PCOP Course Catalog

The Child Integrated Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies Training Program’s four-year curriculum offers candidates a rigorous and creative opportunity to advance their knowledge base, clinical acumen, and develop their own unique identity as a child psychotherapist and/or child psychoanalyst.  The didactic courses are arranged within three tracks including psychoanalytic theory, dynamic development and technique each of which explores a broad range of historical and contemporary child analytic theories and techniques.  This program offers training in both psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.  The first two years are structured so the student can graduate after with a certificate in child psychoanalytic psychotherapy.  Years three and four focus exclusively on the specialized theories and techniques of child psychoanalysis.  Those who choose to continue their education will graduate with certificates in both child psychoanalytic psychotherapy and child psychoanalysis.

The academic year consists of two semesters beginning in September and ending in early June. The small seminar group format allows for in-depth discussions. Classes take place on Wednesdays from 1:30 pm to 4:15 pm. Students and candidates are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of all seminars each semester.

Continuing Medical Education (CME):

These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American Psychoanalytic Association and the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates these Live Activities for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ per session. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters of these CME programs have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Continuing Education for Psychologists (CE):

The Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors (CE):

In accordance with the requirements of the Commonwealth of PA dated 12/23/06 [PA Code: Title 49, Ch. 47-49], The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors recognizes the American Psychological Association (APA) as a preapproved provider of continuing education programs for social workers and clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors in the State of Pennsylvania. The Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education programs.

The child student’s/candidate’s personal psychotherapy or psychoanalysis is a requisite and essential element of our Child Psychoanalytic Program. Goals of a training therapy/analysis include both professional and personal features aiming to deepen one’s capacity for intimacy, work, and play, as well as strengthen one’s experience and understanding of the self. The student’s/candidate’s personal psychotherapy or psychoanalysis is a completely confidential experience between the therapist/analyst and candidate. The Institute is only informed of the start and end dates of treatment and the name of the training analyst.

Child cases can be started at any time with the approval of the Child Progression Committee. Each student/candidate is required to have three control cases: at least one of latency age, one adolescent and including patients of each gender. The candidate will select and meet weekly with an approved child supervisor; one for each case. At least one case must be carried through to a termination experience under supervision in order to be considered for graduation. A pre-latency child experience is highly recommended as a third control case.