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Curriculum

ENTRANCE LEVEL COURSES

R101 Psychoanalytic Theory of
Human Development I
This course introduces the student to the theories of normal child development, including the study of instinct theory, separation individuation, self and object-representation and ego and superego development. The affective relationship between the child and his/her environment is emphasized.

R102 Psychoanalytic Theory of
Human Development II
This course is a continuation of Psychoanalytic Theory of Human Development I.

R103 Psychopathology I: Borderline
This course focuses on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the
borderline personality disorder. Topics covered include the particular manifestations of resistance, transference reactions and countertransference in clinical work with people with borderline personality organizations. Different theories about the borderline syndrome are examined and compared.

R104 Psychopathology II: Psychosis
This course focuses on the pathology of the psychoses. Course content
includes a range of theoretical models, clinical examples of psychotic communication, transference, countertransference, regression and psychotic identifications.

R105 Dream Analysis I
This course focuses on Freudian and post-Freudian theory and technique of dream analysis. Clinical material is discussed with an emphasis on understanding and using dream imagery as symbolic communications about the patient’s internal, unconscious and preconscious world.

R106 Basic Clinical Concepts I
This course addresses the basic concepts pf psychoanalytic psychotherapy as they apply to clinical work, focusing on early engagement, the working alliance, resistance, transference, countertransference and interventions.

R107 Basic Clinical Concepts II
This course is a continuation of Basic Clinical Concepts I.

R108 Case Seminar I
This course provides students with an opportunity to present cases in a group format. Basic clinical concepts of transference, countertransference, resistance, diagnosis and technique are discussed in the context of case presentations.

R109 Case Seminar II
This course is a continuation of Case Seminar I.

R110 Object Relations I
This course focuses primarily on the contributions of the English object relations theorists, such as M. Klein, Fairbairn,Winnicott, Guntrip, and others. Theoretical and clinical material are integrated, with emphasis on treatment implications.

R111 Object Relations II
This course follows Object Relations I and includes the contributions of the American object relations theorists, such as Masterson, Horner, Kernberg, Balint, Sutherland, and others.Where relevant, the course compares the two schools of object relations theory.

R113 Freud I
This course presents basic Freudian theory through an in-depth study of selected major writings of Sigmund Freud.

R114 Freud II
This course includes a selection of Freud's major later writings (from 1923 on). Topics covered include: structural theory, the death instinct, theory of anxiety and man's relation to society.

R115 Symbolization and Creativity
This course explores the symbolization processes at work in unconscious fantasies, symptom formation, trauma and creativity. It explores ways of working with symbolization in treatment.

R116 Psychoaesthetics Approach to Depth Theory
This course offers, in workshop format, an intensive investigation of psychoanalytic theory and technique as experienced through a variety of expressive modalities, i.e. art, role playing and non-verbal communication. Significant issues highlighted are transference and countertransference, resistance, ego ideal formation and identity conflict resolution.

ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES

R201 Neurosis
This course focuses on the mechanisms and features which characterize symptom and character neurosis.The relationship between diagnosis and treatment is examined , using Freud's formulations and the contributions of later theorists.Topics addressed include anxiety states, hysteria, obsession and compulsion, defenses and Oedipal conflict.

R202 Character Pathology
This course differentiates character pathologies from the neuroses and other pathologies, integrating theory and clinical applications. Topics discussed include ego-syntonic character traits, resistance, transference and countertransference and technique.

R203 Transference and Countertransference I
This course focuses on classical and current psychoanalytic concepts of transference.Topics include induced countertransference, hate in the countertransference,working with positive and negative transference, self-object transference and regression. The course addresses the problems and creative uses of countertransference, integrating theory with clinical practice.

R204 Transference and Countertransference II
This course is a continuation of Countertransference I.

R205 Resistance I
This course focuses on classical and current psychoanalytic concepts of resistance manifestations in the treatment situation, beginning with the formulations of Sigmund Freud and continuing with theorists as Anna Freud, Fairbairn, Glover, Reich, and Spotnitz.

R 206 Resistance II
This course is a continuation of Resistance I, with emphasis on the relationship between character pathology and resistance and on the interpretation of resistance as non-verbal symbolic communication.

