The Educational Program
The educational program of the Institute includes the training analysis, a sequence of courses in psychoanalytic theory and technique, and supervised clinical work. All candidates are encouraged to attend and participate in the scientific meetings of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis - please see here for details.
Training Analysis
To be eligible to begin first-year courses in September, a candidate will ideally have been in analysis with a training analyst at least since the previous October; there is flexibility in this requirement, with variations based on individual circumstances. All newly admitted candidates, including those transferring from other Institutes, are required by the American Psychoanalytic Association to be in psychoanalysis with a training analyst of this Institute. Where required by geographic considerations, we will assist the candidate in making other arrangements.
A successful training analysis is fundamental to the candidate's training and a required achievement, but the training analysis is entirely confidential and the training analyst does not report to the Institute, except for the start date and completion date. A high degree of character stability and maturity are essential goals of the training analysis. The achievement by the candidate of a level of personality functioning suitable to a career in the practice of psychoanalysis will be assessed by the candidate's supervised analyses, case presentations, and participation in Institute seminars. It is generally expected that a considerable portion of the candidate's supervised clinical work will be concurrent with the training analysis.
Courses in Theory and Technique
The basic four-year curriculum consists of a required graduated series of lectures and seminars covering the theory and technique of psychoanalysis. The required and advanced courses are described in the Curriculum section.
Supervised Clinical Work
A major component of the training program is the conduct of psychoanalysis by a candidate with consultative supervision by Supervising Analysts, in accord with the requirements of the American Psychoanalytic Association. These requirements include the creditable analysis of a minimum of three adult patients, at least one of each gender. For candidates in the Child/Adolescent Analytic Program, the minimum is two adult patients and three child patients.
"Supervision" means weekly individual discussion of a single analytic case. It is a collegial mentoring experience through which the candidate learns how to apply his or her developing knowledge of theory and technique within the clinical relationship. Fees for supervision are generally much reduced from the supervisors' usual fee, according to a formula that is linked to the fee paid to the candidate for the supervised case.
The Psychoanalytic Clinic
The Psychoanalytic Clinic offers psychoanalysis at reduced fees. (The Clinic's telephone number is (202.337.1617.) These analyses are conducted by members of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis, including candidates in the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. To gain the privilege of treating patients under Clinic auspices, an analyst or candidate applies for appointment as a Clinic Associate, which requires a valid license to practice a mental health profession and professional liability insurance.
Supervised psychoanalytic evaluation and psychoanalytic treatment of Clinic patients is a major part of the Institute's educational program.
Memberships and Affiliations
Candidates automatically become Active, voting members of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis upon matriculation and remain so, with a full waiver of dues, while enrolled in good standing in the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. Information on the benefits of membership can be found here.
Candidates and graduates benefit in many ways from our affiliation with the George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and other joint programs with GWU.
Candidates are eligible to join the American Psychoanalytic Association as voting members. Upon graduation, they may also join the International Psychoanalytical Association as voting members, and they may apply for certification by the American Psychoanalytic Association.
