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Certificate in Psychoanalysis

The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis offers a course of study leading to certification in psychoanalysis. Requirements for certification include the completion of 36 theoretical and clinical case seminars, three supervised analyses, a personal analysis, and a final integrative graduation project. While similar to other analytic training programs in these requirements, ours is unique in two ways. First, we invite outstanding psychoanalysts from throughout the United States (and occasionally from abroad) to teach in their area of expertise. Second, our curriculum, while presenting a sound grounding in fundamentals, is designed each academic year to include both topical ideas and educators whose work is of interest to our current candidate group.

Elements of the Program

Admission Requirements

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Previous Courses

Elements of the Training Program

Theoretical and Clinical Case Seminars

The CCP curriculum is designed to provide courses and seminars in a systematic manner for completion over a period of five or more years. Because contemporary psychoanalysis, irrespective of variations in its current practice, rests solidly upon the foundation of Freud's thought, candidates are expected to take a minimum of two courses focused on Freud's seminal writings. The teaching of contemporary approaches to psychoanalysis, such as object relations, self psychological, Kleinian, developmental and attachment theories, as well as intersubjective, relational and feminist approaches, builds upon this classical foundation.

Courses are usually presented in one of two twelve-hour formats: a weekly or biweekly two-hour meeting, generally in the evening, with local faculty; or an intensive three-day weekend seminar for which instructors especially qualified in their subject matter are invited to Chicago to teach. The weekend courses usually meet for two hours on a Friday evening (7-9pm), six hours on Saturday (9am-1pm, lunch from 1-2:30pm, class continuing 2:30-4:30pm) and four hours on Sunday morning (9am-1pm). In both formats, classes usually involve discussion of assigned readings and related clinical material.

Along with the two Freud courses, a further two of the 36 required courses must be case conferences, in which the clinical work of candidates is presented and discussed more intensively than in the didactic seminars. Candidates are also required to take one seminar each in the following topics: the Opening Phase of Analysis, the Middle and Termination Phases, Transference/counter-transference, Development, and Ethics. These courses will not be offered every year, and candidates should plan accordingly. (Before beginning a supervised case, candidates must take one course on the Opening phase of Analysis - see below.)

The academic year begins in September and ends in June. There are no classes held in July or August.

Candidates may begin their coursework immediately upon acceptance into the program. They must enroll in a minimum of three courses per year. Given the quality of CCP candidates, performance is evaluated on the basis of attendance only; no grades are given. CCP course offerings are determined by the Curriculum Committee, which consists of graduates, candidates and board members.

Personal Analysis

Each candidate is expected to have completed a minimum of two years of personal analysis or at least two years of psychoanalytic psychotherapy prior to admission to the program. Applicants accepted into the program without a completed or ongoing analysis must make a commitment to start personal psychoanalytic work during the first year of class work. It is assumed that candidates will use their personal analyses to inform their course work and clinical practice, and that they will continue their personal analyses as they see fit over the course of their training. Once candidates are accepted into the program, their personal analyses are considered strictly their private concerns. Inquiries on the part of CCP regarding the candidate's personal analysis are based only on the need to know that the candidate has begun the work and will take seriously this personal requirement.

Supervised Cases and Supervision

Candidates locate analytic cases through outside or CCP referral, or through the conversion of existing psychotherapy cases. To meet graduation requirements, candidates must see each patient at least three times per week for 280 hours or more. Supervisors can be selected from CCP's established roster, or can be proposed to the Progression Committee. It is part of the training program that candidates experience supervision with three individuals whose approaches to psychoanalysis will differ.

Before beginning a supervised case, candidates are required to take one seminar on the Opening Phase of Analysis and must have completed at least one year of a personal analysis and one year of didactic work.

