The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis

The Analytic Service to Adolescents Progam

Changing Lives, Creating Opportunity

The Analytic Service to Adolescents Progam (ASAP) is a joint treatment and research project of the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis and Morton Alternative High School in Cicero. Students have come to Morton Alternative High School after expulsion from the area high schools for violent and gang related behaviors. ASAP provides in-school psychoanalytic individual and group psychotherapy to students, and ongoing consultation with teachers, staff and parents.

Now in its fourth year, ASAP has treated over twenty students individually in psychotherapy, and approximately 140 students in group psychotherapy. In addition, over eighty parents have participating in evening dinner programs that include a presentation and discussion of the challenges of parenting adolescents.

ASAP is currently being replicated in southwest Michigan at Saugatuck High School, and in New York City at the George Jackson Academy. For more information about creating an ASAP in your area, please contact Mark Smaller (marksmaller@gmail.com).

ASAP Staff

Mark D. Smaller, Ph.D., Founding Director; Psychoanalyst
Dave Myles, M.A., Associate Director; Clinical Social Worker, Therapist
Sue Gass, M.A., Clinical Social Worker, Therapist
Matt Landa, M.A., Clinical Social Worker, Parent Coordinator
Nancy Marks, M.A.; Clinical Social Worker (Volunteer)

Supporters: The Arthur Foundation; The American Psychoanalytic Foundation; The Bari Lipp Foundation; individual donors

ASAP is funded through the generosity of foundation grant support and individual donors. To make a contribution, please contact Eleanor Wolfe, Development Coordinator, at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis; or Mark Smaller, Ph.D. (marksmaller@gmail.com).

Publications

Smaller, M. (2007). "Psychoanalysis in the Streets: The Analytic Service to Adolescents Project." The American Psychoanalyst, Volume 40, #4.

Upcoming and Recent Presentations

Smaller, M. (2009) "Self Psychology and the 'Forward Edge' Hits the Streets: The Analytic Service to Adolescents Program." 32nd Annual International Conference on the Psychology of the Self; Chicago, October, 2009.

Smaller, M. (2008) "Keeping the Self Alive: Psychoanalytic Perspective on Self Destructive Behavior in Adolescents: Strategies for Teachers, Staff and Therapists." Lorman Educational Services, Schamburg, IL.