R207 Case Seminar III
This course follows one student’s case over an eight week period. It affords the class an opportunity to closely examine interventions, to study process together and to identify themes as they develop and manifest over an extended period.

R208 Narcissism and Self Psychology
This course presents the psychoanalytic theories of narcissism, including the formulations of Sigmund Freud, and emphasizing the work of Kohut and other self psychology theorists as Stolorow.Topics addressed include self-object transference dynamics, the role of countertransference, self experiencing and the meaning of empathy and empathic capability.

R209 Reading Course in Winnicott
This course studies the creative contributions of D.W.Winnicott to psychoanalytic theory and treatment. It focuses on the uses of play, illusion and transitional space, with treatment implications for integrating psychoanalytic technique with the expressive modalities.

R210 Developing Therapeutic Artistry Within an Analytic Stance
This course explores, in workshop format, subjective and artistic factors in therapy such as timing, structure, tone, emotional closeness or distance, rhythm, and style of delivery in making interpretive interventions.

R211 Case Presentation Seminar
This course offers advanced students the opportunity to present cases with a focus on conceptualization, formal organization of case material and integration of theory with clinical material.

R212 Reading Course In Jung
This course presents basic Jungian analytic theory through didactic and experiential methodology. Major theoretical writings of C.G. Jung and other writers will be studied. Theory presented will be grounded by clinical examples.

R213 Working With Trauma
Most patients present with some degree of trauma, even if not always initially articulated or diagnosed. This course will define what’s come to be called little t and big T trauma and explore core dynamics of trauma survivors, treatment techniques, and key concepts in understanding psychological trauma in adult populations. Utilizing interpersonally-mediated trauma, e.g. sexual abuse, as a primary model, the course will be taught from a contemporary relational perspective. Attachment and intersubjectivity theory as well as contributions from neuroscience will also be considered and combined with selected readings from the classic trauma literature. Class discussion and student presentations will be integrated throughout the course in order to allow for application of theory to case.

R214 Research and Ethics
This course is both an experiential and critical investigation of the ethics and methodology of psychoanalytic research and a comprehensive, didactic and clinical course on ethical questions and standards of treatment in the therapeutic relationship.

R215 Reading Course in A Major Theorist
This course will focus on the work of one major psychoanalytic theorist.The writings of related theorists will be covered and the class will include both didactic and clinical material.Theorists include: Klein, Bion,Mitchell, Ferenczi, Loewald, and others.

R216 Dream Analysis II
This course focuses on post-Freudian contributions to dream theory.Topics covered include contemporary emphasis on manifest content, primary process, initial dreams and the dream context. Clinical material will be presented in conjunction with theoretical readings.

R217 Contemporary Perspectives I-Relational Psychoanalysis:
Tracing its origins from classical Freudian and post-Freudian thinking, this course will define and provide an overview of relational theory and its impact on psychoanalytic technique. Readings-classic, pioneering works as well as newer pieces-, class discussions, and student presentations will be utilized to explore concepts such as intersubjectivity, the analytic third, hierarchy, enactments, race, gender and sexual orientation. The broad implications of a relational approach will be examined, particularly with regard to the changes in the way analysts think about and work with countertransference.


R218 Contemporary Perspectives II:
Our view of contemporary psychoanalysis continues as the focus turns to attachment theory, neurobiology, and intersubjectivity theory.

R300 Identification and Reporting of Childhood Abuse and Neglect
This course is a 3 hour seminar that will give you state certification in the regulations and standards for recognition and reporting of child abuse.

R400, 401, 402, 403 Final Case Research Paper I, II, III, IV Each student writes a paper on a case while working with a mentor for a minimum of one year. This is the culmination of the program and the final requirement for graduation. Upon completion, students are credited with the equivalent of 4 courses.

ELECTIVES

Students are required to take three electives, which vary from year to year. Electives vary in their focus, but may be based on special populations, explorations of the creative process, or other subjects. Students are encouraged to make their special interests known to the Director of Education, so that appropriate electives can be designed and offered.

Possible Electives: Integrating Expressive Therapies with Psychoanalysis, Neurobiology, Sado-Masochism, Alchemy, Object Relations and Spirituality, Poetics and Countertransference, Culture in the Psychoanalytic Space, Addiction, History of Psychoanalysis, Working with Couples.