The Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program (CAPPT)
CAPPT is a unique four-year part-time clinically oriented,
psychoanalytic psychotherapy training program. Its focus is to train
professionals in the intensive treatment of children and adolescents who
are experiencing psychological and developmental difficulties.
Today's complex lives demand that psychotherapists develop specific
skills in the understanding of child development and the ability to help
children, parents, and the community. To meet these challenges, CAPPT
has designed a program: (1) to provide comprehensive training in child
diagnosis and psychotherapy for emotionally disturbed children and their
families; (2) to develop in students the capacity to teach, supervise,
and consult in agencies, clinics, and schools; (3) to serve as a model
for the development of similar training programs. CAPPT accepts for
training physicians, psychologists, social workers, and other mental
health professionals who have had experience in working with children
and adolescents.
Unique Features of CAPPT CAPPT is a multidisciplinary
program whose primary focus is on clinical training. When CAPPT began in
1962, it was the first four-year program offering
psychoanalytically-based intensive clinical training in child
psychotherapy. Today it continues to be a leader in Chicago and
throughout the United States.
The faculty consists of both psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic
psychotherapists. CAPPT has served as a model for training programs in
other cities.
In the field of child mental health, CAPPT graduates are esteemed as
psychotherapists, supervisors, consultants, teachers, and
administrators. A number of graduates are also on the faculties of CAPPT
and other Institute programs.
Certification A certificate recognizing competence in the
psychotherapy of children and adolescents is awarded upon completion of
all requirements.
CAPPT Curriculum The objectives of the curriculum are to
provide each student with a sound theoretical approach to diagnosis and
treatment planning; a body of knowledge of psychoanalytic psychology;
and a command of psychotherapeutic techniques for the treatment of
children and adolescents with different types of emotional disorders, as
well as for work with their parents.
Courses are periodically revised and expanded and new courses added
in order to keep abreast of new developments, and to meet the specific
needs of each class. Student representatives participate in curriculum
planning and development.
Basic Curriculum Sequences
Normal Development
In the first year, the course begins
with a discussion of an empathic approach to observation and data
collection, followed by a review of the pregenital phases of
development. The oedipal, latency, and preadolescent phases are covered
in a second course. The psychoanalytic theories of adolescent
development are studied in the final course in this sequence.
Diagnostic Evaluation: Clinical Theory and Practice
The
focus of the first year is on the collection of data from which a
diagnostic formulation can be made. The issues and problems associated
with taking a developmental history from parents and conducting the
assessment of the child are studied in detail. In the second year, the
clinical case conference method is used to further refine skills in
diagnosis and treatment planning.
Developmental Psychopathology
In the first year, the
psychopathology of childhood is presented in overview as well as in
relationship to normal developmental processes. In the second year, the
course focuses on the nature and dynamics of preoedipal disorders.
Psychotherapeutic approaches to these disorders are also covered.
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: Clinical Theory and
Practice
The first year is devoted to an overview of the
principles and techniques of child psychotherapy. The concepts of the
working relationship and the therapeutic alliance, transference and
countertransference, and bringing the treatment to an end are applied to
the psychotherapy of children and adolescents. The second, third, and
fourth years of this sequence consist of clinical case conferences in
which students present a variety of cases in different phases of the
treatment process. In the third year, the clinical case conference is
devoted to the psychotherapy of adolescents and, in the fourth year, to
treatment endings.
Other Courses
Work with Parents
This course deals with the diagnostic
process, the initial interview and ongoing or intermittent contacts with
parents once therapy with the child begins. The indications and
contraindications for therapy for parents as well as family therapy are
studied.
Play, Fantasy and Dreams
This course provides an
introduction to the psychoanalytic understanding of and
psychotherapeutic use of dreams, day dreams, fantasy and play in the
psychotherapy of children and adolescents.
Principles of Supervision and Consultation
The clinical
case conference method is used to teach the principles of supervision
and consultation concerning child and adolescent development.
Self Psychology
This course applies the concepts of self
psychology to the psychotherapy of children and adolescents.
Psychoanalytic Psychology
A historical overview
introducing the student to the work and applications of psychoanalytic
theories, such as those of M. Klein, Winnicott, Bion, et. al.
Special Topics
Parent Loss; The Use of Psychological
Testing; Affect; Inpatient Treatment; Current Literature
Requirements for Admission to the CAPPT Program
Personal psychoanalysis or intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy
completed or well under way. Personal treatment may be obtained either
privately with a psychoanalyst or psychotherapist approved by the
Institute or through the Clinic of the Institute for Psychoanalysis. The
objectives of personal treatment are: (a) to acquire direct experience
of the influence on behavior of the unconscious and the defenses; (b) to
gain sufficient freedom from those emotional conflicts which would
otherwise interfere with one's clinical work; and (c) to overcome
unconscious resistances which would otherwise block learning.
A graduate degree in the mental health or human development field
where there is an emphasis on the clinical theory and technique of
psychotherapy. For example, we accept applications from social workers,
psychologists, pediatricians, psychiatric nurses, counselors, and
educational and speech therapists. We encourage applications from those
who work in educational institutions and social agencies providing
community service.
Previous professional experience working therapeutically with
children and adolescents. Experience in working with adults is
recommended.
Personal suitability for undertaking and completing the program
as evaluated through individual interviews by the Admissions Committee.
The applicant's capacity for learning, motivation for undertaking and
completing the program, and interest in continuing to work with
children, adolescents, and their parents are assessed.
Coverage by adequate malpractice insurance is required.
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