Candidates meet weekly for individual supervision for the first and second training cases, but they may meet less frequently with their supervisors to discuss the third case. Telephone supervision may be considered for the third case. Candidates are required to complete at least 70 hours of supervision per case. Prior to beginning a supervised case, candidates are asked to meet with their Progression Advisors. It is the candidate's responsibility to contact the Progression Committee/Advisor to arrange for this discussion.

Once the required hours have been met (70 supervisory hours and 280 clinical hours, per case), regular weekly or bi-weekly supervision is no longer necessary; however, candidates are still required to continue some form of supervision until completion of the training program. This may include less frequent supervision with the same or a different supervisor, peer supervision, or supervision with a CCP graduate or board member. Candidates should discuss their individual plans with their Progression Advisors.

The Evaluation of Progression

Progression, as a process, is developmental in nature, expectably revealing a widening understanding of psychoanalytic concepts and an increasing comfort and proficiency in technique. CCP takes seriously its responsibility to evaluate and monitor a candidate's process, relying primarily on three occasions: first, at the time of admissions, to evaluate an individual's potential for success in the training program; second, when a candidate begins a supervised analysis, to determine his or her readiness for a first or additional analytic responsibility; and third, when a candidate has met all the requirements for graduation, to assess his or her readiness for certification as a psychoanalyst under the auspices of CCP.

The criteria for evaluating CCP candidates arise directly from CCP's mission to educate and to facilitate each candidate's development by broadening his or her analytic sensitivities. The evaluation process is comprehensive and, at times, necessarily subjective, specific, and personal. A candidate's personal analysis, however, is not evaluated in any way, nor is the candidate's participation in coursework. Credit is granted on the basis of attendance during each 12-hour course. Under special circumstances, a minimum of 9 hours in attendance may be allowed for credit.

Each candidate's progression is documented through a series of reports, including case opening, closing, completion of clinical and supervisory hours, and an application for the final graduation project. In addition to these reports, which document the candidate's progression through the training program, there are two additional reports required for each active supervised case. First, each supervisor completes a simple annual report with comments on the candidate's progress. Second, following the completion of 100 clinical hours and, again after 200 hours, the candidate writes a clinical report, descriptive and narrative in format. This procedure is required for each of the three supervisory cases.

It is the hope of the Progression Committee that the writing of these reports and the subsequent discussion between candidate and supervisor will further the candidate's personal and professional growth. This annual requirement reflects CCP's belief in its responsibility to participate in the educational process of every candidate, just as it wishes to provide a serious curriculum of study.

All forms and guidelines for the annual reports are available for download and printing through the Members Area of the CCP website. Directions for submission of the reports are also included.

The Integrative Graduation Project

This concluding project, generally undertaken following the completion of the other requirements, represents the integrative culmination of the candidate's training. Because it is intended to offer the candidate the opportunity to create an optimal educational experience, there is considerable flexibility as to its format. Thus, the final project may take the more traditional form of a case presentation, an article, essay, or research study; or it may be created in an alternative format. This project serves as an indication of the candidate's ability to contribute to the professional world. The final proposal and project must be reviewed by a committee of three psychoanalysts chosen by the candidate from among current and past board members, supervisors, faculty, and graduates of CCP.

Requirements for Graduation

Candidates must meet the following requirements for graduation:

1. Accumulation of 36 credit hours.
2. Analyses of three patients, with each analysis lasting at least 280 consecutive hours, meeting at least three times per week.
3. Completion of at least 70 hours of supervision for each of the three cases.
4. Completion of an integrative graduation project and its review by a three-member committee of psychoanalysts chosen by the candidate from among current or past board members, graduates, and supervisors.

Requirements for Admission to the Training Program

The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis attempts to offer psychoanalytic training to the greatest number and variety of qualified applicants. Thus, its admissions requirements are deliberately both flexible as to prior organizational recognition and experience as well as stringent in regard to clinical competence. Requirements include:

1. State licensure in a mental health field, e.g., PhD, PsyD, MD, LCSW, LCPC.
2. Coverage by valid and current malpractice insurance.
3. Clinical experience beyond licensure in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
4. Two years of personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy or one year of a personal psychoanalysis.

