Adult Psychoanalytic Program

The Institute of the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia is an approved training institute of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Program Overview

The Adult Psychoanalytic Training Program integrates contemporary and traditional psychoanalytic perspectives and leads to clinical expertise grounded in a solid foundation of psychoanalytic theory. 

The program has three core objectives: to further the development of psychoanalysis based on the discoveries and insights of Sigmund Freud, to advance psychoanalytic education and research, and to offer a contemporary education with increased clinical depth and enrichment in psychoanalytic theory and practice in accord with the training standards of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

The curriculum integrates a Modern Classical perspective on psychoanalytic theory with the more recent contributions of Self Psychology, Trauma Theory, and Relational Theory. The structure of the education is predicated on the concept of clinical immersion: candidates are urged to coordinate the timing of their personal analysis, didactic instruction, and supervised clinical experiences, in order to facilitate the synergistic integration of the complex body of knowledge and experience which represents contemporary psychoanalysis.

Candidates are also Affiliate Members in the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia and are encouraged to become active participants in the many programs of the Center. Candidate benefits include:

  • Eligibility to vote at Members’ Meetings (Clinical Candidates only)
  • Inclusion in Find A Therapist online search portal (Clinical Candidates only)
  • Opportunity for referrals from Consultation and Referral Service (Clinical Candidates only)
  • Personal PEP Web access
  • CE/CME credits from PCOP-sponsored activities at no additional cost
  • Basic Benefits

Candidates are also invited to apply for Affiliate Membership in the American Psychoanalytic Association. Upon graduation, candidates then become full members of the Center. They also become members of the American and are eligible to apply for certification in psychoanalysis by the American’s Board on Professional standards.