DIPLOMA IN COMMUNITY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

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Phenomenology is a discipline which brings into view the phenomena of the world rather than explaining things by some particular schema. Social phenomenology addresses itself to the basic phenomena of ordinary living. The phenomena of ordinary living and community situations has been an enquiry of the PA since its early days. After the Kingsley Hall experiment the PA has fostered some 19 therapeutic community households which have offered refuge and asylum to those who sought it, exploring communal solutions to personal crises to work through situations together in a collective manner. 

But it isn’t as easy as saying that community is good and marginalisation is bad. It is possible to feel at home in prison and in prison at home. Thinking about community must also involve thinking about how one group impacts, threatens, ignores, deprives another. Community presupposes conflict. 

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In the current economic and political climate of austerity which is ushering in the model of computerised quick-fix therapy, community solutions have all but disappeared. Day centres, youth clubs, libraries and other shared spaces have closed down. What is left is a fragmented and afflicted society in what can feel like a hostile environment. Community as a therapeutic ideal remains as elusive as ever yet the need for it is more and more urgent.

Held at the PA premises in Hampstead, north London, the course takes place over six weekends spread out over the academic year. You will encounter various group experiences and seminars discussing Towards a phenomenology of Community, Madness in the Family, Politics and Community, Psychiatry and Institutions, personal journeys.

This course serves as both a stand alone course and an introduction to the PA (including the PA communities) Students may apply to the Psychotherapy training after completing this course. 

REQUIREMENTS

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Students are required to bring their own experience of group or community work to reflective practice

i.e. a facilitated group which invites exploration about crucial issues necessary to understand the nature of organisations, groups and communities.  

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Outside of the course weekends students will be offered one tutorial per term and invited to a reading group.

Students can also use the course to devise and set up community groups and take advantage of a range of advice provided by experienced community practitioners as part of the course.

(b) Completion of a satisfactory 4000-word essay reflecting an experience of community work will lead to a Diploma certificate but students can also attend the course without fulfilling this requirement. 

APPLICATION AND FEES

The course costs £890, a limited number of bursaries are available for students surviving on low income.

Interviews for 2026/7 begin in March 2026 until late September, to apply Click here for the application form or contact the course coordinators for further information

courses@philadelphia-association.org.uk

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In addition to the regular meetings of each individual course, students from all the courses will be invited to attend a series of Saturday morning online seminars. 

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