About Us

The IFPP

The Irish Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (IFPP) was founded in 1986 to provide a focus for people with an interest in advancing the study and practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy within Ireland. The characteristic spirit of the Forum is embedded in the word, Forum; a gathering or assembly where views and ideas about a particular issue can be exchanged. This is the element which gives the IFPP its particular identity.
The theory and practice of Psychoanalysis underpins psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Sigmund Freud is recognised as the father of psychoanalysis and other major thinkers and practitioners in the field have been Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, Helene Deutsch, Wilfred Bion and Jacques Lacan. Contemporary writers include Thomas Ogden, Estela Welldon, Catherine Mathelin, Adam Phillips and Stephen Grosz. Further sources on information concerning psychoanalytic psychotherapy may be found, in summary form, on the Psychoanalytic Electronic Publishing (PEP) website.

The Aim of the IFPP

The Forum aims to set and maintain ethical, academic and training requirements for the organization so that all levels of membership of the IFPP meet the expected international standards of professional competence.
Our practitioners have as a minimum, four years post graduate training at master level and are dedicated to ongoing professional development. The Forum aims to promote psychoanalytic psychotherapy as an accessible and effective support for mental wellbeing.
The Forum is one of the accrediting bodies in Ireland for psychoanalytic practitioners working with adults, and is a member of the Psychoanalytic Section of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP).