Training at WCSPP
Psychoanalytic Training
PSYCHOANALYTIC TRAINING PROGRAM (FOUR YEAR)
This program is designed to provide candidates with a firm grounding in psychoanalytic theory and practice upon which they can develop their own styles as psychoanalysts.
ADMISSION
• PSYCHIATRY: M.D. from an accredited medical school, completion of one year of psychiatric residency plus ongoing residency while in training. Two years of supervised clinical individual psychotherapeutic experience, at least one year of which must be with adults.
• PSYCHOLOGY: Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology from an accredited university or professional school. Two years of postgraduate supervised clinical individual psychotherapeutic experience, at least one year of which must be with adults. Eligibility for state licensure.
• SOCIAL WORK: Masters or doctoral degree from an accredited school of social work. Two years of postgraduate supervised clinical psychotherapeutic experience, at least one year of which must be with adults. Eligibility for state licensure.
• Other MENTAL HEALTH professionals are considered on an individual basis.
Admission is by application and interview. Applications are accepted until June 30; applications received after that date will be processed as time permits. Each applicant must have current professional liability insurance, a copy of which will be retained in the WCSPP office.
REQUIREMENTS
• PERSONAL ANALYSIS: Personal analysis, the foundation of a psychoanalytic education, must be concurrent with training and begin by January of the first year in the program. The minimum requirement is 400 hours with 200 hours of at least three sessions per week and 200 hours of at least two sessions per week.
A training analyst at WCSPP must be a graduate of a recognized institute program in psychoanalysis and have five years of experience beyond certification. Analysts trained outside WCSPP must be approved by the Training Committee. Training analysts do not participate in administrative decisions about the candidate nor do they report on the candidate’s progress.
• SUPERVISION: A minimum of 200 hours of supervision is required and must be distributed amongst at least four faculty supervisors. Candidates are required to treat at least two training patients and have at least 40 hours with the same supervisor to earn credit. It is expected that candidates continue in supervision for the duration of their training. An additional year (40 hours) of supervision is required with a candidate in, or graduate of, the WCSPP Supervisory Program (at no cost), or with a faculty supervisor (at the usual fee). Additional supervision may be required of some candidates to address their individual training needs.
• COURSE WORK: The four year academic program is organized as a trimester system with two courses per trimester. Each course meets for one hour and twenty minutes for 11 weeks; classes take place on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 10 PM. On the twelfth Tuesday of each trimester candidates are expected to attend a Town Meeting where WCSPP candidates, graduates, and faculty assemble for discussion.• CLINICAL REQUIREMENT: Candidates are required to provide psychoanalytic treatment to at least two training patients at a minimum of two times per week throughout their training. Training patients are assigned through the Treatment Service. Upon graduation, training patients may be transferred to the candidate’s private practice.
• REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION: Candidates are required to successfully complete course work and supervision, fulfill the personal psychoanalysis requirement, and be granted the final approval of the Training Committee.
• FEES: There is an annual $100 registration fee for each academic year to cover administrative costs. Course tuition is $375 per course per trimester; tuition is to be paid prior to the start of each trimester. If needed, individual payment plans can be arranged. Supervision is $50 per individual session.
PSYCHOANALYTIC TRAINING PROGRAM COURSES
Courses are designated as F (fall), W (winter) and S (spring).
FIRST YEAR
• 101 F Principles of Psychoanalysis – This seminar will introduce candidates through selected readings to central ideas in the field of psychoanalysis. Each seminar will be led by a different faculty member, thereby providing candidates with an opportunity to become acquainted with our faculty. The seminar will be focused on both theoretical as well as clinical issues. Case material will be provided by faculty and candidates.
• 102 F An Introduction to Contemporary Freudian Psychoanalytic Technique – This course will provide an overview of the basic technical concepts that characterize a uniquely psychoanalytic vision of the therapeutic process. The meaning and utility of free-association, transference, resistance and countertransference will be reviewed with special regard to their importance in the opening phase of treatment.
• 103 W Readings in Freud – The focus of this course will be on Freud’s early theories prior to the development of structural theory. The relationship between theory and practice will be emphasized.
• 104 W Evolution of Psychoanalytic Technique – This course offers an historical perspective on the origins of psychoanalytic technique.
