Professional Bodies and Further Training

The Australian governing body for psychoanalysis and a component society of the International Psychoanalytical Association, with branches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. APAS offers full training toward qualification as a psychoanalyst, alongside shorter introductory courses — some available by videoconference — for clinicians wanting a grounding without committing to the full program.

A federated body formed in 1980, with member associations across most Australian states and New Zealand, and over 200 psychoanalytic psychotherapists involved. Its member associations offer accredited training programs running three to five years, and the PPAA publishes the Australasian Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Established in the late 1970s, QPPA is the Queensland component association of the PPAA — a multidisciplinary body providing training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, supervision, and continuing education. For Brisbane-based clinicians considering a next step after Insight, this is the most direct local pathway.

An independent non-profit offering theoretical and clinical seminars to psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and others in the helping professions, with some courses open to anyone interested in psychoanalytic thinking. Seminars may count toward the theoretical components of QPPA training.

Established by the late Professor Paul Lysaker, the Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) Institute supports training, certification and research in Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy — an approach to working with psychosis and severe mental illness that centres the recovery of a coherent sense of self. Robert Schweitzer is certified in MERIT and serves on the Institute's Board.

Runs programs and seminars on integrative approaches to psychotherapy.