Northern Ireland Institute of Human Relations – The Irish Council for Psychotherapy

A Community of Therapists

A professional forum for psychoanalytic psychotherapists and those working in related mental health fields to pursue their continuing professional development.

Founded in 1990, the Institute is a member organisation of both the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). As such, it is one of the professional bodies responsible for the accreditation and ongoing professional development of psychoanalytic psychotherapists across Northern Ireland. The Institute provides a dynamic and engaging, well-established forum for the discussion and advancement of psychoanalytic approaches to the understanding of personal and social difficulties. Lord Alderdice is the esteemed Patron of the Institute, whilst honorary members include leading psychoanalyst and author Susie Orbach.

Institute members work in both public and private settings, offering the highest standards of individual, couple, and group psychotherapy, clinical supervision and consultation. Full members are registered to practice with the Psychoanalytic Section of the ICP and the Council for Psychoanalysis and Jungian Analysis of the UKCP. The Institute also publishes an online register of clinical supervisors, accredited by the Psychoanalytic Section of the ICP. The Institute acts as a focus of interest and commitment for those whose primary professional concern lies in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and related fields. It also offers public events for those who wish to explore the relevance and potential application of psychodynamic thinking across a variety of different contexts.

Over the course of the academic year, the Institute runs a full and varied programme of events, engaging with a diverse range of clinical, societal, and cultural issues – consisting of clinical seminars, public lectures and conferences, a Group Analytic Section, a Clinical and Theoretical Reading Group, a Psychoanalytic Film Club, an Art Project, a Social Concern Group, and a Psychoanalytic Book Club. The Institute also provides a regular, facilitated Reflective Group, offering a supportive space for members to process the ongoing impact of living and working through the pandemic.

Membership

The Institute offers three different categories of membership:

Full Membership is open to suitably qualified psychoanalytic psychotherapists who have completed a full clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy to at least Masters level. Additional clinical experience and training may be required – in accordance with the training standards of the ICP and the UKCP.
Trainee Membership is open to trainees on recognised clinical training courses in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Associate Membership is open to individuals working in mental health arenas with an interest in psychoanalytic perspectives. Applications will also be considered from individuals not currently engaged in the field of mental health, who nonetheless wish to pursue an interest in psychoanalytic thinking.

For further details of the Institute’s professional services and activities, and to enquire about the various categories of membership available, please contact:

David Smith, Chair, at niinstitutehr@gmail.com

Rhoda Dorndorf, Honorary Secretary, at niihrsecretary@outlook.com

Northern Ireland Institute of Human Relations (NIIHR)

Address: 5 Crescent Gardens, Belfast BT7 1NS, Northern Ireland

Email: David Smith (Chair): niinstitutehr@gmail.com

Email: Shahrzad Hashemi (Hon Secretary): niihrsecretary@outlook.com

Website: www.niihr.org

The NIIHR was inaugurated in November 1990. A registered charity and a limited company, it aims to provide a forum for the discussion and advancement of psychoanalytic approaches to the understanding of personal and social difficulties. Members work in public and private settings, with individuals and with groups. The Institute acts as a focus of interest and commitment for those whose major professional concern is in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and related fields. It also offers public events for those who wish to explore the relevance of psychodynamic ideas to different contexts. Current Work of the Institute The current programme includes: • monthly reading groups • visiting speakers • public conferences • the development of specialist sections • clinical seminars in specialist areas • research (a list of papers produced by Institute members is available on request) • continued promotion of links with professional bodies in the UK and Ireland • the establishment of an EAP accredited ‘top up’ training programme • accreditation and registration of psychotherapists in Northern Ireland Institutional Affiliations and Associations The Institute is a member organisation of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. The Institute also has links with the NHS Centre for Psychotherapy in Belfast. Organisation of the Institute Each year the Annual General Meeting elects an executive committee, who undertake the day-to-day running of the Institute. Group Work Section Regular meetings promote the application of group analysis, and offer support to colleagues in their professional and clinical work. The Section has also developed relations with sister organisations in the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and England. Applying for Membership Those interested in applying for membership should contact: The Secretary, NIIHR, 2 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BW (niinstitutehr@gmail.com) Full membership is open to suitably qualified psychoanalytic psychotherapists. • Trainee Membership is open to students on recognised training courses in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. • Associate Membership is open to those with an interest in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.