Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) 5-Day

The pre-entry requirements in detail:

1. Evidence of a minimum of a 1 year course of study (this could be completed through different courses over time) that has exposed the applicant to the fundamentals of psychoanalytic theory as specified in the Psychodynamic Competences framework (certificates and course description required)

2. A minimum of 150hrs of supervised psychodynamic work (reference from a qualified psychodynamic or psychoanalytic supervisor is required)

3. At least one year of weekly personal psychodynamic psychotherapy/counselling (written confirmation required from a qualified and recognised psychodynamic or psychoanalytic clinician)

4. At least two years’ employment in an NHS/Talking Therapies or voluntary institution (or private capacity) working in a therapeutic capacity with adults with mental health problems (written confirmation required)

5. HCPC, BPC, UKCP or BACP registration (or an equivalent professional registration at the discretion of the course tutors*) - (copy of the registration required).

*We can accept applicants who are based abroad as long as they meet the pre-entry requirements. Although we can accept applicants registered with an equivalent non-UK professional body, those trainees without a valid UK registration will not be able to obtain the BPC registration. They will, however, be able to practise DIT in their country on successful completion of training and supervision.

Only those who:

• possess a diploma level or equivalent training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy or counselling

• pass the role play exercise at the end of the course

can then go on to supervised clinical practice (two cases for 16 sessions each – all session taped) to become practitioners in DIT. Please note that cost of the supervision is not included in the price of the training.

You will be required to provide evidence of the pre-entry requirements, as well as a copy of your CV.

If you meet these criteria and would like to secure a place on the 2026 course, please email DIT@annafreud.org attaching all of the evidence listed above by 20 February 2026.

We encourage applications from those employed for NHS Talking Therapies services.  We have a limited number of places fully-funded by Health Education England (HEE) for NHS Talking Therapies services. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on DIT@annafreud.org.  

Applicants from NHS Talking Therapies services may qualify for a fully funded place on this training. Please contact your service lead or DIT@annafreud.org to find out whether your service has been allocated a funded place by HEE.

For those who wish to progress to the next stage, it is necessary to obtain a ‘Certificate of Competence’. This is a requirement for taking on supervised cases to reach practitioner level. It will involve a taped role play with an actor which is then assessed. If this is passed, then delegates can proceed to taking on supervised cases.

During this role-play students will have to evidence:

• An aptitude for identifying relational and effective themes from the patient’s material: the aim is to ensure that the student can pick up on themes but there is no requirement to evidence a capacity to formulate.

• A capacity to articulate and share with the patient these relational and effective themes in a clear and coherent manner so as to test their relevance to understanding the patient’s current predicament.

• Demonstrate the DIT therapeutic stance.

The supervised practice component will involve seeing two patients under weekly supervision. You must complete at least 1 of your 2 training cases in-person. Each patient will be seen for 16 sessions of weekly DIT. This is typically structured as half an hour supervision per patient over 16 sessions.

In addition, four additional tape recordings will need to be submitted for rating. All therapy sessions will be audio or videotaped. In the first case, three tapes will be randomly selected and rated according to the DIT rating scale. For the second case, assuming that a student is progressing well in the training, one tape will be selected for rating. Where there are concerns about the student's progress an additional two tapes may be requested and rated.

At the end of the supervision period, trainees will be able to see DIT patients with weekly supervision until they are registered DIT practitioners.

It is advised that trainees start supervision soon after passing their role plays. The deadline for starting supervision is 3 months after attending the training. If a trainee is yet to start supervised practice 9 months since the training, they would need to complete the DIT Refresher training before starting supervised practice.

Supervision should not take more than 15 months to complete. We strongly recommend that supervision is completed within 18 months of completing the 5-day training. If supervision is not successfully completed within 2 years, and without attendance at a DIT Refresher training, the trainee will be required to repeat the training. Once the refresher course has been attended further supervision time is provided for completion of the training.

For any enquiries relating to the second stage of the training, please email DIT@annafreud.org.

Upon the successful completion of the clinical casework the trainee will need to submit a 3000 word case study, which should evidence a capacity to integrate theory and practice through giving an account of work with one of the two training cases. Trainees are expected to submit their case study within three months of completing their last case.

Once the trainee has passed the case study, there is a CPD requirement to have one hour of DIT supervision for every 12 hours of DIT therapy work for the first year of work as a DIT practitioner. This equates to an hour of supervision a month if you have a caseload of three DIT patients. This supervision does not count towards accreditation as a supervisor. However, it is helpful to consolidate one's understanding of and work within the model by gaining more experience before going on to becoming a supervisor.

Beyond the first year, we advise using peer supervision of DIT work. To maintain DIT practitioner status, there is a requirement to see at least one patient a year.

Please read this document to see our expected time-frame for gaining accreditation via the 5-Day DIT Training Programme.

Those who complete the 5-Day DIT training successfully will be able to join the British Psychoanalytic Council roster of ‘kite marked’ practitioners. Please note that there will be an annual cost of £50 to appear on the Roster, or £25 per year for those already a BPC Registrant, to be paid directly to the BPC.

This course costs £4,650 per person for training, supervision, case study and rating of tapes, with the following breakdown:

• £1,500 for 5-day training (including the role play)

• £2400 for 16 hours of supervision (two cases) at £150 per hour

• £600 for four tape assessments at £150 per hour

• £150 for case study

Applicants from NHS Talking Therapies services may qualify for a fully funded place on this training. Applicants should contact their service lead or DIT@annafreud.org to find out whether their service has been allocated any funded places by the NHS.

If an applicant wishes to self-fund this training, they should please contact us to discuss this option.

For the live training segments, we'll be using Zoom. Please ensure your device meets Zoom's system requirements before enrolling. You can test your equipment at  Zoom.us/test  before the training to address any technical issues.  

For self-guided learning, materials, and homework, you will receive access to the Anna Freud Learning Hub, powered by Thinkific. This is compatible with most devices. For optimal access, please use Google Chrome.

Upon booking, you will be asked to confirm that you have read and accept our terms and conditions and our privacy notice. Please read these documents before booking:

• Terms and conditions

• Privacy notice