About us
Our Centre is recognised internationally as one of the leading
centres for work that focuses on the role of the unconscious mind in mental
health as well as in culture and society generally.
Excellence in research and teaching
We foster creative, new ways of looking at these areas, and our world-class
research is evidence of this. Located within the best Faculty of Social Sciences
in the UK, the Centre is surrounded by strong departments that support its work.
The Centre enjoys an outstanding reputation for research and has consistently
achieved the highest rating in the UK's Research Assessment Exercises, most
recently in 2008.
Drawing on our research excellence, the Centre offers a wide range of
undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and research opportunities in both
psychoanalytic and Jungian thought. At Essex you will be taught and supervised
by senior clinicians and world-class scholars.
Enriched careers
Our courses are aimed at practitioners in a variety of areas, such as refugee
care, organisational dynamics, community, educational and social care, as well
as psychotherapy. Our graduates take their expertise into practically every area
of life, not just the psychotherapy professions and continued academic work but
also the worlds of the arts, business, education, journalism, philosophy,
politics, religion, and social work - wherever there is need for deeper
awareness about the experiencing person and the unconscious mind.
Learning and teaching
Our courses are distinctive from others in our provision of a pluralistic and
non-sectarian environment in which various depth psychological models of the
unconscious are critically examined (especially Freudian, Jungian, and British
Object Relations).
We have a thriving international community of about 50 students researching for
a PhD or Professional Doctorate. In addition we offer experiential days and
residential short courses on working with groups. We have strong links with the
local NHS (National Health Service), care services and professional institutions
that allows students to keep up-to-date with current trends.
Reflecting the international character of our University
Our students come from a wide variety of professional and educational
backgrounds. Many are working professionals who come to study with us to develop
their careers or gain a better understanding of the subject in order to become
better practitioners. You will have the opportunity to work with and be taught
by senior clinicians and world-class scholars in the field, many of which are
practising clinicians.