• 105 S Clinical Seminar: Introduction to Interpersonal Techniques – Harry Stack Sullivan’s theoretical emphasis on interpersonal experience greatly expanded psychoanalytic technique. This course will introduce the key concepts that Sullivan first formulated to organize his “practical” approach to “interviewing.” His theoretical themes will be used to anchor and illuminate weekly class discussion of candidates’ clinical work.
• 106 S Harry Stack Sullivan and the Development of Interpersonal Psychoanalysis – This course considers the origins of interpersonal psychoanalysis. It focuses on the historical and clinical contexts in which Sullivan’s work evolved, on his core metapsychological, developmental and clinical conceptualization, and on his lasting influence.
SECOND YEAR
• 201 F Perspectives on Contemporary Classical Technique – Through the writings of Charles Brenner and others, the class will study the components of unconscious conflict and learn how to apply this theory to the clinical situation.
• 202 F Clinical Seminar: Transference – This course provides an integration of theoretical readings and technical applications. It introduces the candidate to the initial phases of working with the transference. Examples of transference from the candidates’ cases will be discussed.
• 203 W Readings in Early Interpersonal Theory – This course examines the work of early interpersonalists who laid the groundwork for and expanded theoretical and clinical applications of interpersonal psychoanalysis. It includes an examination of the work of Fromm, Horney and Thompson as well as subsequent writers who formed a bridge to contemporary interpersonal theory.
• 204 W Clinical Seminar: Working from a Two-Person Psychology – The manner in which enactments are played out within the transference-countertransference matrix, and the concept of the unconscious from an interpersonal perspective will be considered in this course.
• 205 S Dream Analysis – This course combines a didactic and theoretical approach to dream analysis. Freudian theoretical and technical foundations of dream interpretation will be emphasized. Clinical presentations will be used to sensitize candidates to understanding the language of the unconscious.
• 206 S Development of the Self – This course is designed to acquaint candidates with ideas associated with the self. Beginning with the self as a product of the individual’s biologically based development and incorporating infant research, attachment theory, systems theory and, to a lesser extent, neuropsychology, the course reconsiders classical, object relations and self psychology psychoanalytic theories of development.
THIRD YEAR
• 301 F Clinical Seminar: Survey on Countertransference – Case material will be used to explore changing perspectives about countertransference theory from its origin in Freud’s early writings to the seminal contributions of today’s most influential psychoanalytic thinkers. As clinical material and participants’ own countertransferences are integral to developing an understanding of and ability to work with countertransference, there is strong emphasis upon maintaining a respectful, safe and encouraging atmosphere in which this work can take place.
• 302 F British Object Relations Theory – This course explores the origins of Object Relations Theory, reviewing the work of Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott and Ronald Fairbairn. Clinical application is emphasized, using case vignettes presented by the instructor and class members.
• 303 W Clinical Seminar: Exploration of Contemporary Classical Theory and Technique – This course develops further the concepts of conflict, compromise formation, unconscious processes, transference, countertransference, listening, and interventions.
• 304 W Readings in Freud – This course traces the development of Freud’s thought, beginning with his early studies on psychopathology and continuing with his writings on dreams, sexuality, narcissism, and later theoretical revision.
• 305 S Introduction to Self Psychology – Kohut’s seminal ideas and their extension by later theorists into the broader concepts of contemporary self psychology are examined with particular emphasis on changes in analytic technique.
• 306 S Clinical Seminar: Self-Psychology – This course is organized around the presentation of case material by candidates. Using clinical material from ongoing therapy cases, candidates learn how to organize and present their work in a way that best illustrates the actual workings of self-psychological analysis.
FOURTH YEAR
• 401F Advanced Relational Theories – The course will review the theoretical and clinical relational literature. It will refer to the work of contemporary relational authors, including Mitchell, Hoffman, Davies, Bromberg and Maroda.
• 402 F Contemporary Interpersonal Theory – This course highlights the unique contributions of the varying interpersonal perspectives, with emphasis on the self, the interplay of transference and countertransference, and the nature of the therapeutic process.
• 403 W Advanced Clinical Seminar on Dreams – Contemporary theories of dream analysis will be explored and applied to candidates’ clinical work. This course compares the different theories and techniques that psychoanalysts currently utilize in their work with dreams.
• 404 W Elective – Arranged by class, with instructor and topic of their choice.
• 405 S Elective – Arranged by class, with instructor and topic of their choice.
• 406 S Comparative Psychoanalytic Case Studies – This course presents a comparison of different schools of psychoanalytic thought. Published case studies are used to explore theoretical perspectives.
