomes chronic, or when a mental disorder develops, it is when it is indicated to be able to be attended by a mental health professional specializing in psychotherapy. This implies a theoretical and technical perspective of psychotherapy, which does not have to be at odds with the sensitivity, proximity and art of the clinician .

In this master's degree in Contemporary Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy , rigorous training is offered in the psychoanalytic psychotherapy model, but from an updated perspective. Empirical evidence supports the efficacy of psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapy. Different studies show that the effect sizes of this psychotherapeutic intervention model are as large as those reported for other theoretical models of psychotherapy, which tend to be more actively promoted as “empirically supported” and “evidence-based” (Shedler, 2010).

This master's degree in Contemporary Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy offers students the development of technical skills and abilities, which will allow them to carry out psychotherapeutic processes that rigorously and in-depth address the emotional and interpersonal difficulties of the people served.

We start from the basic characteristics of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, which differentiate it from other psychotherapy models:

• With a focus on the identification, modulation and expression of emotions.
• A detailed assessment, understanding and approach of the predominant defense mechanisms to manage unpleasant cognitions and emotions.
• A systematic identification of recurring themes and patterns, in thoughts, feelings, relationship styles or ideas about oneself.
• An evolutionary or developmental perspective, which favors the understanding of past experiences and the role they play in the way of living in the present and approaching the future.
• A focus on interpersonal relationships, on the strengths and vulnerabilities of the people served at an interpersonal level.
• A focus on the relationship with the professional who attends, with whom relationship patterns or aspects of the internal world are usually reproduced.
• A thorough exploration of thoughts, fantasies, desires and everything that the person has in mind.

Empirical evidence has repeatedly shown the benefits of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Properly carried out by competent professionals, its effects are long-lasting and its impact goes beyond the remission of symptoms. For this reason, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, in its various modalities and adaptations, is present in private mental health clinics and centers, as well as in public or subsidized mental health institutions. This reality implies the challenge of constantly updating the training of the professionals who practice it, with contributions and innovations that allow maintaining the maximum level of effectiveness in the interventions.

In this sense, in addition to the subjects dedicated to the theory and technique of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, we have incorporated several subjects on the valuable contributions of the mentalization-based treatment (MBT) model, developed mainly by Peter Fonagy and Anthony Bateman, together with a wide group of professionals. MBT has also demonstrated its effectiveness at an empirical level (Bateman & Fonagy, 2008, 2009; Rossouw & Fonagy, 2012). The MBT model is very useful for working with different groups of patients in different age groups, as well as extremely useful for professionals who work in the field of the public mental health network, who have to resort to more intervention models. focal and short

We have also included subjects on research and neurosciences applied to psychotherapy, as well as subjects on psychopathology from a relational and developmental perspective, and on group psychotherapy.

In this master's degree we have a team of professors with extensive and recognized experience in the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and treatment based on mentalization. As can be seen in the documentation of the master's degree, these are professionals of recognized international prestige, who have combined clinical work for many years, the development of intervention models focused on the needs of the people served, as well as research work. and teaching that stimulate a constant review and update of treatment models.

• Assistance, teaching and research. Faculty in this specialization program have experience in public assistance, as well as university teaching and research.
• Supervised practices. The supervisors accompany the student throughout the clinical practice process with patients.
• Professionalization. The new professional acquires the basic tools to work effectively, both privately and publicly.
• University and International Recognition. Own Master's degree from the Ramón Llull University of Barcelona. Training of psychotherapists that meets the requirements established by recognized organizations such as the Spanish Federation of Associations of Psychotherapists (FEAP) and the European Federation of Psychologists Associations (EFPA)

Format

The master's degree can be completed in its entirety both face-to-face and online. All classes will be broadcast live by videoconference and students will be able to participate in class discussions through this modality. The face-to-face classes will be held at the headquarters of the Vidal i Barraquer Mental Health University Institute.

Psychotherapies: A minimum of four psychotherapies must be carried out, with a periodicity of one and/or two sessions a week, until a total of 300 sessions are counted. These treatments will be carried out in a facility for adults or children and adolescents.

Supervisions: It is necessary to carry out a minimum of 120 supervisions distributed as follows: 80 individual supervisions and 40 in groups.

We are an institution created in 1964 and dedicated to the field of Health and specifically to Mental Health. We integrate assistance, teaching and research in mental health, with a psychological, social, biological and spiritual perspective.

University Institute of Mental Health

The Vidal i Barraquer Mental Health Institute is part of the Ramon Llull University. It has two main branches of activity: teaching and research . The ultimate goal, therefore, is also twofold: to create and disseminate knowledge in the field of mental health.

Among the different areas of study of the center, it is worth highlighting the area of psychology and spirituality, developed as a space for research, teaching and reflection on the links between spirituality and psychology.

Course 2022-23

Postgraduate programs (master's, specialization and experience) are intended to offer advanced training to achieve an academic and/or professional specialization. In accordance with this purpose and with the specific needs of training professionals in the field of mental health, our programs articulate professionalization and research, both in public and private care settings. This fact is reflected in the theoretical and technical content, in the experience of the teachers and tutors, as well as in the internship program through the collaborating centers.

Currently, all training programs are adapted to the European Higher Education Area, where assessment is continuous and the course load is calculated in ECTS credits ( European Credit Transfer System ). One credit is equivalent to 25 hours of work and the hours of class attendance, preparation of work, study, practices, evaluation tests and tutoring with teachers are counted.