This comprehensive two-year program, established in 1981, offers beginning clinicians a foundation in psychodynamic theory and practice. Tuition includes courses and both individual and group supervision with a certified psychoanalyst of the AIP. Graduates receive a certificate in psychodynamic psychotherapy and are eligible to apply to the Certificate Training Program in Psychoanalysis.
Curriculum
Classes are held on Tuesday evenings, 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm at the AIP, and occasionally, at the instructor’s office.
First Year Courses
- Psychodynamics I (12 Sessions)Learn MoreThis course is designed to provide an introduction to psychoanalytic theory in general, and to Karen Horney’s theory in particular, and to help students become aware of unconscious dynamics and character structure. Lectures and clinical workshops are employed.
- Clinical Assessment (8 Sessions)Learn MoreThis course is designed to provide a grasp of the fundamentals of diagnosis and evaluation for treatment modalities. Material is presented from both a psychiatric and psychoanalytic perspective. The format combines lectures and clinical material.
- Human Development (6 Sessions)Learn MoreThe purpose of this course is to begin to familiarize students with various theories of human development. The emphasis is on how issues in development impact on psychopathology and health.
- Principles of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (12 Sessions)Learn MoreThe purpose of this course is to help students learn some of the underlying philosophies of treatment and the basic principles and techniques that evolve out of these. The emphasis is on the application of these techniques to students’ work with their patients.
Second Year Courses
- The Psychotherapeutic Relationship (12 Sessions)Learn MoreThe therapeutic relationship is a key element in the psychotherapeutic process. This course focuses on the beginning connection between patient and therapist and covers the process of identifying and utilizing transference and counter-transference phenomena. There is class participation with the presentation of case material.
- Psychodynamics II (12 Sessions)Learn MoreThis course covers some of the main ideas found in Karen Horney’s last book, Neurosis and Human Growth. Clinical material is used for discussion and illustration.
- Countertransference and Termination (12 Sessions)Learn MoreThis course is organized for the discussion of practical clinical issues and the consolidation of material previously covered.
Clinical Experience
Each psychodynamic psychotherapy student is required to see five hours of adult patients per week in individual psychodynamic treatment in the Karen Horney Clinic.
Supervision
Two group supervisory experiences, one in each year of the program, provide guidance and mentorship as well as the benefits of peer group participation and feedback concerning clinical work. Two individual supervisors, one in each year of the program, provide intensive guidance and teaching regarding clinical work. Group and individual supervisions meet weekly throughout the year.
Personal Psychotherapy
Personal psychodynamic psychotherapy is an essential requirement of the program. Students already in therapy may remain with current therapists upon approval of the Training Committee. Others are required to be in therapy with a graduate analyst of the AIP.
Electives
In order to receive elective credit students may attend Friday Case Conferences, Journal and Book Clubs, Scientific Meetings or approved psychoanalytic conferences and meetings of the larger psychoanalytic community. Second year psychodynamic psychotherapy students may also audit junior courses in the psychoanalytic program (with the instructor’s permission) and receive elective credit.
Tuition and Fees
There is one comprehensive tuition fee which covers all required courses and supervisions. For the 2021 – 2022 academic year the fee is $5000. Fees for psychotherapy are arranged privately with each therapist.
Requirements for Admission
- Master’s degree in social work.
- Master’s degree in psychiatric nursing.
- Master’s degree in mental health counseling.
- Graduate school placement in which individual and/or group psychotherapy was conducted.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit an AIP Application for Training [click below for application].
Applicants also need to submit:
- a $150 non-refundable application fee,
- an up to date curriculum vitae, and
- three letters of reference.
The letters of reference can be from former supervisors, teachers, or other professionals who are familiar with your work. All such letters must be on official letterhead and signed. Applicants will be interviewed by two AIP faculty and the Executive Director of the Karen Horney Clinic.
The deadline for submission of the application materials is June 15 for the program starting in September.
For further information, contact the Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Kenneth Winarick, (917) 369-1721