Didactic Courses and Seminars

The core didactic curriculum is a four-year comprehensive, integrated course of study leading to a thorough understanding of psychoanalytic thought from its beginnings through current trends. Beginning with a year long study of the works of Freud, the theoretical track moves through other significant areas including: ego psychology, object relations, self-psychology, affect theory, intersubjectivity, the relevance of child observation studies to clinical analysis with adults, the relevance of neurobiological research to analytic theory and research methodology. Providing a focus for the integration of theoretical and clinical viewpoints, courses in development and psychopathology present an opportunity to view various theoretical models in a cross-sectional mode.

Designed to parallel each candidate’s work with patients, every year the clinical track includes a course on theory of psychoanalytical process and technique as well as clinical seminars where material from actual casework is presented. The emphasis may focus on such topics as specific problems that arise within an analysis, the unfolding of the analytic process and the technical handling of transference, counter-transference, resistance, and interpretation.

Following the academic year of September to June, classroom time averages five hours per week with classes traditionally held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Following completion of the four-year curriculum and until graduation, advanced candidates are required to meet during the academic year for an elective class. Additionally, various individualized electives are available.