Education / Training
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Training Analysis
The foundation of psychoanalytic training is the personal or training analysis. This analysis illuminates unconscious attitudes that might hamper psychoanalytic treatment and facilitates the acquisition of self-analytic skills. Although most training analyses extend beyond four years, the frequency and duration of the analysis are determined by the training analyst and candidate. In accordance with the Minimum Standards of the American Psychoanalytic Association:
- It is recommended that a candidate begin personal analysis before starting the seminars, ideally a year or more prior to matriculation.
- The candidate must be in analysis with a training analyst for a substantial period of time that overlaps with the supervised casework.
- The candidate’s personal analysis is conducted in person at a frequency of four to five times a week through termination, except when special circumstances require a temporary change of frequency.
Curriculum
The psychoanalytic curriculum
encompasses a four-year period; completion of the required supervised and
independent clinical work may require more time. The curriculum is based
on multiple paradigms. Psychoanalytic concepts are reconsidered throughout
the four-year period, building on the student’s increasing experience
and theoretical insights. We invite upper level candidates to participate
in curriculum development. The Center's curriculum is evaluated on an ongoing
basis, reflecting new developments in psychoanalysis and the feedback of
our students and faculty.
The academic year consists of two semesters, or approximately nine months.
Most classes occur in small seminar groups on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to
1:00 PM. Candidates must attend all seminars unless other arrangements have
been made in writing and approved by the Progression Committee. Participation
in the Institute Analysis Conference (IAC) and the Infant Observation Course,
outside of regular seminar hours, is also required.
After the completion of formal seminars, candidates are required to take
two seminars, one theoretical and one case conference, per year until graduation.
Supervised Clinical Work
Each candidate undertakes
supervised clinical work with the authorization of the Progression Committee.
Approval is dependent on the candidate’s total progress in training.
The candidate must demonstrate the capacity to work analytically. After
presenting each case at the Institute Analysis Conference (IAC), a minimum
of 50 supervision hours per case is required. The minimum standards for
graduation require that the candidate treat three supervised psychoanalytic
cases and complete 200 supervision hours total, with three different supervising
analysts. Supervised cases must include both genders and a clinic case.
At least one case should be in the advanced phase of analysis or evidence
successful termination of treatment.
Graduation
The Center's requirements for graduation are in accordance with those established by the Board of Professional Standards of the American Psychoanalytic Association. They include:
- The successful completion of all required courses and seminars
- A personal training analysis
- A minimum of three psychoanalytic control cases
- The presentation of case reports at the IAC, with the approval of supervisors and the Progression Committee, before commencing psychoanalytic treatment
- The completion of the requirements for the Ph.D., Psy.D. or Colloquium
The Center informs the American Psychoanalytic Association about the completion of training. All graduates of the Center are eligible to apply for full membership in the American and the International Psychoanalytic Associations.
The Ph.D.
The Center offers a Doctor
of Philosophy Degree in Psychoanalysis (Ph.D.) for candidates who wish to
develop research skills required for the advancement of psychoanalytic knowledge.
Through course work and guided independent study, students learn the epistemological
foundations of psychoanalytic thought and research techniques applied to
the study of the mind.
The thesis should address a topic in theoretical, applied or clinical psychoanalysis.
It must demonstrate a broad knowledge of psychoanalytic theory and be suitable
for publication in a psychoanalytic journal.
The candidate is encouraged to identify a topic of interest early in the
training experience. Each candidate will select a thesis advisor and two
thesis readers for consultation on the project. The public defense of the
candidate's doctoral research project at a New Center forum is directed
by the chair of the doctoral research committee.
Please consult the brochure for complete details
about degree requirements.
The Psy.D.
The New Center also offers
a Doctor of Psychology in Psychoanalysis (Psy.D.). Candidates for the degree
must complete the full curriculum with excellence and write a thesis that
passes the scrutiny of the doctoral committee. The research methodology
course requirement is waived.
The Center’s Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs have been approved by the Bureau
for Private Postsecondary Vocational Education (BPPVE) of California. Recently,
BPPVE legislation expired without a replacement bill from the State Legislature.
We fully expect this will be remedied within the year. Please consult the
website www.bppve.gov for the most current updates on this legislation.
Please consult the brochure for complete details
about degree requirements.
The Colloquium
The Colloquium is an oral examination of the candidate’s knowledge of psychoanalytic theory and technique. Candidates take the Colloquium in the year following the fourth year of seminars. Two active analytic cases are required to take the Colloquium.