Once accepted, candidates who have not begun a personal analysis must do so before the beginning of their first CCP class. We encourage interested applicants who do not fully meet all of these requirements to consult with us about future participation in CCP.

Application Procedure

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements set forth above, each applicant for admission must complete an application for admission, which you may download, print, and mail to:

Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis

c/o Betty Melton & Associates

6912 Main St., Suite 10

Downers Grove, IL 60516

Please include the following with your application:

1. A biographical statement, including a personal history and a statement of your motivations for deciding to become a psychoanalyst.
2. Your Curriculum Vitae.
3. A copy of your state license.
4. A copy of the cover page of your malpractice insurance and, if relevant, a detailed statement of claims made.
5. A non-refundable fee of $100. After your application has been received and reviewed, you will be contacted in order to arrange personal interviews with at least three members of the CCP Admissions Committee or Board of Directors.

Admissions decisions are made by the full Board of Directors or its Executive Committee, based on recommendations by the Admissions Committee. Applicants to CCP will be contacted via mail by the Director of Administration. After acceptance, candidates should enroll for courses for the current year and submit payment prior to the start of their first course.

Download Application Form

Applicants with previous training in psychoanalysis

Applicants with previous psychoanalytic training from other psychoanalytic institutes should follow the admissions requirements and procedures as stated above, but include, if relevant, the following:

1. A request to waive specific requirements for training, with a description of the experience to be credited.
2. Documentation of previous supervised cases.
3. A transcript for previously completed psychoanalytic course work. This transcript must be prepared by the institution where the training was obtained, signed by the authorized personnel, and stamped with the seal of the school or notarized. Two of the applicant's three reference letters should address the applicant's previous academic and clinical work.

Part-time Enrollment

CCP prefers that candidates enroll for courses on a full-time (7 courses per year) basis, in order to provide the greatest continuity and immersion in the program. However, because some candidates are limited as to time and money, candidates may enroll part-time as needed. Part-time candidates must enroll for a minimum of two courses per year.

Tuition and Registration Fees

The Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for educational and scientific purposes. Tuition for each year is determined by the projected yearly expenses for instructors, administrative services, and curriculum material divided by the number of students in attendance that year; thus, annual tuition may vary from year to year. Tuition for each course is typically between $800 and $900. In addition to tuition, each candidate is expected to pay an annual registration fee of $100. Book, journal, and materials fees are not included in tuition, although photocopied reading material may be provided to candidates enrolled in some courses.

Tuition must be paid in full before classes begin each quarter. The annual registration fee is due at the time of registration, on July 15th of each year, prior to the beginning of the first academic quarter. Failure to remit payment may result in the loss of course credit and place candidacy in jeopardy.

On rare occasions when an outstanding teacher may become unexpectedly available, previously unscheduled seminars may be added to the curriculum.

Tuition is not refundable. If a student is dropped for cause by the CCP Board, tuition for courses paid for but not yet taken may be refunded at the discretion of the Board. Courses may be added beyond the July 15th registration deadline as space permits, with payment due upon registration.

All applicants &mdash full time, part time, and applicants with previous training &mdash must complete the application form.

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2010-2011 Schedule Available

The 2010-2011 seminar schedule for the Certificate in Psychoanalysis is now available.

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October 15, 2010

Gila Ofer, PhD
The Individual, the Interpersonal, and the Social: Readings in Winnicott and Bion

November 12, 2010

Deborah Luepnitz, PhD
Devotion and Desire: Working with Winnicott and Lacan

March 11, 2011

Ann-Louise Silver, MD
Treatment of Severely Regressed Patients

April 8, 2011

Neville Symington, PhD
The Source of Sanity and a Pattern of Madness

May 13, 2011

Jane Gallop, PhD
Gender, Sexuality, Psychoanalysis

Nothing human is alien to me.
Terence