Graduate Certificate in Group Analytic Studies

Course Description

Group Analysis focuses on the relationship between the individual and the group, emphasising the essentially social nature of human experience.

As a therapeutic tool, Group Analysis aims to strengthen the relationship between the individual and the group to achieve a healthier integration of the individual in his or her communal network. 

The ethos of Group Analysis as proposed by Foulkes (1975) gives weight and value to the experiential nature of learning in a group.  As a result, group analytic training privileges group participation, for all members of the group including the conductors, as the core method of learning. Attendance and willingness to engage are therefore fundamental to an optimal group experience at every level of the training.

Group Analytic Course(s) offers a learning experience which includes personal therapy in a group, theory, supervised practice and clinical based inquiry & research. 

The main characteristics of this course are:

• A commitment to a learning experience which includes personal therapy in a group, theory and methodology, supervised practice and clinical based inquiry & research.
• A commitment to experiential learning where an emphasis is given to the experience of group analytic therapy.
• A commitment to applied learning in and through practice.
• An emphasis on working with the individual and the group and the individual in the group.  

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of group analysis and its emphasis on the social nature of the individual.
• Understanding of the unconscious processes, including the social unconscious, at work within group life, personal and professional.
• Capacity to be better able to positively influence dynamics within group life to foster healthier group functioning.
• Increased capacity to recognise personal and professional boundaries and the influence of these on relational life.
• Develop communication skills that will enhance their participation in personal and professional group life.

Course Structure

The Graduate Certificate in Group Analytic Studies is a one-year part time postgraduate course. It is designed as a ‘block’ training which is delivered over nine weekends per year. Each block begins on the Friday afternoon of the Training Weekend and finishes on the Sunday afternoon.

The course is delivered in-person in The School of Psychotherapy in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4.

Each weekend includes:

Therapeutic Experience – participation in a confidential group analytic therapy group and exposure to the workings of the unconscious which are a core learning experience of group analysis.  These groups are based on the Foulkesian model of therapy, which include a conductor and generally 8 participants.

Supervision – rigorous supervisory engagement of work.

Theoretical Seminars – interactive seminars which require students to participate in small group, large group discussions and presentations. 

Group Work Skills - interactive group which requires students to participate in theoretical discussion and role play activities.

Large Group – participation in an experiential large group setting which illustrates in practice, the impact membership of large groups has on individuals and groups.  The group allows for increased understanding of the social unconscious through experience of the use of metaphor, dreams, and repetitions in experiences spoken about in the here and now which convey the effects of societal traumatic events in the past - alongside other large group dynamics

This course is delivered in 4 core modules.

Module Title: Group Analytic Psychotherapy

Module Code:  PSCO40470

This year-long module is a core element of the training and aims to introduce students to the therapeutic experience of group analytic psychotherapy. The work of small group therapy is of professional and personal benefit. It involves a process which, as Foulkes says, contains a “spiral” element in that we return to different issues and questions over time to address them in different ways.

Small group affords students an opportunity to experience and participate in the here and now dynamic of the group.  Through participation in the relational dynamics of group life, students develop self-awareness and an appreciation of the benefits of group analytic psychotherapy. 

Module Title: Theory of Group Analysis

Module Code: PSCO40560

This year-long module focuses on introducing students to the basic principles of Foulkesian group analysis. Further to this, students will have the opportunity to study and explore introductory psychoanalytic texts, contemporary group analytic theory, including the social unconscious. This exploration will be enhanced by an experience in a large group setting.

Module Title: Group Work Skills

Module Code: PSCO40570

This module provides an opportunity in a group setting to explore and think about and work with the dynamics and the skills that support analytic group work practice.   Analytic group work practice includes dynamic administration, managing boundaries and a recognition of unconscious processes as they begin to emerge and influence group work.  Students will also have the opportunity to consider the role of group leader and become more attuned to the dynamics of group membership.

Module Title: Supervision and The Self

Module Code: PSCO40580

This year-long module affords students the opportunity to explore their professional work situation, events and experiences, from a group analytic perspective. It allows students to contribute to this exploration through work presentations, engaging with others and reflecting on their personal process. This supervisory process uses the lens of group analytic theoretical concepts and here and now dynamics to support students' learning.

The Graduate Certificate in Group Analytic Studies will be awarded following attendance of 80% or higher throughout the programme.

There are no end-of-year examinations.

Assessment will include: 

• On-going assessment of continuous engagement in groups, including, Group Analytic Therapy and Large Group.
• Reflection on experience, for example, the use of Learning Logs and Reflective Journals.
• Personal reflection and oral assessment on therapeutic experience.
• Articulation, demonstration and reflection on theory through group presentation.

Group Analysis offers clinicians, team leaders, educators, organisational consultants, group work practitioners and a range of other professionals an understanding of the theory and practice of group life. Through its focus on group processes and dynamics at a conscious and unconscious level, it directly supports the health and well-being of individuals, groups and organisations. The course also aims to support trainees to recognise the effect of group dynamics upon the self and others, and provides the opportunity to develop professionally and personally. 

Furthermore, this course provides an entry point to a further 5-year Professional Masters in Group Analytic Psychotherapy which provides accredited clinical training in Group Analytic Psychotherapy. Candidates can exit this 5-year Programme after 2 years with a MSc in Applied Group Analytic Studies.

All applicants will require an undergraduate degree or equivalent for entry.

International applicants should contact the Academic Programme Director for a full list of entry requirements. As a Part-Time programme it is currently not eligible for a study visa for applicants outside the EU.

 A list of FAQs for international applicants is available here.

Many graduates continue to work in their primary professions using group analytic principles to inform that work.  Further to this it provides a basis for their own management of the personal impact of their work.

• Click here and follow the steps outlined.
• Scroll to the bottom of the course page and click the (yellow) APPLY button.
• Follow the on screen instructions.
• You will be directed to a login page.
• If you have never applied to study at UCD before, click on Create Account and follow the instructions shown to you on the screen and by email. Once your account has been created, you will receive an email from UCD IT Services with your login credentials. To continue with your application, you should click on the ‘Continue’ hyperlink embedded in the email. Once you have logged into your account, you will see the application form for the programme you had selected.
• Please complete all the ‘Required Application Tasks’ to submit your application.
• To help you complete your application, we have created a comprehensive video guide about how to fill out the application. 
• Following submission of applications, applicants will be asked to complete a Health Form and attend a short interview.
• Late applications may be considered at the discretion of the Programme Team. For further information please contact brenda.sweeney@ucd.ie.

For more information on course fees please visit the Fees & Grants Office website.

Academic Programme Coordinator

Karen O’Shea, Module Coordinator

Group Analytic Training Programmes

UCD School Of Medicine

The School of Psychotherapy at SVUH

St Vincent’s University Hospital

Elm Park

Dublin 4

Email: osheak@ucd.ie