British Psychoanalytical Society
The British Psychoanalytical Society (BPAS), also known as the Institute of Psychoanalysis, is a professional association and training institute for psychoanalysis in the United Kingdom.[1][2] Founded in 1913 by Ernest Jones as the London Psychoanalytical Society and renamed in 1919, it is a founding society of the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) and follows the Eitingon model of training.[1][3] The society is renowned for fostering the development of object relations theory and hosting major figures such as Melanie Klein, Anna Freud, Donald Winnicott, and Wilfred Bion, and maintains three parallel training tracks reflecting its historical factions.[1][4]
| British Psychoanalytical Society | |
|---|---|
| Organization details | |
| Type | Psychoanalytic society and training institute |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Founder(s) | Ernest Jones |
| Key figures | Ernest Jones, Melanie Klein, Anna Freud, Donald Winnicott, Wilfred Bion |
| Orientation | Freudian with Kleinian, Independent, and Freudian (Anna Freudian) groups |
| Institutional context | |
| Affiliation | International Psychoanalytical Association |
| Relation to IPA | Component society |
| Operations | |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Geographic scope | National (UK) with international members |
| Training function | Eitingon model (training analysis, seminars, supervision) |
| Publications | The International Journal of Psychoanalysis |
| Website | https://psychoanalysis.org.uk/ |
History
Precursors and Origins
Psychoanalysis in Britain emerged from Sigmund Freud's efforts to disseminate his theories in the English-speaking world, with Ernest Jones playing a pivotal role after meeting Freud at the 1908 Salzburg Psychoanalytical Congress.[1] Jones, a British neurosurgeon, had previously helped establish the American Psychoanalytic Association while teaching in Toronto.[1]
Founding (1913)
The society was founded by Ernest Jones as the London Psychoanalytical Society on 30 October 1913, with nine founding members including William Mackenzie, Maurice Nicoll, and David Eder.[1] It immediately faced tensions from the Freud-Jung split, with Jones, a close Freud ally, purging Jungian influences to align it firmly with Freudian psychoanalysis.[1]
In 1919, Jones re-founded it as the British Psychoanalytical Society, serving as its first president, and with John Rickman established the Institute of Psychoanalysis and a clinic.[1]
Interwar years and expansion
During the 1920s, Melanie Klein's influence grew; Jones invited her to London in 1925 after her Berlin talks.[1] The rise of Nazism brought refugee analysts, including Sigmund Freud and Anna Freud in 1938, swelling membership—by 1937, 13 of 71 members were European refugees.[1] This influx intensified factional divides between Kleinian and Anna Freudian approaches.[1]
The Controversial Discussions
By 1942, factional strife necessitated the "Controversial Discussions," a committee chaired by representatives from Kleinian, Freudian, and middle groups.[1] The outcome was a "gentleman's agreement" establishing three training tracks: A (Kleinian), B (Freudian/Anna Freudian), and D (Independent), ensuring balanced committee representation.[1]
Post-World War II
Post-war, Independents like Winnicott, Michael Balint, and Bion dominated, while the society influenced NHS institutions such as the Tavistock Clinic.[1][2]
Organizational Structure
The society is governed by a Board of Trustees and operates through the Institute of Psychoanalysis for training and the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis for practice, headquartered at Byron House in west London.[2][1] It maintains the "gentleman's agreement" structure with three scientific groups: Kleinian (A), Freudian (B), and Independent (D).[1]
Membership Categories
Membership includes full psychoanalysts, associates, and affiliates, with around 600 members from diverse backgrounds providing multilingual services.[2]
Training and Formation
Training follows the IPA's Eitingon model, requiring personal analysis (typically four sessions weekly), supervised clinical work, and theoretical seminars.[3][1] Candidates progress through the three parallel tracks aligned with the society's groups.[1]
Key Concepts and Theoretical Orientation
The society encompasses diverse orientations but is particularly associated with object relations theory, pioneered by Klein (paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions) and developed by Winnicott (true/false self, "good enough mother").[4] This interpersonal focus distinguishes it from ego psychology or Lacanian traditions, emphasizing early relationships' impact on the psyche.[4]
Notable Members
- Ernest Jones: Founder and Freud's key British ally.[1]
- Melanie Klein: Developed child analysis and object relations.[1][4]
- Anna Freud: Ego psychology and child analysis.[1]
- Donald Winnicott: True/false self concepts.[1][4]
- Wilfred Bion: Group dynamics and thinking processes.[1]
- Michael Balint: Basic fault theory.[1]
Publications
The society co-publishes The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, a leading peer-reviewed journal.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 "British Psychoanalytical Society". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Who we are". British Psychoanalytical Society. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "British Psychoanalytical Society". European Psychoanalytical Federation. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "The British Psychoanalytic Tradition: A Historical Overview". 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
External Links
- https://psychoanalysis.org.uk/ Official website of the British Psychoanalytical Society
- https://www.ipa.world/ International Psychoanalytical Association