The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis

Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program

General Statement

The Adult Psychotherapy Training Program:
A Post-Graduate Opportunity for Clinicians

The Adult Psychotherapy Training Program (The Program) is sponsored by the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, one of the largest and most renowned of its kind in the United States. Founded in 1932, The Institute is internationally recognized as a leading center for education, training and research in psychoanalysis and psychodynamically informed education and treatment models. The Institute maintains contacts and relationships with many institutions, national and regional, and considers local community service to be an additional important component of its mission.

Description

Our Program is an intensive, clinically oriented two-year certificate-granting program.

The Program’s educational goals are to apply psychodynamic principles to clarify clinical problems, define therapeutic goals and guide interventions in the clinician’s practice of psychotherapy. Many practicing clinicians and recent graduates experience the need for post-graduate education to deepen theoretical understanding and sharpen clinical skills. These skills can be applied in the private practice as well as other settings. Didactic seminars and individual clinical supervision are the avenues through which these educational goals are achieved.

Eligibility

The Program is open to mental health professionals from psychiatry, psychology, social work, counseling and psychiatric nursing. All participants in The Program must be licensed and/or certified to practice psychotherapy in the State of Illinois and have malpractice insurance coverage for the psychotherapy practices. Copies of license and insurance coverage must be provided upon acceptance into The Program.

Format

A theory track, to study contemporary models of the therapeutic process.
A clinical track to systematically explore the clinical exchange.
Individual clinical case supervision from experienced practicing psychoanalysts. Supervision fees are included in the tuition.

Faculty

All seminars and supervision sessions are taught by members of the faculty of The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis.

Schedule

Classes begin in late September or early October and meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

The academic year consists of three 11 week quarters.

Curriculum

First Year:

Psychoanalytic Theory Applied to the Practice of Psychotherapy

Fall:       Classical Theory I:
               Core Psychoanalytic Concepts (therapeutic alliance,
               transference, countertransference, the dynamic
               unconscious, regression, interpretation, working
               through, etc.)

Winter: Self Psychology Theory I:
The Theoretical and Clinical Model of Heinz Kohut

Spring: Object Relations Theory I:
Melanie Klein, Bion, Fairbairn, and Winnicott

First Year Clinical Case Conference*

Second Year:

Fall:       Classical Theory II:
               Classic case histories, developmental theory,
               structure and conflict

Winter:   Self Psychology Theory II:
               Post-Kohut theory (intersubjectivity, motivational systems,
               affect regulation)

Spring:   Object Relations Theory II:
               Post-Kleinian theory (Winnicott 2, Kernberg, Summers,
               Gunderson, Fonagy)

Second Year Clinical Case Conference*

*Clinical Case Conference integrates the theories of technique and models of the mind with clinical practice. Issues to be considered will include:

Initiating the treatment
Developing a treatment alliance, and
Special issues of therapeutic impasse

After completing the two-year certificate program, an optional third year is available, including theory and clinical seminars, as well as weekly case supervision.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is $3,000 per year, which includes weekly individual supervision sessions throughout the academic year. Tuition is due at the beginning of each quarter and may be paid in installments, as follows:

            September of academic year
                        $1,000

            January of academic year
                        $1,000

            April of academic year
                        $1,000

A $30 fee will be assessed each year for full use of PEP-Web, the online Psychoanalytic Electronic Publishing service of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Students who satisfactorily complete The Program requirements will be awarded the “Certificate of Advanced Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.”

Privileges and Benefits

Students enrolled in The Program will have access to The Institute’s McLean Library, containing one of the largest collections of psychoanalytic literature in the world. They are also invited to participate in the lively Institute Research Seminars, held every Wednesday from; 1:30 to 2:45pm, where local and visiting professionals present works in progress. Students are encouraged to participate in The Institute’s many educational activities and to attend the monthly scientific meeting of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Society. In addition, all students and graduates are eligible for membership in the Psychotherapy Associates of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Application Process

For an application or additional information, please contact Ms. Christine Susman at 312-922-7474 or by email at csusman@chicagoanalysis.org

You may also download the application by clicking here.
The reference letter form is also available here.

A completed application form, application fee of $50, credentials, and two letters of reference must be received by August 15. Each applicant will also have a personal interview.

Accreditation

Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians and takes responsibility for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity. The American Psychoanalytic Association designates each educational activity for a maximum of 100 hours in category one credit towards the Physicians Recognition Award.

Psychologists: The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists and maintains responsibility for this program.

Social Workers: The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis is approved as a continuing education sponsor for social workers by the Department of Professional Regulations of the State of Illinois. The Institute designates each continuing education activity as earning a maximum of 100 hours Continuing Education for Social Workers.

Professional Counselors: The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis is approved as a continuing education sponsor for Professional Counselors and Clinical Professional Counselors by the Department of Professional Regulations of the State of Illinois. The Institute designates each continuing educational activity as earning a maximum of 100 hours Continuing Education credit.

Testimonials

“The Chicago Institute Adult Psychotherapy Training Program has exceeded all my expectations. Over the course of the training, I have developed a deeper understanding of essential psycho-dynamic theory and its implementation over a course of treatment. I have been particularly impressed with the small class size and individual attention afforded each student. The convenience of on-site supervision allows me to maintain a full-time private practice while meeting supervisory requirements for the completion of the program.”

Blake Hamilton, LCSW
Private Practice

“The certificate program in Adult Psychotherapy offered a chance for me to immerse in theoretical readings, with the added benefit of class discussion and case consultation to further my process.   My classmates were a mix of master’s level licensed clinicians, doctoral psychologists and psychiatrists – all interested in learning more about how to practice psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy. I value the mentorship and collegiality I found at the Institute. In supervision, there was the chance to work in consultation with an Analyst, following one or two cases closely on a weekly basis. In clinical seminars, we would share our work, giving all of us an opportunity to broaden our view of various clinical situations and look at material with a complexity that is not available when one is working solo or simply reading about cases. I value my two years in the program not only for the wealth of knowledge I acquired, but for the chance to be situated in an environment wherein I could further develop my professional self.”

Paige LaCava, LCPC

"I have greatly benefited from my time in the Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program. I have enjoyed the courses, readings and instruction, and coming together weekly with my fellow students who work in a variety of clinical settings and offer many valuable perspectives that have contributed to my professional growth. The instructors offer a breadth of knowledge and diverse clinical experience. Further, I have received outstanding supervision from highly regarded analysts. I feel that this program has strengthened my clinical skills and I am enjoying my work more than ever."

Jamie Pasquale, PsyD

"This Program proved to be an invaluable experience both personally and professionally. It enabled me to broaden and organize my psychoanalytic understanding theoretically and clinically, leading to a deepening of treatment with my patients. Upon Program completion, I further enrolled in an optional year of courses to pursue more extensive educational goals as well as to maintain the advantage of being connected to the Institute. This Program should be a mandatory element in continuing education for all mental health professionals engaged in psychotherapeutic services."

Tammy Sopper Segovia, LCSW

“This is an excellent program. It combines both psychoanalytic theory and practical clinical experience that has expanded and strengthened my abilities as a psychotherapist. The personal supervision outside of class is invaluable, and the instructors in class are enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. The most surprising and rewarding aspect has been the camaraderie and support of my fellow students. I would highly recommend this program to any mental health professional who does psychotherapy."

Brett C. Plyler, M.D.
Private Practice, Psychiatry
Graduate, Rush University General Psychiatry Program

The Institute for Psychoanalysis admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.