Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy

Understanding unconscious dynamics within couple relationships.

Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy is a specialist educational programme of the Iranian Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies (IRCP). It provides systematic education in couple therapy based on psychoanalytic theory, Object Relations theory, and contemporary approaches to couple psychotherapy.

The programme combines theoretical teaching, Theory and Practice Seminars (TAPS), clinical seminars, case discussions, therapeutic role play, supervision, and clinically informed learning.

Rather than viewing a couple simply as two separate individuals, the programme considers the couple as a shared psychological system in which attachment histories, unconscious conflicts, transference, countertransference, and Object Relations patterns are recreated within the relationship.

Why This Programme?

Couple therapy involves more than managing communication difficulties and relationship conflicts. It requires an understanding of unconscious processes, personality organisation, attachment patterns, and the shared psychological dynamics of the couple.

By connecting theory with supervised and clinically informed learning, the programme supports participants in gradually developing their capacity to observe, formulate, and intervene in complex couple relationships.

Programme Features

• Systematic education in psychoanalytic couple therapy
• Grounding in Object Relations theory and contemporary psychoanalysis
• Integration of theoretical teaching, supervision, and clinically informed learning
• Use of case discussions and therapeutic role play
• Education in psychodynamic formulation for couple therapy
• Progressive development of professional identity in couple therapy

Educational Structure

• Theoretical teaching
• Theory and Practice Seminars (TAPS)
• Clinical seminars
• Case discussions
• Therapeutic role play
• Supervision

Key Areas of Study

Foundations of Psychoanalytic Couple Therapy

• The concept of the Couple State of Mind
• Object Relations theory in couple therapy
• Unconscious fantasy within couple relationships
• Transference and countertransference
• Projection, introjection, and projective identification
• The couple as a psychological container
• Reflective space and the capacity to think within the couple relationship

Assessment, Formulation, and Therapeutic Technique

• Initial interview and assessment of the couple
• Psychodynamic formulation
• Kleinian approaches to couple therapy
• Listening to unconscious communication
• The therapeutic alliance
• Therapeutic interventions
• Patient-centred and therapist-centred interpretations
• The role of transference and countertransference

Advanced Clinical Themes

• Couples with borderline personality dynamics
• Couples with narcissistic dynamics
• Couples and trauma
• Shame, reputation, and social control
• Power, domination, and humiliation
• Aggression and hatred within couple relationships
• Infidelity and relationship crises
• Loyalty and hidden alliances
• Gender and gender roles
• Sexual relationships and intimacy
• Couples without a sexual relationship
• The role of children within the couple relationship
• Endings and termination

Who Is This Programme For?

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Licensed mental health professionals
• Graduates of the Foundation Programme in Psychoanalysis or an IRCP-approved equivalent

Admission Requirements

• Completion of the Foundation Programme in Psychoanalysis or an equivalent programme approved by IRCP
• At least 12 months of individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy
• Successful academic interview
• Commitment to regular participation in the educational programme and supervision

Important: Individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy and supervision form part of the programme’s educational requirements. The cost of individual psychotherapy is not included in the programme tuition and is arranged separately. Supervision for one patient is included within the educational programme; supervision costs for additional patients are the participant’s responsibility.

Academic Team

Scientific Leads

Dr Mohammad Sanati
Distinguished Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, United Kingdom
Chair, Iranian Branch of the World Association for Dynamic Psychiatry (WADP)

Dr Mahdieh Moin
Psychiatrist and former faculty member, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Member of the British Psychoanalytical Society
Former Director of the Psychotherapy Fellowship Programme, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)

Programme Coordinator

Dr Sadaf Kahookar
Psychiatrist and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Couple Therapist

This programme is an educational programme of the Iranian Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies (IRCP). Information presented on this website is for educational and programme-information purposes.