About the NWIDP

Introduction

What is Dynamic Psychotherapy?

The Aims of the NWIDP

The History of the NWIDP

Introduction

The Northwest Institute of Dynamic Psychotherapy (NWIDP) was established to provide advanced training and further education in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy in the North West of England.   The NWIDP is the main training and accrediting body in the North West, and has links to the University of Manchester, the NHS and other psychotherapy training organisations in the North of England.

The NWIDP is recognised as both a training and an accrediting body by the United Kingdom Council for the Psychotherapies (UKCP), and Full members of the NWIDP are entitled to be registered as Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists by the UKCP.

The other main training organisation in the North West of England is Group Analysis North, which provides training in group analytic psychotherapy.

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What is Dynamic psychotherapy?

Psychodynamic psychotherapy recognises that problems in the present may have their roots in past experience, and that current behaviour may be motivated by feelings derived from that experience.  Dynamic therapists work on the assumption that such problems will emerge in the relationship with the therapist as well as in other relationships (with family, partners, children, work colleagues, etc.), and thus the therapeutic relationship is the central focus of therapy. The treatment consists of developing a therapeutic conversation focusing on the "here and now" experience of both patient and therapist.  Dynamic psychotherapy is used for both in brief therapy where there is a defined area of difficulty (a "focus"), and over the longer term, aimed at helping change how patients function in relationships in all areas of their lives.

Dynamic psychotherapy is defined as an interpretative, non-directive treatment, usually conducted with individuals or groups, based in psychoanalytic theory and practice.  It aims to reach the underlying, often unconscious, causes of distress. Communication is through the medium of language (or, with children, play and other forms of non verbal communication).

Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy has its origins in psychoanalytic practice and theory, derived from Freud and his successors.  The focus of therapy is the underlying and often unconscious causes of distress.  Together with the therapist the patient can explore associations, memories, fantasies, feelings and dreams, to do with both past and present.  The therapy provides a reliable setting in which to relive, if appropriate, the conditions of childhood.

The agency of change is the personal, professional relationship between therapist and client, especially the exploration of its unconscious aspects.  Particular attention is given to the interaction with the therapist (transference and countertransference) where long standing conflicts can come to light, be recognised and be brought to a better resolution.

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The Aims of the NWIDP

• To promote the wider provision of psychotherapy for the public and in the public interest.
• To promote the public and professional use and awareness of psychotherapy, and specifically those forms of dynamic psychotherapy referred to in this constitution.
• To provide training in dynamic psychotherapy.
• To contribute to public health by requiring and maintaining high standards of training and practice in dynamic psychotherapy on behalf of members, including requiring appropriate professional ethical standards to be met.
• To assist in the development and furtherance of psychotherapy within and outside the National Health Service.
• To encourage education and research into the practice and application of dynamic psychotherapy.
• To represent the profession of psychotherapy with other professions, organisations and health care providers in the North West of England and elsewhere when necessary.
• To assist in the furtherance of dynamic psychotherapy nationally by taking such action as is necessary to retain membership as a Training and Accrediting Organisation of the Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Section of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

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History of the NWIDP

The NWIDP was formed in 1991, primarily to function as a postgraduate body for therapists who had completed the North West Regional Diploma in Dynamic Psychotherapy.

Training in dynamic psychotherapy in the North West of England, particularly within the NHS, had been developing for a number of years, primarily through the work of the North West Regional Psychotherapy Association (NWRPA) and in workshops and other training events. These were often held in the old Regional Training Centre at Brindle Lodge.

As the core body of experienced therapists grew, and interest in psychotherapy training spread, a critical mass was reached when it was possible to establish a formal training course in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.  This was at first sponsored by the NHS, through the Regional Health Authority, but now functions independently.

Meanwhile the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) was establishing a registration structure for psychotherapists, and the NWIDP grew out of the NWRPA, joining UKCP as a training organisation.  Subsequent accreditation visits by the UKCP have confirmed the status of the NWIDP as both a training and an accrediting organisation.

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