In 1997 the APP Council decided to develop Regional Structures with the aim of making the organisation more nationally based. It was hoped that these developments would promote the aims of the APP at a local level, and enable the APP Council to be more aware of and responsive to developments and difficulties around the country. It was anticipated that over time each region would develop its own Regional Group. This would include 8 for England, 1 for Wales and 1 for N Ireland (Scotland would have its own structure).
The initial idea was that that a Regional Committee would be established comprising psychoanalytic psychotherapists with a medical back ground, a clinical psychology background, a group psychoanalytic psychotherapist, a child psychoanalytic psychotherapist and other psychoanalytic psychotherapists as appropriate. All would be full members of APP. Other members could be co-opted, as the Committee felt appropriate.
The aims of the Regional Committees, as described in the original proposal, were those of the APP. To promote the establishment of recognised training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the NHS, to promote the provision of psychoanalytic psychotherapy services in the Public Sector, to support the development of training and posts for well qualified psychoanalytic psychotherapists in the region, and to ensure that there were good quality clinical meetings available locally.
In practice, and as was anticipated, there was a gradual development of Committees, each of which developed in its own way, with its own particular focus and aims. Regular meetings to share ideas about developments has promoted interest, debate, and has contributed to the development of posts, training, educational events, and shared initiatives with the Education and Training Consortia.
Four Regions within England currently have a contact person who acts as a coordinator for the local Committee/Group and links with the Regional Representative on Council.
Northern and Yorkshire Region Ms Veronica Gore (Regional Representative on Council)
Tel: 0191 2824547 Email: vagore@aol.com
South West Region Mrs. Pip Garvey Tel 01404 841475 E mail: pip@garv.demon.co.uk
Eastern Region Mr. Philip Roys Tel 01865 556648
West Midlands Region Dr. Jan Birtles Tel 0121 678 3244
If you are interested in hearing about or being involved in APP events and activities in your Region contact the coordinator in your Region. It is planned that there will be a contact person in each region fairly soon, but in the interim if there is not as yet a named contact person and you are interested in what might be going on in your Region get in touch with Veronica Gore at the above telephone number.
Activities tend to vary from region to region. Some events are specifically APP but in many instances there are overlaps between NHS Psychotherapy Service events, those organised through the Tavistock Clinic and APP activities.
Examples of activities in the different regions are;
It is planned to expand the Regional Network to those regions that do not currently have a contact person. In addition the regional groups are linking up more with the various sub-committees within the APP to plan joint events and activities.
Examples of events planned in the forthcoming year are:
For further information contact person in the appropriate region. If your region does not as yet have a contact person contact Veronica Gore at the above telephone number.
Updated on: