Psychodynamic Perspectives on Aging is a one-year certificate program designed for clinicians from multidisciplinary backgrounds who provide psychotherapy and related care to older adults. The program offers an in-depth exploration of aging through a psychodynamic lens, with attention to the biological, psychological, social, and familial dimensions of later life.
The curriculum combines didactic learning with clinically grounded discussion. Each session includes an educational presentation followed by psychodynamically oriented dialogue focused on participants’ ongoing clinical work. This structure supports the integration of theory and practice while fostering reflective engagement with the complexities of aging.
Meeting in person one evening per month, the cohort examines major developmental and experiential transitions in older adulthood, including changes in health and functional capacity, memory and cognitive wellness, shifting societal perceptions and biases, and experiences of loss and grief. Particular emphasis is placed on how these transitions shape identity, ego functioning, internal conflict, relationships, and personal narrative.
Sessions are led by faculty and guest contributors from psychiatry, geriatrics, social work, neuropsychology, and psychoanalysis, and are supplemented by contemporary psychodynamic literature to support clinical application.
Benefits of Membership During the Program
Tuition includes SPSI membership, which provides:
- Student discounts at SPSI-sponsored events
- Use of the SPSI Library, the largest psychoanalytic library in the Northwest
- Access to PEP-Web, a vast online database of psychoanalytic journals, books, papers, and other writings
- Notifications of national and international offerings in the field
Application Process
The application for the 2026–27 cohort is currently open until May 1, 2026. The process consists of submitting an application and participating in one to two interviews, where we will discuss your interest in the program, your clinical experiences, and what you hope to gain from participating.
Classes are two hours long and held on the first Thursday of each month from October 2026 to May 2027.
Application fee is $50 and Tuition fee is $800.
You may send your application through this link.
ACCME Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the American Psychoanalytic Association and by Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Statement
The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME’s identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.