Child Psychoanalytic Training Program Curriculum

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The observation and understanding of child development is basic to all study in psychoanalysis. For this reason we believe that all involved in psychoanalytic training benefit by participation in child psychoanalytic training.

Seminars involve a four-year revolving sequence. Each academic year consists of three 11-week trimesters.

The program involves an integrated curriculum of study designed to impart a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of theory and process and technique of child analysis.

The didactic seminars involve a four-year revolving sequence. Each academic year consists of three 11-week trimesters. The first trimester consisting of didactic classes, the second trimester focusing on clinical cases, and the third trimester is a continuous case conference.

First Year – Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis;

  • Evaluation of children and adolescents for analysis
  • Evaluation of the parents of a child being considered for analysis
  • Conversion of psychotherapy to psychoanalysis
  • Issues in the opening phase of analysis
  • Transference considerations in the opening phase
  • Countertransference issues in the opening phase
  • The transference/countertransference dynamics in the opening phase
  • Working with parents

Second Year – Prelatency

  • Technique | Theory | Developmental issues | Psychopathology

Third Year – Latency

  • Technique | Theory | Developmental issues | Psychopathology

Fourth Year – Adolescence

  • Technique | Theory | Developmental issues | Psychopathology

In addition, Candidates who are enrolled in the Child Psychoanalytic Training Program will be required to complete additional courses in the Adult Psychoanalytic Training Program Curriculum.

Human Development

Candidates will study development throughout the life cycle, including the development of the drives, object relations, the self, and tripartite structure (ego, id, and superego). The developmental sequence is chronological, with infancy first and old age last.

Case Conferences

Child Candidates participate in two integrated case conferences and one adult case conference per academic year.